A flight attendant's BMW rental car troubles have gone viral. Now some are saying it perfectly illustrates why certain drivers prefer Japanese reliability over German luxury. CBellamy (@cbellamy2021) documents his frustrating experience with a 2024–2025 BMW 5 Series rental that he says refused to stay in gear in a three-part TikTok series that has garnered more than 213,000 views since being posted on Wednesday. The incident began when CBellamy picked up what he thought was an upgrade from the rental car company. Instead of the smooth luxury experience he expected, he says he found himself stranded in a restaurant parking lot with a BMW that would automatically shift back to park every time he tried to put it in drive or reverse. "This is exactly why I only buy Toyota and Lexus. I literally got a rental car to drive back," CBellamy explains in the first video while demonstrating the problem. "They gave me a BMW 5 Series. You see, this is a 2024, 2025. I cannot get the car in drive or reverse. As soon as I put it in gear, the car jumps right back into park." BMW’s Controversial Safety Systems CBellamy's experience highlights the complexity of modern BMW safety systems, which are designed to prevent accidents but can malfunction in ways that leave drivers stranded. The issue he encountered involves BMW's electronic shifter and its integrated safety protocols. It’s true that BMW has long used electronic (shift-by-wire) gear selectors paired with automatic "Park" logic to prevent roll-away. These changes were accelerated after the 2002–2008 BMW 7 Series was investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for potential roll-away risks tied to its electronic shifter system. As automotive expert AntidoteMotorWorks explained in the comments section of CBellamy's video: "The new 5-Series uses BMW's updated safety logic for the electronic shifter. If any door is detected as open, or the seatbelt isn't latched and the car thinks the driver isn't secure, it'll auto-shift back into Park when you lift off the brake. It's basically a roll-away prevention feature." OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. There’s no official BMW advice confirming this exact combination of sensors (door + seatbelt + seat occupancy) for the latest 5 Series. However, multiple BMW owners have reported similar behavior in online forums, with one Bimmerpost user noting that "with the door open, the car shifts back into Park the moment you start moving." The system becomes more complex with additional sensors. "The 540i has a brake-hold function and gear-lock triggers tied into the seat occupancy sensor, so if the system sees 'driver leaving the vehicle' conditions, it'll snap back to Park automatically," AntidoteMotorWorks continued. "If the doors, belt, or seat sensor are acting up, you'll see this behavior even though nothing looks wrong." This wasn't an isolated BMW issue. Another user noted, "It's not only on newer BMWs — this is also on older models and other vehicle brands. My 2012 BMW does the exact same; it will throw the car back in park and not allow you to move unless all doors are closed and the driver seat belt is on." Gallery: BMW 5 Series (2023) When Safety Features Become Safety Hazards CBellamy's video sparked immediate responses from viewers trying to help troubleshoot the issue. Many assumed he had forgotten basic steps like closing doors or fastening his seatbelt. However, CBellamy was quick to address these suggestions in his follow-up videos. "Are you really going to put the time in to fix the car that doesn't belong to you when it should be fully correct when you get the car?" he asked in his third video. "I'm not getting on my hands and knees to clean any sensors. I'm not gonna disconnect the battery. I'm not going to do a repair mechanic shop when it's not my car." He also addressed the persistent seatbelt theories: "I got an umpteenth amount of comments about that. Y'all just make up stuff. So I'm gonna go enjoy this convertible. BMW has redeemed themselves. Will I purchase one with my own money? No. Lexus me all day." One commenter, Livity, shared a similar experience, posting, "One day I had my BMW and I couldn't move. [Expletive] had some anti-roll feature that every time I go in drive and come off the brake it shifts back to park. I opened and closed all doors, put seatbelt on, and it wouldn't go in D or R. I had to put 4 stones under each tire then went in D and [expletive] decided to move." The Rental Car Dilemma CBellamy's situation illustrates a broader issue with complex modern vehicles in rental fleets. When sophisticated safety systems malfunction, the average driver—especially one unfamiliar with the brand's quirks—can be left helpless. This is more than anecdotal. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and electronic controls have made modern cars harder for untrained users to troubleshoot. In one legal case, BMW was found liable in a fatal roll-away incident involving an X5, where system complexity and unclear user feedback were central issues. The rental car company ultimately had to push the BMW back into a parking space and provide CBellamy with a different vehicle—a BMW 4 Series convertible that worked properly. This resolution came only after demonstrating that the original car was indeed defective, not malfunctioning due to user error. "It was not user error. This car was defective," CBellamy emphasized, noting that even the rental car company employee couldn't get the vehicle to function properly. The Great Brand Loyalty Debate CBellamy's experience reignited the age-old debate between German luxury and Japanese reliability. His preference for Toyota and Lexus resonated with many viewers who shared similar sentiments. User wy commented, "Me you both I was a BMW guy until I had to fix stuff lol got rid of my 745 and went and got me ES350 lol," drawing laughing emojis and praise hands from CBellamy. Another user, Sharfina Star, joked, "When there's a zombie apocalypse, these cars ain't it. Toyota or Honda it is." There were, of course, BMW loyalists clapping back. User Mike Bell noted, "#2 on consumer reports try again tho," referencing BMW's high Consumer Reports reliability rankings in recent years. The Bottom Line on Modern Luxury Cars CBellamy's BMW rental experience serves as a reminder that sophisticated automotive technology can sometimes work against the driver. While safety features like automatic park engagement are designed to prevent accidents, system malfunctions can create entirely different problems. His final assessment was pragmatic: "Honestly, I don't care. Like, that's not my problem. It's not my personal vehicle. I have no attachment to the car. My purpose was getting a rental car that's going to be reliable and working for me." For consumers considering luxury vehicle purchases, CBellamy's experience highlights the importance of understanding complex electronic systems—and having patience when they inevitably malfunction. Motor1 reached out to CBellamy via email. We'll update this story if he responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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