Parking brake failure

black_beauty · 09-11-2014, 01:35 PM

Hello to all-

Recently in my 2014 335i while parked on a slight hill, the parking brake released. No one was touching the car, I was standing next to it, and it sat for about 3-4 minutes just fine and then I heard a "click" and the car started slowly rolling backwards. The ensuing scene was right out of a keystone cops movie, I had to run along side the car, open the driver's door, jump in and stop the car. There was some damage which needs to be repaired but very fortunately no one was hurt.

Has this happened to anyone else? It was so odd and the way it happened makes me think that there is some kind of defect with the parking brake. It literally clicked off, just released, it was so strange. I have done some searches on the forum but have not been able to find a similar situation.

If this has happened to you or you've heard of some issues with the F30 parking brakes, please reply.

Thanks, enjoy the driving!

FC4 · 09-11-2014, 01:57 PM

I've noticed the E-brake in this car is very weak. Even pulled several slicks, it doesn't feel like it properly holds the car. This is the only MT car I've owned where I've had to consciously park it in-gear even on level ground.

I've always adjusted my cars' E-brakes to be very tight and I prefer as few clicks and lever travel as possible. Anyone taken the center console out and adjusted it on these cars?

black_beauty · 09-11-2014, 02:24 PM

Thanks!

I really think there is something wrong with it.
Never seen anything like that before.

bmiller085 · 09-11-2014, 05:28 PM

I'm having the same problem as well...MY14, 6MT...always have to place it into gear. Oh well!

snowghost · 09-11-2014, 06:14 PM

Me too. I pull it tight on a hill and keep the clutch in to see if it will roll--which it usually will. Then put it in gear.

KGB_123_99 · 09-11-2014, 08:27 PM

BMW's have very weak handbrakes and F30 is no exception. On my old E39 the handbrake wouldn't even hold the car on a small hill.

Always leave it in park/gear with the wheels turned.

m_alnimah · 09-12-2014, 04:55 AM

Well the Electronic Parking Break like in the 5 Series holds the car pretty well...

HighlandPete · 09-12-2014, 06:29 AM

Aren't we talking two different issues here.

I concede a poorly adjusted parking brake will allow some creep, but a parking brake that disengages (once applied) is other issue altogether.

I suggest it is a possible fault in the auto hand brake adjuster, the part inside the handbrake lever mechanism.

The E9x models had issues where the ASZE unit could jump position and give a slack linkage, while using/applying the hand brake. I'm wondering if a faulty unit is allowing it to jump position, even when the brake is applied.

I'd be getting it looked at.

BTW, on the other issue, a poorly functioning parking brake on BMW models, is almost certainly due to poor adjustment and/or corrosion building up in the brake drums.

HighlandPete

black_beauty · 10-17-2014, 12:49 PM

thanks all of you for the replies!

billiebob · 10-17-2014, 03:54 PM

Parking brake on my f30 328 was always useless unless I really cranked on it. Always leave it in gear!

Bmwman325 · 10-17-2014, 04:10 PM

I got the same problem, also had the same problem on my manual e92, It seems the harder your pull the E brake, the worse it gets over time because it stretches the wire that runs from the handle to the brakes. I always leave my car in gear as well.

f30luxline · 10-17-2014, 04:28 PM

I must be the only one. My hand brake works excellent. I have an 8at but always let the car rest in N before putting in park. This has always been my practice, even when I had manuals.

My wife's e92 was no exception either. Worked like a champ.

Either everyone here has some back luck or I always have good luck. I don't have any problems with my car that you read about here and some claim the 1st year of a new generation is the worst.

It's always good practice to put a manual in gear and turn the wheels in either a manual or auto.

kingmonkey8 · 10-20-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC4

I've noticed the E-brake in this car is very weak. Even pulled several slicks, it doesn't feel like it properly holds the car. This is the only MT car I've owned where I've had to consciously park it in-gear even on level ground.

I've always adjusted my cars' E-brakes to be very tight and I prefer as few clicks and lever travel as possible. Anyone taken the center console out and adjusted it on these cars?

I didn't know that the parking brake was electronic, but same here, my car even rolls on my driveway and its not even sloped.

FC4 · 10-20-2014, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingmonkey8

I didn't know that the parking brake was electronic, but same here

It's not.

kingmonkey8 · 10-20-2014, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FC4

It's not.

I didn't think so. That being said, I do like the auto brake hold on inclines, that works quite well.

fugmaglottu · 10-20-2014, 09:40 PM

I really think there is something wrong with it.

S4NoMore · 10-21-2014, 08:25 AM

Yikes, that's scary.

I always leave the car in gear in addition to pulling up the brake handle. I don't even call it a parking brake, it's the emergency brake or handbrake. I've not made it a habit to trust the thing 100% to hold my cars, way too sensitive to adjustment or environmental factors etc.

SteezSpink · 09-16-2021, 05:54 PM

Old thread but this just happened to me.. Have a 6spd MT '13 335 and my girlfriend didn't put the car in gear when she parked. Our driveway is fairly steep and she got out of the car, walked around to the other side, opened the back door to get our 2yr old out of her carseat when she heard a pop and the car started rolling.. down our driveway, off a 10ft or so ravine into a creek that we live on.. Thank god no one was hurt but the car is totaled..

im_an_alien · 09-17-2021, 02:05 AM

I don't think the parking brake failed in either incident, it's such a simple mechanical system without many likely failure points. The adjustment was off imo, so the car wasn't securely held in the first place. I have a 6MT and I tend to park with the shifter in neutral so I use the parking brake all the time, and I've had it want to roll on an incline even when I thought it was well adjusted. I find that even BMW's official adjustment settings are insufficient for a car this heavy, mine is set a little tighter than that. The f30 system is self adjusting but periodically needs the initial position manually set. If you don't do this the parking brake will get weaker and weaker over time. Glad everyone is ok all around.

im_an_alien · 09-17-2021, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by black_beauty

Hello to all-

Recently in my 2014 335i while parked on a slight hill, the parking brake released. No one was touching the car, I was standing next to it, and it sat for about 3-4 minutes just fine and then I heard a "click" and the car started slowly rolling backwards. The ensuing scene was right out of a keystone cops movie, I had to run along side the car, open the driver's door, jump in and stop the car. There was some damage which needs to be repaired but very fortunately no one was hurt.

Has this happened to anyone else? It was so odd and the way it happened makes me think that there is some kind of defect with the parking brake. It literally clicked off, just released, it was so strange. I have done some searches on the forum but have not been able to find a similar situation.

If this has happened to you or you've heard of some issues with the F30 parking brakes, please reply.

Thanks, enjoy the driving!

Any update OP? What ended up being the issue?

Billfitz · 09-17-2021, 07:50 AM

The simple fact of the matter is that the parking brake barely functions even when it is working, so it should never be relied on to keep the car from rolling. That's why the AT puts the car into park when you open the door with the seat belt undone, or when you shut the ignition off. If you have an MT you never leave it parked in neutral, period.

Wires · 09-17-2021, 08:32 AM

I know this sounds like "salt in the wound" type speak, but other non-BMW manual cars I owned had a statement in the owners manual that said "put in 1st gear and set the parking brake. Do not leave in neutral".

I've had to adjust the brake on my Mustang and Acura (didn't really grip well). Once I did that, it worked fine, but I always left it in gear (farm kid, it was just what we did!)

My 2000 Mustang had a TSB that as you kept yanking up on the parking brake handle, it would get sufficiently tight, pop and then fully let loose. Yeh, that sucked, A LOT until they fixed it.

09-11-2014, 01:35 PM	#1
black_beauty Private 10 Rep 78 Posts Drives: a really nice BMW Join Date: May 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Parking brake failure - anyone else? Hello to all- Recently in my 2014 335i while parked on a slight hill, the parking brake released. No one was touching the car, I was standing next to it, and it sat for about 3-4 minutes just fine and then I heard a "click" and the car started slowly rolling backwards. The ensuing scene was right out of a keystone cops movie, I had to run along side the car, open the driver's door, jump in and stop the car. There was some damage which needs to be repaired but very fortunately no one was hurt. Has this happened to anyone else? It was so odd and the way it happened makes me think that there is some kind of defect with the parking brake. It literally clicked off, just released, it was so strange. I have done some searches on the forum but have not been able to find a similar situation. If this has happened to you or you've heard of some issues with the F30 parking brakes, please reply. Thanks, enjoy the driving! __________________ 2014 335i xDr, Black on black, Sport line, 6MT, MPPK, DHP, M Sport brakes, 401 wheels, M shifter
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09-11-2014, 01:57 PM	#2
FC4 Brigadier General 2680 Rep 3,406 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: May 2014 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I've noticed the E-brake in this car is very weak. Even pulled several slicks, it doesn't feel like it properly holds the car. This is the only MT car I've owned where I've had to consciously park it in-gear even on level ground. I've always adjusted my cars' E-brakes to be very tight and I prefer as few clicks and lever travel as possible. Anyone taken the center console out and adjusted it on these cars?
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09-11-2014, 02:24 PM	#3
black_beauty Private 10 Rep 78 Posts Drives: a really nice BMW Join Date: May 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Thanks! I really think there is something wrong with it. Never seen anything like that before. __________________ 2014 335i xDr, Black on black, Sport line, 6MT, MPPK, DHP, M Sport brakes, 401 wheels, M shifter
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09-11-2014, 05:28 PM	#4
bmiller085 Private First Class 35 Rep 168 Posts Drives: 2014 328i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2014 BMW 328i [0.00]	I'm having the same problem as well...MY14, 6MT...always have to place it into gear. Oh well! __________________ 2014 328i 6MT \| silver metallic/black dakota \| m-sport \| premium \| navigation \| heated front seats \| performance kidney grille Sold: 2014 F25 X3 35i \| 2011 E90 335i
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09-11-2014, 06:14 PM	#5
snowghost Colonel 155 Rep 2,266 Posts Drives: '13 335i M-Sport 6MT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	Me too. I pull it tight on a hill and keep the clutch in to see if it will roll--which it usually will. Then put it in gear. __________________ F30 Sapphire Black M-Sport 335i 6MT
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09-11-2014, 08:27 PM	#6
KGB_123_99 Captain 404 Rep 962 Posts Drives: '17 330ix M-Sport, '09 528ix Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montreal, QC iTrader: (0)	BMW's have very weak handbrakes and F30 is no exception. On my old E39 the handbrake wouldn't even hold the car on a small hill. Always leave it in park/gear with the wheels turned.
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09-12-2014, 04:55 AM	#7
m_alnimah Lieutenant 70 Rep 473 Posts Drives: 2016 Mini Cooper S 5 Door Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Doha, Qatar iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 [10.00]	Well the Electronic Parking Break like in the 5 Series holds the car pretty well... __________________ 2015 X5 xDrive35i M Sport, Black Sapphire on Terra Dakota Leather, Lane Change Warning, Lighting Package, 6WB, ConnectedDrive Services... (Sold) 2016 Mini Cooper S 5 Door Fully Equipped. (Sold) 2016 Audi A6 35 TFSI 2017 X6 xDrive50i Pure Extravagance, Space Grey on Coral Red, Fully Equipped.
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09-12-2014, 06:29 AM	#8
HighlandPete Lieutenant General 6659 Rep 15,858 Posts Drives: BMW F11 535i Touring Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Scotland, Highland Region iTrader: (0)	Aren't we talking two different issues here. I concede a poorly adjusted parking brake will allow some creep, but a parking brake that disengages (once applied) is other issue altogether. I suggest it is a possible fault in the auto hand brake adjuster, the part inside the handbrake lever mechanism. The E9x models had issues where the ASZE unit could jump position and give a slack linkage, while using/applying the hand brake. I'm wondering if a faulty unit is allowing it to jump position, even when the brake is applied. I'd be getting it looked at. BTW, on the other issue, a poorly functioning parking brake on BMW models, is almost certainly due to poor adjustment and/or corrosion building up in the brake drums. HighlandPete
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10-17-2014, 12:49 PM	#9
black_beauty Private 10 Rep 78 Posts Drives: a really nice BMW Join Date: May 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	thanks all of you for the replies! __________________ 2014 335i xDr, Black on black, Sport line, 6MT, MPPK, DHP, M Sport brakes, 401 wheels, M shifter
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10-17-2014, 03:54 PM	#10
billiebob Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 222 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Parking brake on my f30 328 was always useless unless I really cranked on it. Always leave it in gear!
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10-17-2014, 04:10 PM	#11
Bmwman325 Private First Class 38 Rep 172 Posts Drives: 2015 MG CR 335 XI 6SP Join Date: May 2014 Location: Missouri iTrader: (0)	I got the same problem, also had the same problem on my manual e92, It seems the harder your pull the E brake, the worse it gets over time because it stretches the wire that runs from the handle to the brakes. I always leave my car in gear as well.
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10-17-2014, 04:28 PM	#12
f30luxline e92 - 335i 179 Rep 743 Posts Drives: thisonetimeatbandcamp Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Orlando iTrader: (1)	I must be the only one. My hand brake works excellent. I have an 8at but always let the car rest in N before putting in park. This has always been my practice, even when I had manuals. My wife's e92 was no exception either. Worked like a champ. Either everyone here has some back luck or I always have good luck. I don't have any problems with my car that you read about here and some claim the 1st year of a new generation is the worst. It's always good practice to put a manual in gear and turn the wheels in either a manual or auto.
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10-20-2014, 09:40 PM	#16
fugmaglottu New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: x3 iTrader: (0)	I really think there is something wrong with it. __________________ great car
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10-21-2014, 08:25 AM	#17
S4NoMore Major 253 Rep 1,003 Posts Drives: 16 340i, 15 X3d, 91 318i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Philly suburbs iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 BMW 340i [0.00] 2015 BMW X3 28d [0.00] 1991 BMW 318i [8.66]	Yikes, that's scary. I always leave the car in gear in addition to pulling up the brake handle. I don't even call it a parking brake, it's the emergency brake or handbrake. I've not made it a habit to trust the thing 100% to hold my cars, way too sensitive to adjustment or environmental factors etc.
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09-16-2021, 05:54 PM	#18
SteezSpink Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 2013 335i Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	Old thread but this just happened to me.. Have a 6spd MT '13 335 and my girlfriend didn't put the car in gear when she parked. Our driveway is fairly steep and she got out of the car, walked around to the other side, opened the back door to get our 2yr old out of her carseat when she heard a pop and the car started rolling.. down our driveway, off a 10ft or so ravine into a creek that we live on.. Thank god no one was hurt but the car is totaled..
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09-17-2021, 02:05 AM	#19
im_an_alien Lieutenant Colonel 1129 Rep 1,510 Posts Drives: 2016 340i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Florida/NH iTrader: (0)	I don't think the parking brake failed in either incident, it's such a simple mechanical system without many likely failure points. The adjustment was off imo, so the car wasn't securely held in the first place. I have a 6MT and I tend to park with the shifter in neutral so I use the parking brake all the time, and I've had it want to roll on an incline even when I thought it was well adjusted. I find that even BMW's official adjustment settings are insufficient for a car this heavy, mine is set a little tighter than that. The f30 system is self adjusting but periodically needs the initial position manually set. If you don't do this the parking brake will get weaker and weaker over time. Glad everyone is ok all around.
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09-17-2021, 07:50 AM	#21
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8243 Rep 16,082 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	The simple fact of the matter is that the parking brake barely functions even when it is working, so it should never be relied on to keep the car from rolling. That's why the AT puts the car into park when you open the door with the seat belt undone, or when you shut the ignition off. If you have an MT you never leave it parked in neutral, period.
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09-17-2021, 08:32 AM	#22
Wires Brigadier General 1646 Rep 4,877 Posts Drives: 2016 340i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	I know this sounds like "salt in the wound" type speak, but other non-BMW manual cars I owned had a statement in the owners manual that said "put in 1st gear and set the parking brake. Do not leave in neutral". I've had to adjust the brake on my Mustang and Acura (didn't really grip well). Once I did that, it worked fine, but I always left it in gear (farm kid, it was just what we did!) My 2000 Mustang had a TSB that as you kept yanking up on the parking brake handle, it would get sufficiently tight, pop and then fully let loose. Yeh, that sucked, A LOT until they fixed it.
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