1997 BMW 540IA User Comment / Complaint

At the precise moment i fully depressed the accelerator to pass a slow-moving vehicle, causing the automatic transmission to down shift, the radiator upper neck broke off, causing complete loss of coolant. significant steam was generated from the leak and caused a cloud behind my car that could have blocked the view of a following vehicle. i was traveling at highway speeds which minimized the steam's ability to block my view, but at lower speeds the steam may have completely blocked my view. considering i was passing a vehicle, there was a risk that if my view was obstructed, an accident with either the vehicle being passed or oncoming traffic could have resulted. i was stranded until my temporary repairs allowed me to limp to the nearest repair facility. i understand that this is a common failure mode for this vehicle, and request an investigation be initiated.