THE EVIDENCE HUB
CLASSIFICATIONS
Evidence before accusation
Source classes and case evidence levels are tracked separately. Every material claim states what it does — and does not — establish.
OPEN THE EVIDENCE CENTER →
Symptom ≠ diagnosis
Uneven vents, hissing or temporary post-recharge improvement are diagnostic clues — not proof the evaporator is the source.
READ THE DIAGNOSIS GUIDE →
Three cost layers, never blended
External benchmarks, documented estimates and completed invoices answer different questions — the registry keeps them separate.
SEE COST INTELLIGENCE →
Public record, plainly labeled
Recalls, settlements and complaints are different kinds of records. Each entry links its primary source and states its scope.
OPEN THE PUBLIC RECORD →
Statistics describe submitted records
They do not establish manufacturer-wide incidence or failure rates. Read how records are reviewed before publication.
VISIT THE DATA CENTER →
SEARCH AUTODEFECT.ORG
Prototype — search binds to Supabase full-text in the production build (see handoff-v4).
POPULAR SEARCHES
Published: August 8, 2026Last reviewed: August 8, 2026Compiled by: AutoDefect.org Registry EditorSources last checked: August 8, 2026CorrectionsManufacturer right of reply
THE SIX RECORD TYPES
What each record is — and what it gets you
RECORDWHAT IT ISWHAT IT PROVIDESOFFICIAL SOURCE
Safety recallA formal safety-remedy process involving a safety-related defect or noncompliance determination, identified by an NHTSA campaign number. BMW’s official recall lookup is VIN-specific.Free remedy at an authorized dealer for covered vehiclesBMW recall lookup ↗ · NHTSA ↗
NHTSA owner complaintA consumer-submitted report used by NHTSA with other information to identify possible safety trends. A complaint is not itself a finding.Public visibility; contributes to trend monitoringReport a safety problem ↗
Manufacturer communication / SIB / TSBTechnical or service information distributed by a manufacturer to repair facilities. It does not automatically create a recall or a warranty obligation.Repair guidance for facilities; possible diagnostic context for ownersBulletin library
Warranty extensionAdditional coverage for defined vehicles and components under stated terms. Only an actual program document establishes one.Coverage per the program termsThis guide
Goodwill assistanceDiscretionary manufacturer or dealer participation outside ordinary warranty obligation. Not an admission of defect or liability.Case-by-case contribution; documented outcomes varyGoodwill tracker
AutoDefect registry caseAn independent record whose evidence status depends on the documentation reviewed by AutoDefect.A classified, source-labeled evidence recordRegistry
FREQUENT CONFLATIONS
Four confusions this site is built to prevent
CONFUSIONTHE CORRECTION
“There’s a TSB, so there’s a recall”A bulletin is repair guidance. Recalls carry NHTSA campaign numbers and owner notification duties.
“NHTSA complaints prove the defect”Complaints are unverified owner allegations the agency screens for trends.
“BMW paid goodwill, so BMW admitted fault”Goodwill is discretionary assistance — a consumer-outcome data point, not an admission.
“The part number changed, so the old part was defective”Supersession has many causes; it establishes only that the catalog points elsewhere.
Which record type is your paperwork?
Submit it and the registry will classify it — repair order, bulletin reference, warranty determination or goodwill letter.
CONTINUE IN THE EVIDENCE ARCHITECTURE