While driving down the highway, the passenger-side fuel tank retaining strap bracket broke from the floor pan of the car. It was not entirely clear to me if it was struck by something on the road or if the welds just failed, however I do know that I didn't hit a pothole or other road irregularity. I've done some research and found that this is not an uncommon problem on ~2001 BMW 3-series coupes and it appears that it is failing welds.

- Mohrsville, PA, USA

Drove through a parking lot earlier today when I heard something that sounded like scraping metal coming from the rear of my car. Pulled over and found the passenger side gas tank strap hanging down touching the ground.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Fuel tank sending unit behind driver's seat leaking fuel in a stream only when tank is full. When viewed from the top, there is an enclosed plastic column, approximately 3/4 of an inch in diameter that is leaking at a "seam" through pinholes.

- Avon, CT, USA

2001 BMW 325ci, passenger side fuel tank strap failure at front weld site causing fuel tank to hang from the under body only several inches off the ground. The rear fuel tank strap remained bolted down so strap remained attached to the vehicle, dragging on the road surface causing a loud metallic popping and scratching sound while the vehicle was in motion thus alerting driver. The failure spontaneously occurred while driving on residential roadway without any obvious collision from debris, signs of external damage or excessive rust. The front weld site at the undercarriage appeared to be torn or sheared off. Old part was not available and the strap had to be repaired by welding to a different point of the undercarriage.

- Playa Vista, CA, USA