Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The car has displayed "drivetrain malfunction, drive moderately" twice now in less than one year of ownership. When this display has occurred, the car goes into "limp mode" and can only be driven at low speeds or with very sluggish acceleration. This is a safety hazard, as it becomes easy to be rear-ended by another driver when it slows substantially.
Transmission problem resulting in violent shuddering of the vehicle body and abrupt engine stops resulting in dangerous driving conditions. Fluctuations in the tachometer when the car attempted to stop and the car would automatically change gears to neutral or park.
I was going over a small bump in the road at 30 MPH and my engine mount failed. All four aluminum bolts sheared off and the engine dropped. This drop snapped my passenger drive shaft (half axle) in two pieces. I think BMW has a serious problem with the strength of the engine mount hardware. The engine mount bolts should be stronger. The failure mode is dangerous.
Transmission shift badly - lunges forward - tendes to stall -traveling at low speeds goes in to 5 or 6 gear step on gas paddle takes to long to shift down and jumps forward. This has been happening even when the car was new and getting worse as time goes on.
I bought my brand new BMW x3 in 2007. There were small issues in the past but withing my manufacturer warrenty period. I had my rear brake pads replaced on jan 23, 2012. On jan 30, 2012, when I drove my x3 out my subdivison to go to work, the brake light, ABS light, and 4/4 light all on, plus load clunk type noise from rear, it was difficault to make a u-turn, managed back to home, called BMW unitedbmw dealer and towed my vehicle to dealer. They first told me that is software failure, they would try reprogram to fix, then called to tell the re-program did not work, it was mechanical transfer case actuator broken, a new one must be installed. The total charge for repair (part + labor - discount) is $2354.97. It was in the dealer for one week. The dealer insisted that it was my bad luck, not car's own issue even though the milage is less than 40K. …
I was driving my vehicle on the highway in the left lane, trying to pass a car in the middle lane. After getting in front of the car in the middle lane, I tried to accelerate so I could re-enter the middle lane, but the car acted as if it slipped into neutral and would not accelerate. The engine growled as if it were in neutral. It kept driving, but would not accelerate, despite me stepping harder on the gas. This was potentially dangerous as there was a car immediately behind me, which could have rear ended me at over 60mph, and the car in the middle lane that I was trying to pass could have also hit me on the passenger side of my car. In researching this, many BMW owners have been complaining about this, and yet BMW has not issued an investigation or recall: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/bmw_trans.html there are 650 complaints regarding this problem at the above link. …
When I accelerate from a dead stop the engine lurches badly 1-3 times before it begins to actually accelerate. This has occurred ever since purchase in 11/06. This has occurred on hundreds of occasions and has nearly cause me many accidents by getting rear-ended by cars and semi's. I like on a side street next to a highway and when I try to pull out onto the highway quickly the car lurches several times before actually catching and moving. I've taken it back to the deal who says nothing is wrong with the car. However I've checked on a website (topix.com) and their are many complaints of the exact same problem, which BMW denies. This is very dangerous!!!!
While driving 2003 325xi on county hiway slowed down to make right turn to about 15-20 MPH. Halfway through the turn loud noise emitted from transmission area (previous failure of trans. Comp. Module @ 1500 miles-replaced by dealer) and vehicle locke up, hard enough for myself and my wife to move forward against the seat belts. Pressed on accelarator, motor running but would not respond. Dodge truck struck my vehicle in rear, driver and witnesses saw no brake lights or other indication I was stopped other than not moving forward. Shut car off. Had to restart car to move same to side of road, respnded normally. Towed to dealer, unable to find anything abnormal. BMW to send engineer to shop.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 3 Series years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (35), 2013 (6) and 2007 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 40% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for BMW 3 Series transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any BMW 3 Series model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do BMW 3 Series transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles; 24% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (25 mentions), followed by the driveline (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.