BMW 325i Transmission Problems

Transmission complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  25
• Manual transmission
  7
• Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Column shift
  1
• Axle assembly
  1
• Clutch assembly
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  717%
• 25k–50k
  37%
• 50k–75k
  1024%
• 75k–100k
  615%
• 100k–150k
  1127%
• 150k+
  410%

What owners report

Oil filter housing gasket leaked on to alternator causing the alternator to over heat and melt internal components which causing lack of power and multiple false check engine codes to come on and smoke clouded my view while driving so very common problem is the heater core leaking too

I was driving about 10 MPH in traffic on Friday, oct. 31, 2008, at 5 p.m., in houston,when my 2006 BMW 325i began smoking in the passenger compartment and burst into flames by the time I got it parked. I first noticed the air conditioner was not functioning properly and then smoke immediately began filling the car. The car was totaled by the time the hfd arrived. The car was in good condition and had no recent service or problems. It had no previous electrical problems. The ac just began blowing warm air, and smoke started pouring into the compartment from above and below the dashboard - not from the ac. The car was running fine until it burst into flames. It had to be a mechanical defect or an electrical short of some kind.

Tl* - the contact called regarding a 2005 BMW x3 2.5i. She noticed the vehicle would start vibrating while driving at any speed, and the brakes would make an awful noise when applied. She also stated that radio/tapedeck/cd overheated when playing cds. The contact stated that the vehicle had about 12,000 miles when brake problem started. She stated that she took vehicle to dealership, and they found nothing wrong with the vehicle, but they replaced 2 electrical modules and the brake assist. The contact continued to have problems with the vehicle vibrating and brakes squeaking. The contact took the vehcile to a dealership a second time, and they rotated all four tires . The contact states that this didn't resolve the problem. …

Each time I have had this problem the car has been parked for at least 6 hours. The car starts but does not engage in reverse. The car will roll back due to a slope of surface but when shifted to drive it only rolls forward but doesn't engage. I continue to push on the gas pedal and it finally "lurches" forward. This has happened 7 times randomly over the period of one year. The BMW service department has checked it twice and kept it a week last month. They told me that they had never heard of this problem before and they couldn't replicate it so they couldn't fix it. I am afraid this problem will put me or others in danger if I can't move forward or reverse.

Driving on 12/12/2019 on interstate highway about 65mph, going straight, when all of a sudden rear wheels (this is RWD - 2003 BMW 325i) locked up completely - the vehicle went forward at about 45 degrees sideways before it straightened out when the speed dropped. Thankfully I did not hit anybody, and no one hit me although there was quite a bit of traffic on this multi lane interstate. I got aaa tow it home. He had to drag it onto the truck bed as the rear wheels continued to be locked up. When I removed and opened the differential tapered roller bearing rollers were in the oil space. Looking to see where they jammed the system up I noticed marks on the carrier. It appears rollers jammed up in between the carrier and the inner wall of the differential box - see photographs. …

Bought 2003 BMW 325i brand new. After driving it for 4 years (39,800milies) it started making a thumb sound and started losing transmission power and the gear indication light turns on. Brought to dealership and I thought it was fixed. It was always happening until the warranty expired. I can not use the car specially during cold weather. This problem was happening on the highway and city street while in motion. Most of the time the car is in the garage. I can not believe that at only 39,800 miles, this car is going to have such a major problem. But I believe this a transmission issue. This car still looks mint because of rare usage.

In a matter of two hours my 325i was running fine to not going in reverse at all. I have been researching this problem and it seems to be happening in a lot of cars my year and type. This is a safety hazard because there is no warning, one minute you can back up next it is just stalled in reverse. BMW needs to stand up and see that their product has a defect and potentially can cause injuries. The dealership I called said it's is the transmission, let's set up an appt and bring it in. It still goes no problem at all in drive. Someone please help!!!!

BMW 325 2002 under 100K miles with transmission problem. Jmk springfield BMW said hey could fix for $500 I agreed to go ahead. After the work completion they called me back to tell me problem still exists but they still charged me $540. They say I need to pay another $700 to try the next 'gear selection switch change' suggestion. And if that fails they'll change the gear box for $5K. I think this should be a recall. Gearbox should not fail on ultimate driving machine under 100K miles.