2007 BMW 328XI Problems

Keeps dying out. Can't drive it at all.

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was smoke and a burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. There was a smoldering sound coming from the dashboard. The contact turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle remained hot, and the smoke started to increase as if the vehicle was not turned off. The contact disconnected the battery to get the smoke to settle and get the engine to cool down. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was smoke and a burning odor entering the cabin of the vehicle. There was a smoldering sound coming from the dashboard. The contact turned off the vehicle; however, the vehicle remained hot, and the smoke started to increase as if the vehicle was not turned off. The contact disconnected the battery to get the smoke to settle and get the engine to cool down. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owned a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact stated that upon reaching his destination, he observed smoke emanating from the engine compartment. After a visual inspection, the contact then observed flames within the engine compartment, shortly after which the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. Emergency services arrived and were able to extinguish the flames. No warning lights were illuminated. A fire report was filed. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection but did not provide the contact with diagnostic information. The vehicle was towed to a towed yard and deemed a total loss by the contact's insurance provider. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 328XI. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V513000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Quote: Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC The Problem: The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. Repair: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. This is reproducible with the front passenger seat. The seatbelt light and airbag light turn on when a passenger is present. This car is unsafe for anyone to be seated in the front passenger seat even when buckled as the red seatbelt and red airbag turn on and stay on until the passenger unbuckles and exits this vehicle.

Quote: Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC The Problem: The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. Repair: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. This is reproducible with the front passenger seat. The seatbelt light and airbag light turn on when a passenger is present. This car is unsafe for anyone to be seated in the front passenger seat even when buckled as the red seatbelt and red airbag turn on and stay on until the passenger unbuckles and exits this vehicle.

MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE SEAT KEEPS GOING ON I'VE HAD THIS RESET TWICE AND IT JUST KEEPS COMING BACK ON AND NOW IT DOES NOT GO OFF . I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO IT OBVIOUSLY WASN'T FIXED.. I WAS DRIVING THIS LAST TIME WHEN THE LIGHT CAME ON.

DASHBOARD INDICATES, "ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK ENGAGED". CAR IS CURRENTLY DRIVABLE, HOWEVER THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED OFTEN IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF BMW, AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN UNTIL THE CAR WILL NO LONGER TURN ON. THE MALFUNCTIONING FEATURE (STEERING WHEEL LOCK) HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM SUBSEQUENT MODELS, INDICATING THAT THE MANUFACTURER RECOGNIZES THE MALFUNCTION. REPAIR INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, COST TO REPAIR IS APPROXIMATELY $1300.

FUEL PUMP IS BURNING OUT AND LIQUID ISN'T PASSING THROUGH THE TANK PROPERLY. THE CAR IS OVERHEATING ANF FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO START FIRE.

THERE ARE TWO OUTSTANDING (FOR WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED WRITTEN NOTICES) DEFECTS ON THE CAR. I GOT THESE IN NOVEMBER OF 2017. I HAVE CALLED BMW SEVERAL TIMES TO GET A STATUS AND THEY HAVE, ON EACH OCCASION, TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT YET ABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. IT IS NOW 10 MONTHS LATER. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS LONGER THAN ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR ITEMS THAT DEMAND WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF DEFECTS. SO, I AM WRITING TO ASK YOU TO ASSIST IN GETTING THESE RECALL ITEMS ADDRESSED. THANK YOU.

TRANSFER CASE NOISES

Quote: Report Receipt Date: NOV 12, 2013 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V564000 Component(s): AIR BAGS Potential Number of Units Affected: 76,565 Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC The Problem: The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure. Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury. Repair: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, anticipated to be in March 2014, BMW will send a second letter and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. This is reproducible with the front passenger seat. The seatbelt light and airbag light turn on when a passenger is present. This car is unsafe for anyone to be seated in the front passenger seat even when buckled as the red seatbelt and red airbag turn on and stay on until the passenger unbuckles and exits this vehicle.

AIRBAG LIGHTS KEEP GOING OFF, SAYING "FAULT IN PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER, OR BELT FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR A SEAT BELT. PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST BMW CENTER." OR "FUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONERS, AND BELT FORCE LIMITERS FAULTY. ENSURE THE SEAT BELT IS FASTENED DESPITE THE FAULT. HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED BY THE NEAREST BMW SERVICE CENTER". THESE LIGHTS COME ON EVERYTIME THE CAR IS STARTED, DEALERSHIPS CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT, AND ANY ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE CODE DOES NOT WORK.

I HAVE FUEL LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF MY FUEL TANK. I HAVE NEEN ADVISED THAT IT IS A FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT OR A SEAL. MY FUEL PUMP WORKS AS MY CAR IS OPERATIONAL. THE LEAK OCCURS WHEN THE GAS TANK IS OVER HALF FULL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL.

FUEL PUMP IS BURNING OUT AND LIQUID ISN'T PASSING THROUGH THE TANK PROPERLY. THE CAR IS OVERHEATING ANF FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO START FIRE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ENGINE SHOOK AND SMOKE APPEARED UNDER THE HOOD AND THE MUFFLER. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO BMW OF FREEHOLD (4225 U.S. 9, FREEHOLD, NJ, 07728) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCV VALVE HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE), BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE DEALER COULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. WHEN THE REMEDY AND PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, THE CONTACT COULD BE REIMBURSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,366. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

BATTERY DIED. GOT A CHARGE AND RED STEERING LIGHT WITH A LOCK TURNED ON. LOCKED STEERING AND UNABLE TO START CAR AFTER CHARGING.

WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AS WELL AS STATIONARY THE WINDOW PINCH PROTECTION LIGHT FLASHES AT 30 SECOND INTERVALS ALONG WITH AN AUDIBLE NOISE. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE NOISE OR NOTIFICATION. ONCE THE WINDOW PINCH PROTECTION HAS BEEN RESET ON EACH WINDOW THE NOTIFICATION REMAINS FLASHING EVERY 30 SECONDS WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. THIS AUDIBLE NOISE IS HEARD WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND CREATES AN UNSAFE DISTRACTION. *TR

HEADLIGHTS ARE POINTING UP TO THE SKY INSTEAD OF STRAIGHT FORWARD AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN.

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN A GARAGE. WITH VEHICLE EITHER RUNNING OR NOT RUNNING, WE WERE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AS WE WERE UNABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN BOTH FRONT AND THE LEFT REAR DOORS, FROM THE INSIDE (USING THE DOOR LEVERS, CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM BUTTON, AND REMOTE) OR FROM THE OUTSIDE (USING THE DOOR HANDLE, KEY, AND REMOTE). THE ONLY WAYS TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WERE TO CLIMB THROUGH A WINDOW OR OVER THE FRONT SEATS (DIFFICULT) TO ACCESS THE RIGHT REAR DOOR. TO GET THE DOORS TO UNLOCK, I NEEDED TO REPLACE A FUSE IN THE FUSE PANEL AND DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS. THIS COULD BE A DEATH TRAP IF IN AN ACCIDENT, HIGH WATER, EXTREME COLD, ETC.

I WAS ON A WELL-PAVED ROAD, APPROACHING A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP, TRAVELLING STRAIGHT AT ABOUT 40MPH, AND MY SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. I HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD MAYBE 5 MINUTES, IT WAS SUNNY AND APPROXIMATELY 80 DEGREES OUT, THERE WAS NO SUDDEN CHANGE IN TEMPERATURE AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT FROM FLYING DEBRIS, POT HOLES, OTHER VEHICLES ETC. BOTH MY SUNROOF AND VISOR WERE BOTH CLOSED AT THE TIME. I HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG, SIMILAR TO A GUNSHOT BUT NOT AS LOUD, I CHECKED MY MIRRORS AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. I THEN OPENED THE VISOR TO MY SUNROOF AND GLASS RAINED DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY CLOSED MY VISOR AND PROCEEDED TO A SAFE SECTION OF THE ROAD WHERE I CULL PULL OFF AND INSPECT THE EXTERIOR OF MY CAR. FROM THE EXTERIOR, IT LOOKED LIKE AN EXPLOSION HAD OCCURRED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AS THE GLASS WAS ANGLED UP AND OUT, WAS COMPLETELY SHATTERED AND HAD SEVERAL LARGE PIECES MISSING. I FILED A REPORT WITH BMW AS SOON AS THE OFFICES REOPENED AND AM WAITING ON FURTHER INFORMATION. FROM WHAT I CAN SEE, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING WITH BMW VEHICLES.

RUNFLAT TIRES ON BMW 328XI ARE NOT SUITED TO AMERICAN ROADS. HIT A POTHOLE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE RUNFLAT TIRES. WHEEL WAS DAMAGED AND TIRE WAS DAMAGED AS WELL. RUNFLAT TIRES SEEM LESS RESILIENT THAN STANDARD TIRES, AND RESULT IN GREATER LIKELIHOOD OF WHEEL DAMAGE. TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT, BUT WHEEL AND TIRE NEED REPLACEMENT. *TR

MY CAR FAILED A VEHICLE INSPECTION TODAY FOR "SAFETY REASONS" BECAUSE I'M TOLD THE 2 FRONT TIRES ARE WORN OUT. I HAVE A 2007 BMW 328XI THAT CAME WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL 42 RUN FLAT TIRES. AFTER 8114 MILES IN RESPONSE TO MY COMPLAINS WITH THE HANDLING, AND NOISE, THE TIRES WERE FOUND TO BE SCALLOPED AND ALL 4 WERE REPLACED (WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL) FREE OF CHARGE IN 2007. AT 22K MILES (14K ON NEW TIRES) THE NOISE BECAME UNBEARABLE AND AT 28,555 (20K ON TIRES) I TOOK THE CAR BACK IN AND WAS TOLD TO REPLACE THE TIRES FOR CLOSE TO $1000 (SINCE THE DEALER SAID THEY COULD ONLY REPLACE TIRES ONCE) WITH ADVISE TO SHOP FOR A BETTER PRICE. GIVEN THAT MY STATE INSPECTION GUIDELINES CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I'M ASKED TO CHANGE TIRES TWICE UNDER 29K MILES, I WOULD HAVE HOPED BMW OR BRIDGESTONE WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. BUT I'M REQUESTING THE NHTSA TO LOOK INTO IT. *TR

VACUUM PUMP RECALL . TAKATA RECALL ELECTRIC RECALL

MY 2007 328XI TRANSFER CASE ON THE DRIVE TRAIN FAILED AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON SUNDAY 6/16/2013. THIS CAUSED AN IMMEDIATELY LOSS OF ALL WHEEL DRIVE AND ABS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITH SOME SIMPLE RESEARCH ONLINE IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONGST SIMILAR MODELS AND YEAR GROUPS. THE X3 AND X5 ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THE ISSUE. A WHOLE AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY AND DEVELOPED ON REPLACING THE GEARS WITH NEWER, HIGH HEAT AND STRESS GEARS SO THIS ISSUE DOESN'T HAPPEN AND THERE ARE RETAILERS WHO MARKET TO PEOPLE WITH THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE THEM. THE FACT THAT A SECONDARY MARKET HAS APPEARED AND IT HAS NOT BEEN ACKNOWLEDGED AS A SERIOUS ISSUE IS CONFUSING. THE INTERIOR OF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS THE GEARS ARE MADE FROM PLASTIC WHICH DEGRADE OVERTIME AND EVENTUALLY CAUSE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TO FAIL TO ENGAGE OR TO DISENGAGE AND CAUSING SEVERE BRAKE AND HANDLING ISSUES. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN CONTROL BUT OTHERS MAY NOT BE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD WHICH CAUSED MY SCALDING HOT COFFEE TO GET EJECTED FROM THE HOP HOLDER ONTO MY LEG. THE CUP HOLDERS IN THIS CAR ARE DANGEROUS BECAUSE THEY ARE SPRING LOADED FROM UNDERNEATH. WHEN YOU HAVE A DRINK IN THE HOLDER IT (CUP HOLDER) EXERTS UPWARD FORCE ON THE CUP. WHEN THE CUP IS LIGHT ENOUGH OR YOU HIT A BUMP HARD ENOUGH IT WILL EJECT WHATEVER BEVERAGE IN THE HOLDER ONTO THE DRIVER AND / OR PASSENGER. I HAD A CAN OF SODA COME OUT ONE AND LAND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR. IT WEDGED UNDER THE BACK OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 3 SERIES OWNERS AND THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I JUST PURCHASED A 2007 USED BMW 328XI WITH ~45K MILES. ONE WEEK TO THE DATE OF PURCHASE, THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP (STILL UNDER WARRANTY FOR 5K MORE MILES) AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD A CRACKED RIM, "LIKELY DUE TO IMPACT." I HAVE DRIVEN IT ONLY ON ROADS UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, HITTING NO SIGNIFICANT POTHOLES OR OTHER ROAD OBSTRUCTIONS. THE RIM IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST ~$500 TO REPLACE. I CHECKED THIS OUT INCIDENT REPORTS ONLINE AND IT SEEMS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RIMS/RUN-FLAT TIRES BEING DEFECTIVE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

THE SIDE MIRROR DEFECT OR NOT WORKING AUTOMATICALLY FOLD FORWARD AT ANYTIME. THE SPRING NOT SEAT IN PLACE, IT ON TOP RAIL DISK SUSPENTION AND MAY POP OUT SIDE PLACE. THE SPRING MAY NOT FIT.

FOR TWO YEARS MY SEATBELT SENSOR PAD IN THE PASSENGERS SIDE HAS BEEN BROKEN. THE COST IS $1400. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ONLY FOR THEM TO SAY THEY DON'T SEE A RECALL ON MY CAR. I LOOKED IT UP HERE AND THE SAME RESULT. I RESEARCH RECALLS ON THE 3 SERIES 328XI ON THE INTERNET AND I SEE A SEAT SENSOR PAD RECALL ON SOME CARS. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS IF IT'S THE SAME SENSOR PAD AND/OR SAME MALFUNCTION. WHY IS IT ONLY A FRACTION OF THE MODELS? ALSO IT'S UNFAIR FOR YOU GUYS TO MAKE MISTAKE WITH THIS INFORMATION. BY THE TIME YOU HAVE CORRECTED THE ISSUE I WILL HAVE DIED OR PAID FOR EVERY DEFECT OUT OF MY OWN POCKETS. REMEMBER BMW IS A BUSINESS I AM NOT. THE NEW ISSUES IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NEVER HAD HAPPEN IN 20 YEARS OF DRIVING. I HIT AN AVERAGE SIZE POTHOLE AND MY SUSPENSION LOCKED-UP THEN LATER SOMETHING SNAPPED. IT WAS THE REAR WHEEL DRIVERS SIDE. ITS STILL IN THE SHOP BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THE SAFETY OF ALL THE VEHICLES AND ISSUE FREE REPAIR OR REFUND, ASAP. ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE FAN BUT I A M RUNNING OUT OF CHARACTERS. TO ME IT SEEMS LIKE MOST OF THE ISSUE THAT YOU TRY TO ISOLATE BY MODEL ARE ACTUAL ISSUES ACROSS ALL MODELS AND WE NEED A SOLUTION. BETTER FIX THE ISSUE NOW OR LATER HAVE SOMEONE'S WHEEL COME OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. OR WHAT IF THE AIR BAG JUST NEVER RELEASE? ITS YOUR FAULT AND BMW. YOU PEOPLE SIT ON THIS INFORMATION FOR YEARS. THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO COME TO MY HOUSE AND FIX THIS [XXX]!!!! OR WRITE ME A CHECK!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE BACK WINDOW WON'T ROLL UP AND THE PLASTIC MOTOR HAS BROKEN. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAINSTORM WHEN THE 4X4, BRAKES WARNING CAME ON. THE HANDLING IMMEDIATELY WAS AFFECTED. I DIDN'T FEEL THE TRACTION I WAS USED TO AND BRAKING BECAME DANGEROUS. I WANTED TO PULL OVER BUT THE BRAKES MADE THE CAR STOP TOO ABRUPTLY, CAUSING ME TO SKID ON THE WET ROAD. HAD THE HIGHWAY BEEN BUSIER I'M SURE I WOULD'VE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I CONSIDER MYSELF VERY LUCKY. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE ACTUATOR GEAR. IT'S PLASTIC AND THE INTENSE HEAT CAUSES IT TO FAIL. I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON....SO MUCH THAT THE REPLACEMENTS ARE MADE OF A DIFFERENT COMPOSITE AND MORE HEAT RESISTANT. MY QUESTION IS WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A GEAR THAT IS RECOGNIZED AS FAULTY. IF THE REPLACEMENTS ARE BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL THEN OBVIOUSLY BMW RECOGNIZES THAT TOO. THIS IS BECOMING WAY TO COMMON FOR BMW NOT TO REACT. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 2007 BMW 328XI COUPE WITH THE ZF 6-19 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. (NOT THE ZF 6-19 TU) TWO WEEKS AFTER THE PURCHASE I WAS TRAVELING AT A STEADY 45 MPH & HAD TO BRAKE QUICKLY TO ABOUT 5 MPH. I THEN IMMEDIATELY HIT THE GAS TO ACCELERATE AWAY, AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND FOR AN UNACCEPTABLE PERIOD OF TIME. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. I TESTED THE CAR & DETERMINED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN TOP (6TH) GEAR, AND WAS BRAKED RAPIDLY DOWN TO A SPEED NEEDING A SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION REMAINS IN 6TH. WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ONE GEAR AT A TIME, TAKES ABOUT 0.8 SECONDS PER GEAR CHANGE, AND DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY ACCELERATIVE FORCE UNTIL IT HAS MADE IT TO THE CORRECT GEAR. IN AN INCIDENT WHEN DECELERATING FROM TOP GEAR TO 10 MPH OR LESS AND THEN IMMEDIATELY ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR TAKES ABOUT 4 SECONDS TO BEGIN TO RESPOND. ONCE I DEMONSTRATED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY LOOKED INTO IT FURTHER. BMW'S RESPONSE WAS "THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING AS DESIGNED." FURTHER COMPLAINTS RESULTED IN "CUSTOM SOFTWARE" FOR THE TRANSMISSION WHICH DROPPED THE DELAY FROM ABOUT 4 SECONDS TO ABOUT 3.75 SECONDS, AND ALLOWED THE TRANSMISSION TO TRANSFER SOME POWER TO THE WHEELS AS IT WAS WORKING DOWN THE GEARS. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY LIMITED IMPROVEMENT, STILL FAR FROM SAFE. A FOUR SECOND DELAY BEFORE A DRIVER CAN MOVE THE CAR EFFECTIVELY AFTER BREAKING IS UNSAFE. I AM FORTUNATE IN THAT I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM IN A SITUATION WHERE I WANTED TO ACCELERATE, BUT DIDN'T HAVE TO, IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE 75 MPH FREEWAYS IN IDAHO WHERE I LIVE, I COULD EASILY BEEN HURT OR KILLED. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND BMW NORTH AMERICA. NEITHER ENTITY INDICATED THAT THEY BELIEVED THERE WAS ANY SAFETY ISSUE. *TR