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BMW X3 07-09 Automatic Transmission Problems

16 messages,  Last post on Feb 02, 2012 at 6:23 PM

You are in the BMW X3 & X5 Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW X3, BMW 3 Series, Car Buying, SUV

Messages Page 2 of 3

#5 of 16 ZF GHP19 another BMW/GM transmission failure by pp2009pp

Sep 20, 2009 (8:59 am)

From the NHTSA site. This failure appears to be in different cars in different model years. IIRC one post I read said that there were 140 complaints on the site regarding this issue but I haven't verified that.
 
Here is a sample of the problem. The $2K repair cost appears to be on the low side.
 
"2001 BMW 330I, 88,500 MILES. REVERSE FAILED COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR HAS THE ZF5HP19 TRANSMISSION WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE THE COMMON PROBLEM OF THE D-G CLUTCH DRUM FAILING. THE CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED WITH NO SYMPTOMS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE REVERSE DRUM AT A COST OF $2116.34. I HAVE A COPY OF THE SERVICE ORDER AND HAVE IN MY POSSESSION THE FAILED PART. *TR

#6 of 16 Re: ZF GHP19 another BMW/GM transmission failure [pp2009pp] by roadburner

Sep 20, 2009 (10:50 am)

Replying to: pp2009pp (Sep 20, 2009 8:59 am)
Welcome to last week. The well known reverse failure affects the ZF5HP19. It is not a GM transmission and has nothing to do with the shifting issues which affect some later X3s.

#7 of 16 Good point Roadie. Worth exploring by pp2009pp

Sep 20, 2009 (10:58 am)

Same symptoms, different problems, different transmissions, still BMWs.
 
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=706809
 
"Here is why that's important: Automatic 323's are known to lose the reverse drum, that's a fact. Automatic 328s can lose reverse as well, that's a fact. But what's the crazy fact is that 328's with GM transmissions might not have actually lost the reverse drum! GM and ZF trannies both lose reverse gear but they do it in different ways. The drum failure is the common failure on the ZF transmissions. The symptoms of the 5L40E (GM tranny) are identical, you place the car in reverse and it revs up like in neutral and does not move. And that's the point of this thread. To show you what to do if you have a steptronic GM transmission.
 
So GM trannies might not have lost the reverse drum? Then what is the problem you ask? There are things called solenoids in the pan of a transmission that control pressure allowing the transmission to engage gears. We all know that automatic transmissions in E46s are hydraulically driven correct? Well one of those solenoids can go bad, and guess which one? The reverse solenoid. The name which you should call it as is the "TCC and PWM solenoid"
 
What happens: At any rate, what happens is when the car is cold, ect, this reverse solenoid has a mesh screen on it and build up can get on the screen causing it to not be able to control the pressure to the reverse gear. This in turn is when people notice the infamous "no-reverse." Thus, people with GM transmissions wont be able to engage reverse gear and they think that their reverse drum is to blame. This is not the case!"

#8 of 16 Re: Good point Roadie. Worth exploring [pp2009pp] by roadburner

Sep 20, 2009 (12:13 pm)

Replying to: pp2009pp (Sep 20, 2009 10:58 am)
More proof that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing...

#9 of 16 Drive it gently? Delicate BMWs? What? by pp2009pp

Sep 23, 2009 (10:26 am)

So here is an article talking about the no reverse problems in the ZF and GM transmissions in various BMW models. It goes on then to say this:
 
"If you have an autobox, drive it gently. That would be my advice. If you are buying a BMW, consider a 5- or 6-speed instead of an automatic, particularly if you are buying a car without an extended warranty. If you have a newer automatic, consider an extended BMW warranty (not a 3rd party warranty, they are nearly worthless)."
 
Since when did the hard-driving BMW become something only to be driven gently because BMW can't figure out how to make or OEM a proper automatic transmission?
 
Rugged X5s and X3s that you have to pamper?
 
What?
 
 

#11 of 16 Re: Sample of complaints about the AT to the NHTSA [pp2009pp] by rlgarry

Feb 22, 2011 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: pp2009pp (Sep 13, 2009 11:14 pm)
Since I have a 2007 BMW X3 with all the same problems mentioned that I bought certified pre-owned, what are the legal ramifications of these problems? Do I have any recourse with BMW? The original factory warranty expires in April 2011 so I am trying to do anything I can before then. More importantly, it is very concerning that my car is unsafe to drive. If anyone has had success with this issue or can advise me, I would greatly appreciate it.

#12 of 16 BMW X3 Automatic Transmission Problems Still Exist by pp2009pp

Mar 02, 2011 (12:50 am)


 
Our next car will be a Toyota or a Honda or maybe a Ford. I don't know but this BMW is so full of weird glitches that it is unnerving.
 
Every new wrinkle is an anxiety-inducer. WTH? Really, does anyone need this kind of aggravation for a CAR?
 
Who sources transmissions for BMW? Who designs the suspension?

#13 of 16 Re: Sample of complaints about the AT to the NHTSA [pp2009pp] by tonym910

Jan 05, 2012 (8:00 am)

Replying to: pp2009pp (Sep 13, 2009 11:14 pm)
I had the same issue with the transmission bucking etc., long story with more than one dealer involved.
The car was under warranty and BMW admitted that there was an issue.
Basically BMW said deal with it we will not fix it because this is normal for this car and it's not a life threatening issue.
I got rid of it and I will NEVER buy another BMW.
They lost a customer for life.

#14 of 16 Re: Sample of complaints about the AT to the NHTSA [tonym910] by roadburner

Feb 02, 2012 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: tonym910 (Jan 05, 2012 8:00 am)
Another one post wonder.
Why am I not surprised???

Messages Page 2 of 3

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