Complaints about BMW 3 Series - No Reverse
Archive: January
- March 2009
Katherine of North Carolina
(3/25/09)
323 CI
- No warning - no reverse. Love the car but this is unbelievable.
BMW wants $6,000 to replace transmission.
Scott of Louisville, KY
(3/24/09)
I spoke to BMW and they nicely had me email them my information and
they would get back to me.....3 f/u emails later (over a month) and
BMW won't even get back to me. My 330 is in the shop now getting a
new transmission....I have almost gotten over the fact that they
won't acknowledge this issue...but to not even respond to me, thats
un-professional. Thanks BMW...great service!!
Tony of Edinburgh
(3/24/09)
Not sure if this is a Uk probelm yet as most of these sites seem to
be for USA. I have not had reverse when the Engine is cold, for the
guts of 9 months. Cannot get anyone to look at the problem or admit
it is a common problem from BMW - I actually want to get it fixed
bit 3k is ridiculous, anyone any thoughts.
Corey of Chicago, IL
(3/20/09)
I have a 323ci 2000 BMW and was on a date, and my car all of a
sudden wouldn't go in reverse! I had to have the girl get out and
help me push it as I was parallel parked - so embarrassing!
I took the car in and it cost me $5,500 to have the trans done by my
repair shop (E and J Automotive on Western ave in Chicago Illinois
-- a little plug for them as I always get great service!).
Anyways, now my power steering is out and I have to take it in. I am
glad to see I am not alone here, but I really wish BMW would do
something as I LOVE their cars and am a loyal BMW type of guy, but
when I see such a repetitive issue occurring, it would seem to me
that they should do something.
Dr. K of Rochester, NY
(3/17/09)
I
finally saved enough money to buy my first bmw, used. i bought it a
month ago with 110k miles on it. It drove like a champ. Yesterday
morning I started it putin reverse and no reverse. It just kept
idling like it was in neutral. Wow I am a college student, this
sucks, back to driving my accord again. Thanks a lot bmw
Scott of Louisville, KY
(3/17/09)
99K on my 2001 330i....no reverse. BIG shocker after coming to this
site. Looks like there are a few (thousand!!) others who have had
the same problem. How is this legal for BMW to NOT recall this? Does
anyone out there think that NO REVERSE isn't a safety issue?
Brian of CT
(3/14/09)
2000 323I 119,000 miles. Add another one, I guess im one of the
lucky ones because (knock on wood) my reverse works 80% of the time.
I have become the master of finding the pull through parking spot.
In the 5 years ive sunk about 8k in repairs, no way am i fixing this
trans. wow BMW never again.
Robert of Puerto Rico
(3/14/09)
It happened!!
NO signs..NO indications..just the mystery or should I say the
Horror.
Friday 13. NO Reverse.
But the real Horror was Autogermana, SA (the authorized BMW retail
and service on the island). They charged me $134.00 for diagnostics
of the problem which by the way had no bearing with the "real
cause"; and furthermore quoted that it will take $11,000 to fix my
2000 328 iC.
Yes, outrage is the word. BE WARNED AutoGermana BMW, SA do not
repair (muchless service); it is a replace it place...highway
robbery.
Yes, I told them what I felt and I have the evidence (documents) if
anyone comes across this.
Service and Satisfaction from AutoWhatsTheirScam is BS. Stay Away
from them.
I finished towing my car to an independent BMW repair shop; they
alerted me of noreverse.org and I found shelter.
Good Luck to All,
Bob Q.
Scott of Louisville, KY
(3/11/09)
2001
330i with 99K miles on it. I could waste my breathe (or fingers
typing) but my NO REVERSE issue is already addressed by the
shockingly large number of people before me on this website. Has
anyone had any luck getting BMW to split the cost or anything?
Arineh of San Diego, CA
(3/7/09)
I got into my 2000 BMW 323i yesterday afternoon after a full day of
running errands and my car would not reverse when I tried backing
out of a parking spot! I am having exactly the same issue as
everyone else who has posted here: car turns on fine, it works in
drive, in reverse it sounds like it is in neutral and makes a
revving sound. It has about 76K miles, but a well-built car should
go longer than this. I had to have AAA tow it and now we need to
figure out the next step. I am very disappointed to find from this
website that BMW is not acknowledging this problem. It is a definite
safety issue and it should be recalled, this needs to be addressed
by BMW.
John of Chicago, IL
(3/5/09)
To add to my 3/4/09 comment - I suggest EVERYONE who has a
legitimate complaint fill out an official complaint form at this
site:
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
The more who do so - and soon - the better our chances of getting
some action. If a car without reverse ISN'T a safety issue - I don't
know what is...
John of Chicago, IL
(3/4/09)
Well...I guess it's my turn because just tonight the reverse on my
2000 BMW 323 CI stopped working - same as the rest described herein.
No warning...no odd noises...just no reverse. As if it were in
neutral with the engine revving. I know tomorrow the hassle - and
dollar drain - really begins when I try to resolve things. BTW - the
car has been driven only 49,340 miles. And is in pristine condition
and always well serviced. No other major problems to date. This just
isn't right!!!!
Gregory of USA
(3/2/09)
Check this out:
http://productliability.law360.com/articles/71185
it regards a settled class action suit in N.J. anything to this?
BMW Settles Class Action Over Transmission Defect
Law360, New York (October 01, 2008) -- BMW of North America LLC on
Tuesday settled a product liability case with a class of plaintiffs
who alleged the company sold cars that had a transmission defect
that rendered them inoperable in reverse gear.
The settlement in the U.S. District Court for the District of New
Jersey came some two months after Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh rejected
BMW's motion to dismiss several claims in...
Jill of San Francisco, CA
(3/1/09)
My 2000 323i sport wagon, just lost reverse today when trying to
back out of the garage. This car only has 50K miles. what's up?? i
can't believe all of these posts with this problem...wish i would
have done more research before I bought it.
Gerry of Merrimac, MA
(2/25/09)
134,000, 325i, No Reverse. Spoke with BMW Customer Relations. They
refuse to acknowledge that this is a recurring issue. Told me the
transmission is way beyond the warranty and I should be happy to get
134,000 miles out of it. When I directed him to this web site to see
others with the same issue (low and high mileage), he just
reiterated his stance. Is this what BMW calls Customer Service?
Taking the vehicle into the dealer tomorrow. Spoke with a local
transmission shop and they are very familiar with this issue. Is BMW
the only one's not familiar with the problem? Gonna try to get the
dealer (IRA Stratham, NH BMW) to give me a part warranty and offer
to pay the labor, but I know I will just be wasting my breath. Will
most likely end up at the local transmission shop to get it fixed.
Will never, ever buy another one of these "ULTIMATE DRIVING
MACHINES" and will also discourage any of my friends from purchasing
one. Sure, the engine will give you 200K plus miles, but what good
is that if the transmission fails.
Keith of Acworth, GA
(2/25/09)
Just bought my 328i yesterday, fantastic car to drive, but I can't
back out of my garage. I've been researching about the problem, now
I know why I got a good deal on the car. I test-drove it, then drove
it all day today with no problems. When I got home, no reverse.
Is there any help from BMW, or am I screwed? Neighbor of a friend
sold it to me, I'm going to try to get my money back...
Is this a problem that can be home-repaired, or do I have to shell
out $3K?
Akeem of San Jose, CA
(2/23/09)
purchased a 2000 323i about 6 months ago. I'm at 132k miles
and it was raining yesterday as I attempted to back into my
driveway, the reverse was not working.
I see this blog and am wondering wtf?
Is there a class action in effect?
Richard of Signal Hill, CA
(2/22/09)
I have a 2000 323i and I "lost" my reverse gear this evening. It was
just fine all day running errands. But at my last stop, the reverse
gear completely failed and I couldn't even back out of the parking
stall. Luckily, my mechanic's shop was down the street, but I am not
looking forward for the repair bill.
Andrew of New York, NY
(2/17/09)
Well I
have a 2000 BMW 323Ci and i have also lost my reverse gear, not
completely (yet). who needs that gear anyways? it will get you in
great shape especially if you have to push your car uphill when your
dressed to go to work! has anyone tried doing the work themselves?
Todd of Dallas, TX
(2/17/09)
I had mine repaired recently at Freddie's Transmission in Dallas.
Great service! They know the problem and fix it for much less than
the cost of a new transmission.
Read more and see pictures of my repair here:
click here
Joel of Ontario, Canada
(2/15/09)
Well, I was looking at an older Bimmer for a "fun" car. Wow, am I
ever glad I found this website! Definitely not even thinking about
it anymore!
I'd just like to add folks, that this site has plenty of anecdotal
and factual evidence provided by the invoice, which should more than
stand up in small claims court, against BMWNA, and the local
dealership if they are not forthcoming with honesty surrounding this
problem.
Tanya of Atlanta, GA
(2/15/09)
Same story...went to back into a parking spot and it only backed up
a little bit. I had to leave it hanging out of the parking spot. I
let it sit a couple of hours and it appeared to be fine. When I
parked it approximately 20 minutes, I had to cut it off and on to
get a few inches of reverse. This is ridiculous!
Ken of York, PA
(2/15/09)
No reverse on 2000 323i automatic steptronic. Took car to local BMW
dealer where I have had other service work performed. End result -
billed $100 and was told that I needed a new Transmission for $6000
(bought another car to drive for now). Nobody from BMW seems to have
ever heard of this being a problem of any extent. BMW needs to
acknowledge problem and take responsibility. Would like to know
about any class action law suites against on this issue.
Josh of Seattle, WA
(2/12/09)
Reverse went out on my 2000 323i Monday night, 133k miles. Traded it
in the next day, not even going to bother dealing with trying to fix
it...
Nancy of Hoover, AL
(2/3/09)
I have
119K miles and one day the transmission lights comes on and check
engine soon light pops up......I don't have 6K for new
transmission.......BMW knows there is a problem here and should
re-call these vehicles....it is the right thing to do.
Jeff of Los Angeles, CA
(1/26/09)
I can not put my car into reverse. It is a BMW 325 CI. Do not know
what to do. It sounds like it is going to cost me a bundle. UGHH
Frank of Port Chester, NY
(1/25/09)
Just want to say thanks for keeping the site going. I check it from
time to time to see how much the list of victims has grown. By the
way, I ran across a New Jersey lemon-law attorney who seems to
specialize in BMW defects. I just sent him an e-mail directing him
to your site and asked him if he would be able to help us. His info
is below. I'll let you know if I hear anything back. Thanks again
for all of your efforts.
http://www.lemonlawclaims.com/BMW defects
lemon law.htm
Sally of St. Pete, FL
(1/22/09)
can't believe it... drives like a dream.... backed out of the drive
way, drove 5 miles and then couldn't reverse into a parking spot...
my whole transmission is shot... i can't afford this and don't know
what to do...
Sean of Chicago, IL
(1/17/09)
My reverse just went out on my 2000 323i wagon. Same as everyone
else drive is just fine but reverse acts as if it is in neutral. In
the same situation as everyone else, this is BS.
Austin of Lubbock, TX
(1/15/09)
Yep, wonderful get in to leave work for lunch and fantastic, no
reverse. We really do need some sort of action so BMW will take
responsibility for this garbage.
Bev of Blackpool England
(1/6/09)
only 72000 on the clock of my 330i on the 2/1/2009 dropping a work
friend off put it into reverse won't move goes forward fine .gone
into local bmw dealer for repair is going to cost 2000 pound for
repair. also spoken to bmw direct will not accept there is an
ongoing problem with the zf5hp19 gearbox which is in my car, as not
enough complaints has gone into them. but how are they going to get
this information as the dealers do not do this repair they send it
to somebody else which I have found out at my extra cost .so if
customers are side stepping the dealer, bmw won't get the feedback.
Susan of Fallbrook
(1/6/09)
Oh boy! My BMW is a 2000. Same thing. Took it to the local garage in
Fallbrook town. He could not fix it and told us we need to take it
to a dealer. We took it to Oceanside dealer before Christmas and
they want $6,000. We pulled it out and so we were charged 250.00 for
looking at it. No mention that this happens all the time to others.
Steve of Franklin, TN
(1/5/09)
No
reverse on my 2000 323i with 84,000 miles on it. Just replaced the
transmission with a remanufactured one at a cost of $3800 (parts and
labor). Unfortunately, I don't live close to any of the rebuild
shops listed on this website. I didn't have enough faith in the
local ones. Please include me in any class action suit also. Are any
of you attorneys who know how to get one started?
M.B. of New Hampshire
(1/5/09)
I also just experienced this reverse transmission problem w/ my 2000
3 series sports wagon to the tune of $$4800. Unfortunately, last
month I had a 100,000 mile service that cost me $$1950 (in addition
to $3000 in the past 12 months). Needless to say I am tapped out
with this BMW nonsense.
My mechanic had a very cavalier approach and simply stated this
happens quite a bit and even went into his customer data base and
gave me figures( I wasn't paying attention at the time, as I was
still in shock).
My husband has had 2-3 series and 2- 5 series vehicles.
As soon as I pick up my car, I am heading to the Honda dealership to
replace this vehicle. My husband plans to get rid of his also.
I may have been burned once, but I will never purchase another BMW
and will do my best to spread this information far and wide.
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