10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 86,167 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
As reported by many, many, other BMW 323I car owners, I too, have lost the ability to go in reverse. Just like the complaints from people all over the internet say, the car just sits there when you put it in reverse, as if it's in neutral. You can rev the engine, but you go nowhere. And like the others mentioned, I've called BMW, but customer relations says they're not aware of any problem, and won't assume any responsibility since the car is out of warranty. It only had 69,600 miles on it when the problem occurred. A local dealership said it would cost thousands to fix it, and would be happy to make those repairs after I bring it in, and pay them $100 for the diagnosis. I've called 3 different auto repair shops and each one is very, very, familiar with the problem. One shop owner said the 1999 and 2000 model 323I's had the same bad transmission, and that he's repaired the same problem in every one that has crossed his path. Plus, mechanics have told me that BMW has come up with an updated part to make the repair. So why would BMW make a new part if there is no such problem? plus, this is becoming a safety issue. I had to push my car to get out of a parking space, and it nearly ran over me. A recall should be issued before someone gets hurt if they haven't already!
- Savannah, GA, USA
I have a 2000 3.23I BMW. It has been dealer serviced and is in excellent condition. It has 89,000 miles. The other day I tried to back out of my parking space and the car wouldn't go in reverse. It drives fine, so I took it to princetonl BMW and was in formed I would need another transmission. I am very upset, the cost for repair -5400.00.. I happened upon this site (www.noreverse.org) while looking for a transmission and can not believe all the people who are having this same exact problem. BMW needs to recall this transmission as it is defective.
- Plainsboro, NJ, USA
My 2000 BMW 323I with steptronic transmission stopped going in to reverse. When placed in reverse it operates as if it is in neutral. After researching this problem on the internet I found an overwhelming number of car owners that have the exact problem. All say that BMW is ignoring the problem since it is too expensive to recall. Consumers are left with a bill of anywhere from $4000 -$8000 in transmission replacement.
- Cedar, MI, USA
2000 BMW 323ci will not move when in reverse gear; the car behaves as if it is neutral. This happened suddenly, with no warning. The car had no issues leading up to this, no warning lights, etc. The car has been immaculately maintained and serviced. There are literally hundreds of complaints on the web, including at your forum, about this identical problem.
- Van Nuys, CA, USA
I have a 2000 BMW 323I car. About a week ago I went out to go to work and the car would not back up. I started researching the problem on the internet and there are hundreds of cases of this problem with this car. It seems that the transmission has a defective part and that a high % of these are going bad. It cost $4000+ dollars to repair. There is a website dedicated to the no-reverse problem. There are also many post on a Consumer Affairs site about the problems people are having. BMW knows there is a problem but will not do anything. Below are a couple of websites about the problem. Someone needs to help, I can't afford to pay for this repair. Thanks www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/bmw_trans.html www.noreverse.org/index.html the noreverse site even shows a picture of the defective part.
- Decatur, AL, USA
Automatic transmission on 2000 323I will not go into reverse. Fed up!!! too expensive to repair. BMW will do nothing. Same failure very wide-spread. Problem is all too well known to BMW. They just don't care.
- Buchanan, GA, USA
I have a 2000 323I model and just yesterday the car's reverse gear stopped engaging. I researched the internet and see that a lot of folks are experiencing this problem. BMW needs to stand up and issue a recall.
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 323I. The vehicle failed to move when it was placed into reverse. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic and he stated that the transmission failed. The transmission was previously replaced in 2006. The current mileage was 57,000 and failure mileage was 48,306.
- Newington, CT, USA
Like the hundreds of others on the Consumer Affairs website, my 2000 BMW 323I with 84K miles failed to go into reverse. I was at a store and proceeded to back out of the parking space when the car would not go into reverse. There were no warnings - ever. The car was running smoothly. I had the car towed to BMW of arlington and was told that the transmission was shot and the cost will be $5,000 for a remanufactured transmission. I decided to check the web and was astounded that there were hundreds of BMW 2000 323I owners with the exact same problem. I contacted BMW of America via email and was given the same response as the other owners of "normal wear and tear." Many owners had less than 50,000 and BMW is not owning up to the problem. Many had discovered that the transmission is a GM transmission and that GM issued a recall on its vehicles own vehicles however BMW had not and will not acknowledge the problem, but interestingly they are no longer using these transmissions. A class action is being discussed and rightly so. This is a rip off of thousands of consumers and definitely is a safety issue. I can see someone not being able to back up off of a train track, etc. Please issue a recall. Thank you.
- Washington, DC, USA
Transmission would suddenly not go into reverse. Seems to be a known problem. I've heard there is a tsb 613552 on this problem but can't get my hands on it. Vehicle always serviced by BMW. Only has 68,000 miles and taken care of like a baby. BMW totally uncooperative and arrogant. Web site www.noreverse.org shows how widespread the problem is.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
Without warning transmission failed to go into reverse. New transmission needed with only 87,000 miles.
- Minnetonka, MN, USA
A few days ago my 2000 BMW 323I would hesitated before going into reverse. It stopped working completely two days ago and I took it into a car mechanic who told me I need a new transmission and that this was the third time he needed to put a new transmission in a 2000 bmwi in the past year including one in August. I have just over 30,000 miles on the car and he said the transmission should not fail with that low mileage. BMW was of no help at all and said there was nothing they could do since the car was out of warranty.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
Automatic transmission fails to go into reverse.
- Marietta, GA, USA
Without warning reverse gear failed on my 2000 BMW 323I.
- Bellevue, NE, USA
The contact owns a 2000 BMW 323I. While driving 2 mph, the vehicle would not move when shifted into reverse only moving forward. The mechanic stated that the transmission failed. As of October 5, 2007, the dealer and mechanic had not repaired the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 58,900. Updated 12/12/2007 the consumer stated car lurched forward into another vehicle. The consumer stated the amount of repairs would be $5,000. Updated 12/12/07
- Lajolla, CA, USA
I own a 2000 BMW 323ci convertible with automatic transmission, with 77,000 miles on it. The vehicle has had one previous owner and has been meticulously cared for and serviced. Last week (9/4/07) the car would not go into reverse. The BMW dealer has told me that the vehicle needs the whole transmission replaced at a cost of $5,000. I did some research on the internet and found that this appears to be a common problem with this vehicle. I cannot afford to pay for this repair.
- Wrentham, MA, USA
Transmission failure - reverse function no longer working.
- St. Paul, MN, USA
My well-maintained 2000 BMW 323I (with only 100K miles) has lost the reverse function - I will require a new transmission with an estimated cost of $4000.
- St. Paul, MN, USA
2000 BMW 323I sedan - cannot reverse. Meticulously maintained car. No warning light came on. The car cannot reverse and I was stuck in a parking garage. Was told by the repair shop that I need a new transmission. There are thousands of complaints on the internet complaining about the same issue for the same year and model. BMW needs to do a recall!
- San Jose, CA, USA
- Frisco, TX, USA