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 own a 2000 BMW 328I. Around February 2007, I parked the car in a parking stall. When I returned, the car would not go into reverse. I had to push the car out of the stall. Since then, the car either hesitates to reverse or completely fails to go in reverse about half the time I drive it. My mechanic informs me that the transmission needs to be replaced. I am about to have it replaced at a cost of $4,000. I discovered today that this problem is wide spread in circa 2000 BMW 3 series cars. One website I found containing over one hundred similar complaints from throughout the country is: www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/bmw_trans.html. there is apparently a design defect in the transmission. BMW N.a. denies any problem, despite the fact they discontinued use of the particular transmission in later models. I am informed that if the transmission fails while driving, the car will suddenly stop. The danger is obvious. Please investigate.

- Menifee, 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 on a BMW 323ci (2000) suddenly failed. It will no longer go into reverse. Forward seems fine. There were no warning signs. There is no maintenance to be performed. Car has 65xxx miles.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

Automatic transmission on 2000 BMW 323ci with 52,000 miles failed in reverse only. Properly maintained and driven less than 10,000 miles per year. Initial diagnosis cost $327, and told estimated cost of replacing transmission was $5500. No reason found as to why the transmission failed. Told that if keep driving the car that the entire transmission will eventually fail which was a serious danger on the highway.

- Portland, OR, USA

A week and a half ago I took the well maintained 2000 323ci BMW to dealer for the 60,000 mile service, costing over $700 for normal" servicing. A day after the service I had to return the car as I had found washer fluid pooled under the vehicle in the garage. I was told the washer pump failed, I then paid an additional $100 to have it fixed. A week later I put the car in reverse to go down the driveway and heard a loud "bang. The car would not engage in reverse. I had the car towed to the dealership and today they informed me the transmission failed, which would cost over $5,000 for repair. I was just thankful that this didn't happen on the road. The dealership service representative I have been working with stated that BMW was aware that there were problems with the transmission placed in certain BMW vehicles, specifically a transmission used in the 3 series made by GM. I then went on line to consumeraffairs.com and noted hundreds of similar complaints about the 3 series transmission failure and BMW of failing to take responsibility for this. Blog entries expressed the obvious frustration, enormous costs and the possibility of filing a class action suit because the faulty transmission was obviously a manufacturing defect and should be recalled. Obviously my complaint wa S two-fold: 1. the ultimate driving mechanism had a risk factor in safety in that there was obviously a design defect in the transmissions used, causing the transmission to go out while operating, and the only other replacement transmission that can be put in was the same type which might suggest the same incident could happen again. 2.) the cost/repair factor was unexpected and ridiculous because this was not a driver or service neglect problem but one of design. Was this a matter for recall and or class action suit?

- Fayetteville, GA, USA

I'm the original owner of a 2000 323I with the automatic transmission. The car is carefully driven and cared for. For the past 7 years, vancouver brian jessel BMW has performed all of the maintenance. It now has 75,000 km. This morning when I went to back my car out of the driveway, it would not go into reverse. It feels like it's in neutral. When I checked on the internet, I was shocked to see how many other BMW owners are experiencing the same problem. It is obvious that the problem is caused by the factory defect on the transmission. BMW should take responsibility to fix the problem at their cost.

- Vancouver, 00, USA

My 2000 BMW 328I with 85000 miles will not go into reverse anymore. A search of this problem at consumeraffairs.com showed that this seems to be a very common problem with this year and model of car. Here is the link. www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/bmw_trans.html please note this car is in excellent condition and has always been maintained according to BMW guidelines at either a BMW dealer or a BMW specialist. Also this car is driven by adults only and in a gentle fashion. This problem is not a random problem based upon the internet searches I have conducted. I'm quite sure there are many more folks who have experienced this problem and have not regestered a complaint on the internet.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

Transmission failure twice!! first failure occurred on 4/20/02 with 49,123 miles. From the complaints I've read looks as though the failures all occur between 40,000 - 50,000 miles. The transmission is supposed to good to 100,000 not 40,000!! please help!

- Los Altos, CA, USA

Vehicle was purchased brand new from dealer. Vehicle does not drive in reverse. Vehicle only has 4yr 50,000 miles warranty. The car has around 53,000 miles. They will not cover the repair.

- Newark, NJ, USA