2007 BMW X3 SAV: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Jan 28, 2014 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · MN

Severe acceleration and deceleration issues with transmission on 2007 bmw e83 x3. Once the engine has reached normal operating temperature, transmission issues are more noticeable. My vehicle does not respond immediately to throttle input when starting from a dead stop. Several hesitative jerks are felt and then the vehicle accelerates very slowly. Often times during this sequence, the exhaust emits a huge plume of smoke, blinding drivers behind the vehicle. Upon deceleration, my vehicle may downshift harshly, generating a forward surge of acceleration because the transmission fails to match engine revs with the lower gear; I have only experienced this particular characteristic at low speeds (<20 MPH). Also while decelerating, my vehicle may lose power, which results in a loss of power steering, making the vehicle very difficult to turn. I have not been able to determine a deceleration rate that "triggers" this behavior. I am a test engineer and a performance driving instructor with bmw cca. I have regularly driven bmws over the past decade and have never experienced this issue with any other models that I have driven (e46, e39, e63). I also have limited racing experience in e30 bmws. I.e. I know how an engine/transmission is suppose to accelerate and decelerate under a wide variety of conditions. These acceleration/deceleration issues are very concerning to me.

Filed Jun 27, 2013 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · NM

The vehicle hesitates when starting from a stop despite pressing the accelerator pedal. The hesitation ranges from 1-3 seconds before the vehicle accelerates. The hesitation is often accompanied by the dynamic traction control activation light illuminating. This is particularly troubling when accelerating through an intersection or making a turn from a stop through an intersection. I do not feel safe letting my family drive the vehicle with this problem.

Filed Apr 17, 2012 · Transmission · 64,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw x3. The contact stated that while driving various speeds and attempting to engage the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would hesitate and then lunge forward abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 64,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2012 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · WA

There is a delay in throttle response through the 1-2, 2-3 upshift when accelerating from a stop; there is a lack of power or hesitation when reapplying throttle, during either a 4-3 or 3-2 tip-in downshift. This may occur after slowing and coming to a stop on a hill and then continuing into a turn; harsh downshifts when slowing on a roadway with hills; downshifts become violent. Bmw dealer has looked at vehicle twice for same concern but seems to be getting worse. This all happens under light acceleration. The vehicle has almost stalled 3 times in the last 2 days, once making a left turn with oncoming traffic at an intersection with no light, and the other two times while entering a roundabout. Bmw na says see a dealer and the dealer does nothing.

Filed Jan 15, 2012 · Transmission · 38,800 miles · CA

Transmission continues to hesitate @ low gears, especially at initial accelerations while stopped @ a stop sign or signal light. Automatic transmission hesitates,car jolts trying to find the right gear. The car then jumps into a higher gear and dangerously accelerates rapidly. In addition, when driving on a steep downhill decline, the car adjusts well; however, when transitioning to a level surface street after a steep downhill, the gear will not shift into the appropriate gear (I.e., was stuck in previous gear). On 6/14/2010, took car to dealer. They "performed bmw diagnosis control unit function, there is no fault record in control unit, and at test drive i9 could not duplicate customer complaint at this time." no fix was provided. After years of minor jolts when accelerating (I believe in 1st and 2nd) & then a rapid kick acceleration to 3rd, no major incidents have occurred but safety on road has been compromised. I have learned to ease into accelerations with this car and do not allow anyone to drive this car because of unexpected hesitations/accel. On 1/14/2012, I had a close call entering an intersection after I was stopped at a light. As I proceeded into the intersection to turn left, the car hesitated & stalled in middle of intersection, then jerked forward and yellow transmission light came on. I parked on the side of the road, put it in "p" & turned engine off. Turned it back on and tranny light remained on and car would not accelerate in "d"; however, it would allow me to "reverse." it took three attempts (on/off engine) and the car went into "d" with hesitation. I attempted to drive home and car stalled at the next light. Was stuck in middle of road for 2 minutes trying to get it in gear. "d" finally worked. I parked in a lot, turned engine off for 15 minutes. Car has been working ok rest of day but it is not safe! This is seriously dangerous!!!!!

Filed Dec 17, 2011 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · MO

In acceleration the car will hang and hesitate, and lunge. In a slow down situation the car will violent lerch from one gear to the next, and can not things out of the seats.

Filed Jul 14, 2009 · Transmission · 4,800 miles · GA

Slowing down to take a left hand turn at a traffic light, once the coast is clear, pressed accelerator to turn and the vehicle "hesitates" and does not react to the input. Traffic is now oncoming and vehicle still not moving, finally it starts to go. Barely get across the lane before the oncoming traffic is in the spot we just left. Vehicle does not shift smoothly; it has a jerky motion between 1,2 and 3rd gears. Often times when slowing down it down shifts harshly, searching for the correct gear. In the morning when first started and driven down the street to the stop sign, it will lurch forward several times while you are holding your foot on the brake. This vehicle is not safe to drive in it's present condition because the operator does not know whether it will react to input or not. You are forced to cross traffic with extreme caution.

Filed Feb 11, 2009 · Transmission · OH

2007 bmw x3 automatic transmission: have been complaining to bmw about this problem since spring of 2007. The vehicle has been in the shop more than a month (total from numerous visits). At a stop light the transmission will occasionally surge & if not for foot firmly on the brake that surge would throw me into the car ahead. It has surged when parking almost ramming me into the side of a building. I almost went through a file cabinet and into the wall in my garage yesterday. Hesitates when changing lanes & through intersections. I've almost been hit numerous times. Almost rammed from the rear at 70mph on the freeway when transmission hesitated & wouldn't accelerate. The engine will rev and the transmission won't kick in for a few seconds. Then the car takes off like a rocket. This vehicle with this particular transmission is dangerous. I've been trying incessantly to get bmw to help me for well over a year. All levels say they will help but it never happens short of a transmission reprogramming which doesn't eliminate the problem...and they know it. Bmw states the "vehicle is operating as designed". What a stunning admission! This is a huge problem and quite easy to verify. Service managers admit the problem too...and bmw is saying they designed the vehicle this way??? Who has to die in an accident before this is taken care of? Bmw had a regional tech engineer evaluate my vehicle. He says it's "operating as designed". He also said there are no 'faults'. A service mgr once told me that 'faults' don't always register in the computer so having 'no faults' isn't unusual. By the way, bmw had me take the car in to get reprogrammed shortly "before" that regional tech did his evaluation. Yes, they reprogrammed it "then" sent him in! Nothing was found? Go figure! What could I do? It's a leased vehicle. I couldn't just sell it or take it back to the dealer. Why do they refuse to help me when it would cost next to nothing. They love my $$$.

Filed Oct 21, 2008 · Transmission · TX

My car hesitates to change gears during a cold start and there it is a clicking noise when I press the gas pedal.

Filed Sep 23, 2008 · Transmission · 16,000 miles · TX

The vehicle hesitates and is quite unsafe especially when making turns at intersections. Cars would be coming at you while you are 'praying' for it to move! It happens regularly but unpredictably. Sort of like playing russian roulette! The main problem, aside from performance is safety-safety-safety! The car was purchased new and is still under bmw warranty. It's been in the dealership for 3 weeks now! According to them, they are replacing the trans-axle! The same exact problem is happening to all of its owners. Check: http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f11ffdc/0 subject: bmw x3 hesitation on acceleration.

Filed Jul 2, 2008 · Acceleration, Transmission · 70 miles · CA

The transmission on the 2007 bmw x3 (gm6 transmission) hesitates in acceleration during drive mode. It has become unsafe to make a fast lane change. I almost got rear-ended today. I live in a mountain top community so driving down hill the down shift in manual (steptronic) 4th to 3rd and 3rd to 2nd pretty much allows the car to lung forward as if in neutral. In relying on the transmission to safely slow the car it practically forces you into the rear of another car or does not allow me to safe slow the car without having to use hard breaking. My car has been in the shop 5 times now. I am being told "this is just the way it is" I spent 6 hours with the bmw regional engineer test driving and doing software modifications. We compared this to a 2008 model. Any x3 with the same transmission is going to have the same issue.

Filed Jul 1, 2008 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · IL

Bmw x3 stalls/hesitates when accelerating to merge into normal traffic flow. Vehicle has problems when accelerating from a stoplight or sign. Transmission rev's very high. Have experienced dangerous or life threatening moments when driving this csr. Have had previous bmw's and never had this problem. Have taken car in for servicing once and it is going in again.