BMW X3 SAV hesitation problems

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 Aug 8, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 59,000 miles · NY

I brought my car into the dealership because it stalled and the check engine light came on briefly and shut off. The car was also hesitating on acceleration. The dealer determined the cause was a needed thermostat replacement. However, once under the car, the technician noted 3 of 4 engine mount bolts were "broken" and needed to be replaced. He said it was considered "wear and tear" and was not covered under warranty even though only one bolt was now holding the engine from falling out. This repair would cost approximately $400. Upon investigation, I noticed this website: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=528870 where people post about their bmws. It seems that several others have had this serious problem around the same mileage point with the same make and model, and several complained that the repair was not covered under warranty, even though it appears to be a manufacturing defect as the bolts are made of aluminum, not a strong material, and one that easily breaks.

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 Aug 3, 2010 · Transmission · 36,000 miles · WI

This vehicle is a bmw x3 3.0si. When the vehicle is in first gear, there is a severe hesitation in the transmission. When you try to accelerate, the transmission "thinks" about what gear it should be in. The vehicle hesitates, stalls slightly, and creeps along slowly before second gear catches. The rpms are erratic when accelerating. Very unpredictable when trying to accelerate. The hesitation is the main issue, especially when trying to pull out of an intersection across traffic. It can become a very scary situation when you want to accelerate and nothing happens. This is an ongoing problem. Nothing in particular causes it to happen besides regular acceleration. The problem is intermittent and may disappear while driving. However, it will appear again for no real reason. A software update was performed in mid-july. The problem was still noticeable. On august 3rd, the vehicle was once again brought in for service work. The service manager came along for the drive and noticed the transmission problem. Another 2008 bmw x3 that was on the lot was driven under the same driving conditions. The same issues with the transmission were noted. He told me that they will contact bmw to see if there are any service bulletins on how to correct the problem, but was unaware of any fix currently available. After two service calls the problem still persists without any fix as of yet.

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 $$$.