BMWBoard.com Steptronic Reverse to Forward engagement problem (aka Sliptronic) FAQ
This FAQ may be reproduced or reposted provided that the content is not modified, added to or deleted in any way. The information provided has not been reviewed by or endorsed by BMW North America.
Copyright 2004 BMWBoard.com
What is the purpose of this FAQ?
The purpose of this FAQ is to provide basic, factual information about the Sliptronic problem and to provide individuals that experience the problem with knowledge to help them decide on how to address and resolve the problem. All information provided is current as of April 2004.
Who compiled this FAQ?
The FAQ has been compiled from various posts by BMWBoard members who have experienced the problem, own or have ordered a car that may develop the problem, or have an interest in providing helpful information.
What is the Sliptronic automatic transmission engagement problem?
Sliptronic occurs when the vehicle has been unused for a period of around 12 to 24 hours or more. When the vehicle is started and , backed up for a short distance, and shifted into drive, the transmission fails to immediately engage. The engine will rev to anywhere between 1500 and 4000 rpm. It may slip for several seconds up to 30 or 40 seconds. It will then engage and drive normally. The problem usually will not repeat until the vehicle has cooled down and is not used for 12 to 24 hours or more.
When was the problem identified by owners?
On the BMWBoard, owners first started reporting the problem in the summer of 2003.
What model and year of vehicles are affected?
Based on current information, certain 3 series and X5 models. BMW uses two manufacturers of Steptronic transmissions – GM (General Motors) and European manufacturer ZF. The problem has been isolated to a transmission design manufactured by GM. Some reports say that the transmissions were manufactured in France, but there is no BMW official confirmation of this information.
The problem appears to affect the following vehicles with GM transmissions. Note that the dates such as ‘03/’04 refer to model year. Some ’03 model year cars were built in 2002:
'03/'04(up to 11/03) E46 with M54 and GM5 Trans. 325iA, 325XiA, 330XiA, and from 03/03 325A/330A Coupe, Convertible, '03/04 (up to 12/03) E53 X5 3.0 with GM5 Trans.
Be aware that this information was posted by a BMWBoard member and has not been confirmed. Therefore, it should be used as a guideline only.
How many vehicles are affected?
There has been speculation about the number of vehicles affected but there is no firm information.
How can I reproduce the problem?
1. Allow the vehicle to sit unused for at least 24 hours.
2. Start the vehicle.
3. Immediately shift to reverse.
4. Backup 30 to 50 feet.
5. Immediately shift to D (not sport mode or M1)
6. Step on the gas pedal normally.
What has BMW said about the problem?
BMW has acknowledged the problem and has issued a TIS Bulletin. The following information was posted by a BMWBoard member and has not been confirmed. Therefore, it should be used as a guideline only.
=====================================================
BMW TIS 24 07 03 Dated Feb 2004:
Situation:
Customer may complain of a delayed P to D (2 to 30 seconds) during the first cold start in the morning.
Cause:
Unfavorable tolerances of C1 clutch housing causing internal transmission pressure leak after extended overnight parking
Correction:
On a customer complaint basis only after verifying the above situation, replace the transmission with the improved unit.
=====================================================
You can get a copy of the bulletin at
http://www.bmwtis.com . BMW charges a subscription fee of $25.
Is this telling me that they are replacing my transmission with a new one?
No. The TIS as posted by a BMWBoard member refers to the problem as “Unfavorable tolerances of C1 clutch housing…” and states “…replace the transmission with the improved unit.”
Many owners have had remanufactured transmissions installed. According to multiple reports, this is a used transmission housing with all new components inside. All owners were told that the remanufactured transmission carries a full warranty.
Some owners have had a new clutch pack installed into the existing transmission by a GM technician at the BMW dealer. All owners were told that this replacement carries a full warranty.
Early attempts to fix the problem used only a software patch. By all accounts, the software patch alone did not solve the problem. However, software updates have been installed in conjunction with a new transmission or clutch.
I don’t think it’s right that a new BMW should have a remanufactured transmission or clutch pack installed!
As far as anyone can determine, BMW meets all legal warranty obligations with this solution. A later section of this FAQ provides information on other possible actions.
Has the transmission replacement really fixed the problem?
July 2003 through November or December 2003 can best be described as a troubleshooting period. Work performed by BMW did not fix the problem. It appears that sometime in November or December the source of the problem was correctly identified and the problem was resolved. The exact time frame is unknown.
As of the writing of this FAQ (April 2004), a number of transmissions and clutch packs have been replaced in January and February. Almost all owners who are reporting state that the problem appears to be solved. Some are reporting that they notice all-around improved transmission performance. There has been one owner on BMWBoard who continues to have problems. In this case, the owner indicated that additional non-transmission related problems developed after the replacement and suggested that the problems may be with the dealer’s work performance.
Are new cars that have been sitting on the lot being retrofitted if they have the bad transmission?
This is unknown.
Are brand new cars being produced at the factory since January shipping with new, corrected transmissions?
This is unknown. It up to the reader to decide whether BMW would continue to ship defective transmissions after identifying the problem. Refer to the dates referenced in the TIS.
Did BMW sell known defective cars? Don’t they have an obligation to new buyers and/or stop selling vehicles until the problem was corrected?
This FAQ is not intended to address legal or liability issues. A later section of this FAQ provides information on organizations to contact if you feel this situation occurred.
Are there any safety issues related to this problem?
There have been no reports of accidents, fires, injuries, etc. by BMWBoard members. The issue has been raised that while backing out into traffic, the transmission has slipped and created a potentially dangerous situation.
Has BMW issued a safety recall?
At this time BMW has not issued a safety recall. There are unconfirmed written and verbal reports that a voluntary safety recall is being considered by BMW.
I tried this and it did not occur! Does this mean I will never have the problem?
Some individuals report that the problem has occurred with a few hundred miles on the vehicle. Others have reported no problems until 1500 to 3000 miles. It is difficult to predict if or when a particular vehicle with the GM transmission will fail.
My car has the Sliptronic problem! What should I do?
This FAQ is not intended to recommend any single path to resolution of your problem. With that said, your FIRST step should be to contact your dealer and report the problem. Regardless of any other decisions you make or problems you do or don’t encounter, it is important that you report the problem with your local dealer so that it is on record.
Explain the problem clearly to the dealer and reference the TIS number. The dealer will have access to this information. Take a copy of this FAQ along as supporting documentation. Any further decisions should be based on the results of your particular situation and values.
I refuse to accept anything other than: a brand new transmission, a new car, a complete refund, a cancellation my pending order and get all of my deposit back, etc. My dealer worked on my car and it is worse than ever!
It is up to each person affected to decide what is acceptable or not acceptable for their own personal situation and values:
- You may be able to pursue the Lemon Law. Note that the specifics requirements for Lemon Law vary by state.
- You may be working with a less than competent dealer. Is there another dealer in the area?
- File complaints with local, state and federal agencies
- File a complaint with BMWNA.
The following resources have been suggested by BMWBoard members:
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm
You can register a complaint, search for previous complaints, investigations, bulletins and recalls. When performing your search the following criteria will be helpful:
Select "Search"
Select type of search "Vehicle"
Select "Year" 2004
Select "Make" BMW
Select "Model" 325 Ci
Select "Component" Auto-Transmission
Select "Document Search"
As of March 2004, there were a number of complaints and an investigation active, with supporting PDF documents online.
BMW North America
BMW of North America, LLC.
300 Chestnut Ridge Road, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677
Telephone : +1 201 307-4000
Telefax : +1 201 307-4095
Web sit :
http://www.bmwusa.com
Chairman & CEO : Tom Purvis
Exec. V.P., Finance & CFO : Dr.Thomas Wittig
V.P., Marketing : James McDowell
V.P., Aftersales & Engineering : Hans Duenzl
V.P., Operations : Ed Robinson
Your state Consumer Protection Agency :
Example: New York -
http://www.consumer.state.ny.us/
Lemon Law Information - useful information about the Lemon Law, note that it does promote services by legal firms specializing in Lemon Law litigation.
http://www.lemonlawamerica.com/
Your local Better Business Bureau
HELP!!!
![[screwy]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_screwy.gif "Screwy [screwy]"){kind=icon}
![[scratch]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_headscratch.gif "Head Scratch [scratch]"){kind=icon}
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
Everytime I ask for something I have to leave them my car for a couple of days. I go get it and all I get to hear from them is, " there was nothing wrong with it." ![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]"){kind=icon}
Extremely confussed.
![[:D]](/images/smilies/biggrin.png "Big Grin [:D]")
