Bmw M3 transmission problems
95 complaint narratives mention transmission terms.
Key facts
427 owner complaints analyzed
26 distinct recall campaigns
46,590 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 279 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Transmission and shifting evidence
95 of 427 complaints match this topic (22.2%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10054719 · 2004-01-23 (January 23, 2004)
THE GEAR SHIFT IN MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 1998 BMW M3 (4 DOOR), STICKS UNDER FIFTH GEAR AND OFTEN I AM ALSO UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR. THE ISSUE WITH THIS IS WELL KNOWN BY BMW OF NORTH AMERICA. THE DANGER HERE IS THAT WHEN I WANT TO SHIFT INTO FIFTH GEAR I CANNOT, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DOWNSHIFT FROM 4TH TO 3RD BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT NATURALLY WANTS TO GO INTO FIFTH. THIS CAN BE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN GOING INTO A TURN OR NEEDING TO DOWNSHIFT TO CONTROL ENGINE SPEED RATHER THAN USING BRAKES WHEN CONDIT…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10054719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752387 · 2001-09-19 (September 19, 2001)
VEHICLE HAS BEEN THROUGH AT LEAST FOUR SEPARATE DEALERS WITH BRAKE LIGHT FAILURES. PROBLEM CONTINUES TO REMAIN UNRESLOVED. DEALERS CANNOT LOCATE FAULT AND CONTINUES TO REPLACE BULBS OR BEND CONNECTORS ON SOCKETS. ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, OIL PAN GASKETS ALL FAILING WITH ONLY 41,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. INLET LEAKAGE ON FUEL VALVE FAILING FOR SECOND TIME. MAJOR ALTERNATOR PROBLEM FOR SECOND TIME. DESPITE REPEATED REPORTS OF ROUGH SHIFTING, WITH PROBLEMS ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING GEARS, NO ANSWER OTHER THAN EVERYTHING IS FINE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN C…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10053191 · 2004-01-14 (January 14, 2004)
THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON MY BMW M3 HAS A DEFECT. IT INVOLVES THE TRANSMISSION STICKING IN 5TH GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN SHIFTING, LEAVING THE OPERATOR WTIHOUT FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN 1999 M3S AND MANY CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH THIS. BMWS FIX IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10102760 · 2004-12-12 (December 12, 2004)
MY M3 CIC MAKES A LOUD GRINDING/CLATTER TYPE NOISE WHEN DISENGAGING THE 6-SPEED MANUAL CLUTCH IN BOTH 1ST AND REVERSE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING AT ABOUT 1-2 MPH. BMW TECH'S SAY THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION, HOWEVER, I CAN'T DUPLICATE THE SAME PROBLEM ON A NEW M3 W/6 SPEED TRANSMISSION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 46,710 miles reported. Look up ODI 10102760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 748053 · 2001-07-07 (July 7, 2001)
MY CAR EXHIBITS A LOUD CLUNKING IN THE REAR OF THE CAR WHEN SHIFTING, GOING ON/OFF GAS AND FROM RELEASING THE CLUTCH AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE SEVERITY IS INCREASING WITH MILEAGE. THE SERVICE CENTER THAT I AM USING: BURDICK BMW, 3904 BREWERTON RD., N. SYRACUSE NY 13212, [phone removed] HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE CAR. I HAVE BEGUN RECEIVING REPORTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM ULTIMATELY LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVESHAFT ATTACHMENT AT THE DIFFERENTIAL ON THEIR CARS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME AND I CANNOT HELP BUT WORRY ABOUT THE SERIOU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 748053 at NHTSA ↗