I wish the "poll" would have had separate entries for 4.4 and 3.0 engines. Curious to see the failure rate for trans with 4.4 vs. 3.0. Wonder whether the 4.4 trans fails more or less often than 3.0. I have nearly 100K on my '02 3.0, never changed fluid, all appears OK at this point re the transmission. Wish my X5 had a manual.

51000 Mile Transmssion Failure X5 4.4i
 

More on Transmissions
 

JBW - in case this might help. You might contact Wolfgang at Peter Schmidt Transmissions in Burlingame, CA (near San Francisco). The phone is 650 348-3990. (FYI, I have no financial interests with this business.) They are an authorized ZF shop and the one who rebuilt mine. Wolfgang is very knowledgeable and helpful, and possibly can direct you to a ZF shop in your area, or, handle a transmission exchange via shipping with your indy shop? He's also quite familiar with this problem. Note that these same transmissions are also used in Jags (XK8s), Audi's, other BMWs, and Mercedes', and perhaps others. I should note that when mine went out the problem was so great that the replacement part was on "global backorder" for months. I was able to locate one in Detroit by exercising some auto industry contacts I have. I don't know if this situation has improved. Also, I've received reports from MANY owners with this problem. There seems to be no relation to mileage of the vehilce. Some only had a couple thousand miles on them and were replaced under warranty. The failure mileage runs from 2,000 to 150,000, and everything in-between. The ZF transmission is ONLY used in the X5 V8's. The transmission used on the 3.0 6 cylinders was supplied by GM (Hydromatic). Do we have any class-action attorney's out there interested in looking into this???

MK

Thanks, MK. I'll let my mechanic know.

I have an X5 4.8is with 110km on the clock and it go the same problem as a few members. When cold the transmission will hesitate between 1st and 2sd (with a bang most often). I would like to know if someone fix that problem without changing the transmission. Do a transmission oil change will fix the problem?
Thanks

The transmission is sealed and the old transmission fluid cannot be drained out in its entirety. In an attempt to avoid replacing the transmission, my mechanic replaced one of the seals after adding as much new transmission fluid as he could. That did not solve the shifting problem and I wound up replacing the transmission at 51,000 miles - what a travesty! Wish I could be more positive about your chances for a less costly fix.

Seek a ZF Specialist
 

FYI, I sent a reply from my iPhone several days ago, but it seems it didn't make it through. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND you stop driving the vehicle immediately. ZF specialists have advised that a cracked clutch housing can result in a catastrophic transmission failure, potentially fracturing the housing and dumping transmission fluid under your wheels and/or causing a lockup condition. This is definitely a SAFETY HAZARD. The symptoms you have are indicative of the cracked clutch housing problem on the ZF transmission. Have it towed to the nearest authorized ZF transmission service center ASAP for diagnosis. As it has been explaind to me by ZF specialists, the alloy casting that comprises the clutch housing has design flaws. Its very thin and light, and cracks. Once that happens, you get the symptoms you are feeling. Further loading can lead to housing failure. They can rebuild it for around $3K (they replace the housing with a revised design version). I'm reasonably sure that's the best you'll be able to do. Sorry to hear about your misfortune (and mine, and many others out there). If you live the US, I also recommend you report this failure to Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation. This is a serious safety defect. If they receive enough complaints, they will open an investigation which could lead to some corrective action from BMW. Good luck, and stay safe.

X5 Transmission Problems
 

I have a 2004 X5 with ongoing transmission problems I had a lurch whilst doing 60km per hour with the vehicle changing between 5th and 6th and back to 5th again every 45 seconds. After a reset of the gearbox computer it lost the lurch and developed the 'shunt' where the gearbox thumps into 1st gear when coming to a halt (feels like getting rear ended by the car behind). I had the software upgraded the fluid changed and the shunting has gone BUT the lurch has returned :-(

They sent the data from the car to BMW Australia and they said the gearbox needs replacing. I said after researching X5 world posts that it is temperature related and they didnt believe me because it only starts to happen after about 30 minutes of driving.

On Saturday 17th April I brought the car in for a 'Pit Stop' where they checked the oil etc. On the way home the Transmission overheated after getting stuck in traffic. Every alarm in the car came on Transmission overheating, 4X4 failure, ABS failure, software program failure, coolant warning, hand brake warning!!!!! I drove straight back to the dealer and the engine is running cool but the transmission radiator is too hot to touch!!! they have determined that the heater valve is blocked starving the transmission of cooling fluid in the heat exchanger. $400 ex germany. I will see if this resolves the problem.

The annoying thing is that I had them check this valve 2 times already with a coolant system flush and change of the transmission fluid! They told me the valves are fine and no need to replace them.

The thing is here DONT RELY ON THE DEALER, use X5 world to research the problem yourself!!!

Cheers

Ian

mine went right at 75k miles of easy driving. was working fine stopped at a red light, when it turned green it wouldnt go forward only in reverse. $6000 later i had a new tranny. no doubt the tranny is the weak link on the vehicle. I cant imagine if i went off road or towed with it how soon it would blow up.

2002 x5 4.6is, 130,000 miles on the original transmission. Drained and refilled fluid at around 120,000. Wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country tonight.