Automatic Transmission problems of the 2004 BMW 5 Series

Vehicle lunges forward at low speeds such as parking; 4 times in the last month, when I am pulling out of a parking space, the vehicle has lunged forward. 2 of those 4 times, I almost hit the vehicle in front of me. I had shifted from reverse, to drive, and just taken my foot off of the brake, and the vehicle jumped forward. The dealer has continued to say that things are ok and normal. They are not normal. Additionally, I have other shifting issues below: --35mph (5th to 6th hesitation) 5-6 hard shift (sport mode going 45-55 mph) slow to engage reverse -- gear shifting in general is just sloppy (the loaner that the dealer provided, shifted great).

Transmission slams into gear when taking off from an almost stopped position causing the vehicle to jump forward violently. This has launched me into intersections and caused me to almost rear-end several vehicles. This happens on a weekly basis of daily driving. The dealership wants to reprogram the transmission computer at a cost to me(vehicle out of warranty) even though this is a known problem.

1. I identified a problem with the 2004 BMW 545i which I have. I researched the issue, which I will explain below (in section 2 as requested), online, and found that hundreds of people have had the same issue. I found that in some instances, BMW correctly diagnosed the issue, however in many instances, they did not (in section 3, as requested). 2. "the car would shift into 5th gear & then between 35-40mph at a very low 1200rpm or so I would get the surging or slipping of the transmission. It was a very light repetitive hesitation. It almost felt like the electronics were trying to decide whether it should stay in 5th or shift back to 4th because of low rpm's. It would happen with an extremely light accelerator pressure. If you gave it a little more gas it would go away. A couple times I'd get a really harsh surge almost like the "slam". The manner that the car behaves can really cause an accident with the surge in the transmission, & the distraction that it causes to the driver. It has become a distraction to me, being the driver, & also noticed by passengers in the vehicle, when they feel the car surge, & their is another vehicle in front of me. 3. I took the car to a BMW dealership, & described the issue. The service advisor (representative) stated that they would look at the vehicle, as they had other complaints about this, as well. He said that they would probably need to do a software upgrade, or replace the transmission. I received the car back, & was told that the software was upgraded, & to take the vehicle and see how it drove. I drove the vehicle home, & the issue was still there. The repair invoice says the software was not updated. It already had the latest version. I took the car back, and they stated the operation of the car is normal. It is not normal. . Read more...

Car suddenly and violently lunges forward from a stop, slow speeds or when at low rpms. It occurs several times per day and it feels as if being rear ended.