The vehicle (1.6 turbo) has a hesitancy to engage in acceleration relative to pressing the accelerator pedal. Once engaged, it immediately jumps out to a quick, jolting and what feels like an uncontrollable start. This typically happens at stop/start intersections where the car comes to a full and complete stop. Yesterday, (07.20.16) the vehicle choked and sputtered and almost stalled on a small rise when traffic started moving through a just-turned green light at a very busy intersection during rush hour. The tachometer winds out in a manner disproportionate to the speedometer reading. This does not mimic the effects of a turbo lag. Rather, it feels like the vehicle isn't getting a timely delivery of gas to the engine firing mechanisms (we would liken it to a dirty fuel line or a clogged carburetor on older cars), or the dual clutch system is debating whether or not to get in gear when demanded, or whatever device that interprets driver commands (pedal pushing) to engine performance isn't responding efficiently. The car has had one shop visit for this issue and the dealer (werner Hyundai, tallahassee) stated they 'reset the software." I will be taking the car back to the dealer the week of July 25, 2016. Unfortunately, I anticipate this issue will lead to a wreck, most likely from 1) being hit from behind as the car tries to figure out whether or not to accelerate, or 2) being T-boned at an intersection because the car won't accelerate through a rush-hour yellow light, or 3) being T-boned because my car launched (literally) out into oncoming traffic (that initially was at a safe distance away) once it got past the choke/sputter/stall point....updated 08/01/16

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

My 2004 BMW 325xi sedan was about to carefully back into a service bay from just outside the garage door. Aware of the need for precision and care (there were people and items near the bay), I shifted into reverse, then very gently stepped on the accelerator pedal. There was a momentary hesitation, then the car began to go backward slowly for about a half second and then, without any action on my part, the engine suddenly roared to life and the car went backwards at tremendous speed. Within about two seconds it had gone back some 40+ feet and, because I had turned the wheel a bit before moving the car, the rear pivoted almost 90 degrees and ran into a garage side wall another 40 or so feet away. An employee may have been brushed as the car hit the wall near him. The event happened so quickly and unexpectedly that I had no time to even step on the brake. I am a skilled driver and at no time did I step hard on the accelerator pedal. Major damage to trunk, rear panel and two doors occurred. In my ca 50 years of driving I have had only one previous accident. That was in February 2007 when, as I shifted into reverse in an icy parking lot, a gentle push on the accelerator resulted in a sudden racing of the engine and resulted in very rapid backward rush of the car. It hit a brick wall behind it and resulted in major rear end damage. It was the very same car as in the 2009 accident described above. The 2007 event was attributed to ice on the pavement and not further investigated. The car was then fully repaired by BMW in rochester NY.

- Scottsdale , AZ, USA

: the contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelarated without effort. There was emergency braking which resulted in the vehicle hitting a concrete support parking structure on the front right side of the vehicle. The vehicle almost continued over the edge of the parking structure which was two stories above the ground. Subsequently, while the vehicle was being driven home the rear ABS brake lights and the brakes lights on the dashboard illuminated. During this period, the vehicle slowed down without applying pressure to the brake. Also, the vehicle surged forward. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer and it was examined. According to the dealer, the vehicle would need diagnostic testing at a charge before the brakes chip can be replaced. The dealer determined that there was no abnormal code in the computer.

- El Cajon, CA, USA

BMW 525I 2004: Dealer says they can not set speedometer to show miles actually traveling: Instead the speedometers on all cars are set using the following formula: Speed shown on speedometer X.10 (the result) add 2.4 miles. Then take this result and subtract it from the miles shown on the speedometer to find the actual miles I am traveling! in other words if the speedometer shows I am traveling 70 mph X.10 = 7 + 2.4 = 9.4 I am actually going 60.6 miles! BMW refuses to adjust this. What can I do short of trading in car?

- Wilmington, NC, USA