Vehicle down sifted while in automatic mode to safe mode. The vehicles transmission down shifted while operating at 75 mph on beltway. Vehicle immediately shifted into "limp" mode with speeds limitation. This transmission failure is common with this zf transmission that is a shiftable automatic model..

- Hyatssville, MD, USA

I was driving on interstate 95 from Washington DC to richmond, va at about 65-75 mph. At around the kings dominion exit, I attempted to accelerate in order to get into a slower lane to let faster traffic pass. That's when I notice the RPM's went up to 8X1000 and the car was not accelerating. I was now coasting at around 60 mph and impeding traffic on a major highway. Being that this particular stretch of highway is about 6-7 lanes wide, it was very difficult and dangerous getting over to the right hand shoulder. I was able to continue to my destination without having the ability to accelerate at normal rate. I had to push the accelerator pedal slightly so that the transmission would not jump out of gear. I made it back home later that day having to drive in the same manner. I was barely able to drive the car up my slightly sloped driveway by trying several times because if I pressed the pedal too hard, the transmission would jump out of gear. After several months of research, I learned that this has been a very common problem in BMW's with the smg transmission. So I waited several months before driving it to the dealership. When I arrived at the dealership, they had to push my car into the service bay because it would no longer stay in gear. I was told that the smg module needed replacing. I called BMW to complain and asked if this was a recalled issue since it happened to many vehicles and because it put me in a potentially life threatening situation on the highway. I was then told was told that BMW will only recall and issue if the NHTSA requires them to do so. The repair bill was approximately $2,000 and BMW offered to pay for 50% of the equipment costs. So I had to pay $1,395 but my car still would not go into gear. This item should be recalled as it put me in a life threatening situation.

- Waldorf, MD, USA