Automatic gearbox BMW: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the BMW models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPValve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxYes, and it can be serious: there are documented failures of the ZF 6HP valve body or mechatronic unit on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models from around 90,000-100,000 km, with cases that go as far as preventing a gear from engaging (including reverse) and dealer quotes of €6,000 to €10,000.Repair: €6,000–€10,000Appears at around 90,000 km
In Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60, X3 E83, X5 E53 and X5 E70
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPMechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse)Yes, although in a minority of cases: there are documented ZF 8HP mechatronic failures on BMW after 120,000-130,000 km, costing €1,400 to €3,500, and also control unit or electronic selector faults on Audi and Land Rover.Repair: €1,400–€3,500
In Serie 1 F20, Serie 3 F30, Serie 3 G20, Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 G30 and Serie 7 F01 and 5 more models
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 F20Leaks and electronic faults in the ZF8 Steptronic automatic gearboxSome F20 owners with the 8-speed ZF Steptronic automatic gearbox report a leak that forced replacement of the whole gearbox at around 40,000 km and an electronic fault at around 35,000 km; specialists also recommend a preventive oil change between 60,000 and 150,000 km even though the manufacturer speaks of lifetime lubrication.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 2 Active Tourer F45Jerking and overheating in the Steptronic automatic gearbox, and worn synchromesh in the manualfiches-auto.fr gathers testimonies of the 8-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox jerking and overheating (hydraulic unit, solenoid valves or shift sensors), and of the manual gearbox struggling to engage second gear because of worn synchromesh.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 5 E60Wear of the ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox and of the clutch and dual-mass flywheel assemblyThe 5 Series E60's ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox needs an oil change sooner than BMW suggests despite being advertised as "lifetime", and the clutch and dual-mass flywheel assembly on manual versions tends to wear out from around 160,000-200,000 km, according to fiches-auto.fr and gebrauchtwagenberater.de.Appears at around 160,000 km
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 8HPJerking and hesitation when changing gear, sometimes needing reprogrammingYes: on BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo there are accounts of jerking, hesitation or harsh shifts with the ZF 8HP. It is usually due to ageing oil or the calibration of the mechatronics, and the dealer often fixes it -not always first time- by reprogramming the gearbox control unit.
In Serie 1 F20, Serie 3 F30, Serie 3 G20, Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 G30 and Serie 7 F01 and 5 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonZF 6HPJerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oilYes: on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models with the ZF 6HP there are reports of jerking, hesitation and harsh shifts from 80,000-150,000 km, especially if the gearbox oil has never been changed. The converter locks up in all six gears to save fuel, which speeds up its wear over the years.Repair (garage): €150–€400Appears at around 80,000 km
In Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60, X3 E83, X5 E53 and X5 E70
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 8HPOil leaks from the gearbox gaskets or sumpYes: on the BMW 1 Series and the Jaguar F-Pace there are accounts of oil leaks from the ZF 8HP gearbox gaskets, in one case already at 40,000 km. If it is not repaired soon, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to the jerking or mechatronic failure of the related faults.Repair (garage): €1,000–€2,000
In Serie 1 F20, Serie 3 F30, Serie 3 G20, Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 G30 and Serie 7 F01 and 5 more models
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalZF 6HPOil leaks from the sump or the gearbox sealsYes, although in a minority of cases: there are reports of ZF 6HP gearbox oil leaks on the BMW X5 (at 180,000 km) and the Audi A6 (between 204,000 and 208,000 km). If not repaired, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to valve body or mechatronic failure.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 180,000 km
In Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60, X3 E83, X5 E53 and X5 E70
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X2 F39Automatic gearbox jerking and clutch pedal vibrationsAccording to the reports collected by fiches-auto.fr, 4 owners cite jerking or gear selection faults in the 8-speed automatic gearbox, or difficulty engaging gears when cold in the manual, and others cite clutch pedal vibrations from 6,000 km. No official recall is on record.
- Medium severityFrequency: RareBMW X3 G01Jerking and uneven shifts in the automatic gearbox and xDrive transfer casefiches-auto.fr collects reports of the X3 G01's xDrive transfer case causing jerking, vibrations or noises, and of the automatic gearbox going into limp mode or shifting unevenly because of hydraulic pressure faults.

By BMW model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the automatic gearbox do BMW cars have?

In 18 models from BMW there are 11 documented faults with the automatic gearbox. The most important: valve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearbox, mechatronic failure as the gearbox ages (sometimes with reverse) and leaks and electronic faults in the ZF8 Steptronic automatic gearbox. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which BMW models have the most problems with the automatic gearbox?

BMW Serie 5 E60 (4 faults), BMW Serie 1 F20 (4 faults), BMW X3 G01 (4 faults) and BMW X5 E53 (3 faults).

Which BMW engines have faults with the automatic gearbox?

ZF 6HP (3 faults) and ZF 8HP (3 faults).