NHTSA Complaint #10134372 — 2001 BMW 325IX

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN: I OWN A BMW 325XI 2001 MANUAL. A MANUAL SHIFTER IS DESIGNED TO GO TO THE MIDDLE WHEN IT IS IN NEUTRAL. THIS PROBLEM I HAVE CAUSES THE STICK SHIFT TO GO TO THE RIGHT (NEAR FIFTH GEAR) AND STAY THERE. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND SHIFTED INTO THE WRONG GEAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ALMOST BLEW THE ENGINE AND LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. IF THE STICK SHIFT DOES NOT RETURN TO WHERE IT IS DESIGNED TO BE, THE DRIVE CAN GET CONFUSED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ONLINE AND I HAVE FOUND OVER 4000 COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS. I CHECKED FORUMS AND OTHER WEBSITES. THE DEALER INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE CORRECT PART (BUSHINGS) WANTS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION!!! WE ALL FEEL THAT NHTSA SHOULD STEP IN AND FORCE A RECALL. THE COMPANY IS NOT HELPING AT ALL! THEY WANT TO KEEP THIS IN THE DARK. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. *JB