NHTSA Complaint #10257975 — 2009 BMW M3

IN THE 2009 BMW M3 SEDAN WITH DCT (DUAL CLUTCH) TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG OR HESITATION OF AT LEAST 1 SECOND BETWEEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CLUTCH ENGAGING AND GIVING ACCELERATION TO THE WHEELS. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN FROM A STAND-STILL, BUT OCCURS PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT VIRTUALLY ALL RANGES OF SPEED, FROM ROLLING STOP (5KM/HR OR LESS) THROUGH STANDARD ROAD SPEEDS OF ANY DEGREE (RESIDENTIAL 30-40KM/HR, CITY ROADS 50-70KM/HR, OR HIGHWAY 90KM/HR+). I WAS CAREFULLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A SLOW LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION ON SATURDAY, FEB 7, 2009. TO AVOID AN ONCOMING CAR PREMATURELY HEADING IN MY DIRECTION, I PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO HASTEN THE COMPLETION OF MY TURN, BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND BECAUSE OF THE CLUTCH LAG. I NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING HIT. THIS TRANSMISSION DEFECT COULD REASONABLY RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE DRIVER OR PASSENGERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN SUDDEN AND UNANTICIPATED ACCELERATION OUT OF A DIFFICULT DRIVING SITUATION IS REQUIRED. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED HE ALSO EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED STALLS DURING LOW SPEED DRIVING, BUT NOT RAPID DECELERATION. UPDATED 03/11/09. *JB