"BMW X5 - Transmission Failure Program"

By Ron Stultz

15 March 2010

Summary: A "Transmission Failure Program" display can either be because you are actually experiencing a transmission failure OR it is possible that a nearly dead battery is the cause of the display.

Background:

BMW X5, 4.4l, model year 2000, 129,700 miles

Transmission Failure Program:

If you are driving the X5 and there is a sudden jolt, the transmission will not move out of 2nd gear and you see "Transmission Failure Program" come up in the dash display, you probably have experienced a real transmission failure and you have my condolences. At about 70,000 miles, my X5 transmission failed. When the dealer told me it would cost $7000, parts and labor, I was infuriated. 70,000 miles? At 64 years of age and having owned many cars over my life time and I have never, ever, experienced a transmission failure of any type and some of my cars have had > 150,000 miles on them when I sold them.  At 70,000 miles, have never towed any kind of trailer nor have I raced my X5. It took a while but finally BMW North America agreed to split the cost with me. Not great, but what choice did I have?

If you start the X5 and you suddenly see "Transmission Failure Program" in the dash display, it may be just that your battery is low. Because I have been battling a mysterious battery drain, there have been mornings when there was just enough battery to start the car but when I went to move it, I got the "Transmission Failure Program" message. When this has happened, I have shut down the engine and tried a restart only to find the battery is now totally dead. With a full charge, the X5 will start fine and no "Transmission Failure Program" message.