The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. The contact stated that the vehicle surged forward and the rpms raced without warning. The contact experienced the failure while accelerating from a stop. The contact had to apply force to the brake pedal to ensure that the vehicle did not surge when at a stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than twice, but they were unable to provide a solution and stated that further diagnostic testing was needed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V124000 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was waiting for them to provide a solution to the dealer. The failure mileage was not available.

- East Hampton, NY, USA

My vehicle has the same incident about a dozen of times in the last 4-5 years. The vehicle suddenly had check engine light, ABS light, traction control light, and brake light on, engineer started to knocking, speed forced down to less than 30 mph within in seconds. It was quite scaring when the vehicle was on the highway with speed at ~50-70 mpg. My dealer has made several repairs, changing everything in this speed controlling system multiple times according to the book, including throttle body twice, electric harness three times, and control computer unit once, but the problem recurs. Occasionally, resetting the system and/or restarting the car, and sometimes reconnecting every parts of the system can avoid the problem for a while (from a days to 1-2 years). Although it is unpredictable in when, it would come back. The problem seems to come more often when the weather become more wet. This mimics the behavior of the poor electric connections controlling the tails and turning lights of the same model, which was recalled by BMW a couple of years ago. It seems that the same electric connectors are used in this speed controlling system. Obviously, this problem is more dangerous than the signaling light issue since it is more likely to lead to severe accidents/crashes in the highway; I might be dead or severely injured if I did not responded quickly enough when was in I-95 for example.

- Charlottesvillle, VA, USA

While driving my 2003 BMW 325ci the engine will shut off. This causes: 1. power steering stops functioining 2. I am unable to accelerate 3. braking takes excessively long with engine off 4. dashboard lights up.

- Topsfield, MA, USA

2003 BMW 325xi sudden acceleration. Car accelerates suddenly when brakes applied to park or approaching light or stop sign. No accidents, but it is so dangerous that it is an accident waiting to happen. Engine raves to 4000 - 6000rpm, very hard to hold the brakes. So far I have only gotten a moving violation ticket for not stopping at the stop sign, while returning from the third BMW service inspection and being told that the car is in perfect condition. BMW can not observe the problem and therefore does not want to fix it. I was told that they never heard of this kind of problem and perhaps I am hitting the wrong pedal. I have witnesses that were in a car with me that this is not the case. It also happened while my husband drove the car. By researching it on my own I found that there was a recall for 325I and 325ci series of the same year that is mine. Because my car is 325xi service would not even try to apply the recommended remedy. The service is trying, but I was told that it's against the BMW policy to proceed without experiencing the actual problem talked to BMW customer service four times, very polite, but no action so far.

- Airmont, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2003 BMW 325I. While the vehicle was decelerating to stop, it suddenly surged forward. The failure caused the contact to strike the front end of another vehicle in a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to a service shop and has not yet been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 32,000. Updated 07/07/08. Updated

- Bowie, MD, USA