2013 BMW 328i will not shift into reverse or drive

Hi Allison, this is a tough one. I have seen it before on the 5 series automatic. It had a dial style shift switch. When you move the shifter weather it be dial or shifter, can you feel the car move or make any kind of mechanical noise? If not, the selector itself is usually the culprit an can be an intermittent issue. Hope this helps.

Nope, the car doesn't move or make any kind of noise and no check engine lights or weird ! messages come up on the dash. I'm stumped.

What kind of shifter does the vehicle have? Have you taken it to BMW to address or to independent repair?

Here is the shifter. It is always taken to BMW, but since they can't duplicate the issue, they don't know what to fix. Once the car is warm and I finally get it to stick in gear, it stays, but it takes a few tries for it to happen, and I feel like it's not very convenient, nor should it be that way. Or at least it's never done this previously.

This is a position issue with the shifter itself. The sensor isn't reading that you have selected a gear. They can be intermittent. Your best bet would be to leave it with BMW for a day or so. That way they can try to recreate what you are concerned about in all conditions. Not convenient at all.

Honestly, that's a better case scenario than I was thinking. Of course my brain goes immediately to transmission issues, which are $$$. Thank you so much! I'll post back here if they ever fix it, I hope this is all it is. You've been so much help!

My car is doing the same thing. Did you ever figure yours out? Can u email me Ronald.frye39@gmail.com

İ have the same issue.it happining not in sommer.if the weather is cold it goes back to park and not solved yet.. need also help

And i read lot of posts and it says may selonoid or tork konvertor is the problem.but ita not logical because its does only in cold weather.

I have the same issue, I have 2013 328i, just happed to me yesterday ;(

and dont know what do to>>>>>>

I have upgraded transmission software,nothing changed. :(

the shifter is bad, it needs to be replaced!! just like any other electronic parts, they go out. the switch inside the shifter had failed so the only thing to do is to replace it and that will solve your issue

hi Young404, but why the shifter is working after i step on the gas about 3000 rpm?

my 2013 328i did the same thing this am in the cold - first time ever. Has anyone replaced the switch inside the shifter and solved this problem? I think mine has a new shifter switch already!?

My 2012 BMW 320i has the same issue. if you have figured it out, could you email me @ xushuoandy@hotmail.com

I just figured out.The previous car service informed me that there is no problem about the gear oil amount,after checking. second service said there is 1,5 lt oil deficient.We put the amount and since 2 month i have no problem at all.

I too have experienced the very same problem with my 2013 bmw x28i and it only seems to happen when the weather temp is 50* or below. After letting car warm up i rev it for few seconds and after doing so is the only way car will move

I have the same problem. The transmission fluid has been changed now twice. Once (by an indy shop) and then by the dealer in an attempt to fix the problem. Nothing. Then the battery was changed. Still happening. Only on cold days but it does eventually go when I rev to about 1200rpm for 20 secs

I have the same issue. Car Starts fine! Will not shift out of park. NO SHIFTING. Car has 27K miles. NEVER SEEN WINTER. Original battery (I replaced the battery -->. NO CHANGE. Still stuck in park in my garage. Any ideas please email me at John.Dwyer4@icloud.com

Solved, as I have seen in other blogs the vehicle was 2 quart short on transmission fluid. The tech who did the original replacement did not get the transmission fluid hot enough to open up the relay. On cold mornings it will not shift into gear because there's not enough fluid. This would even happen on mornings where it was 40 45 degrees. I would try that first. Found a great tech who was able to identify the problem in under an hour

I would probably try doing this BMW ECU Transmission Reset procedure first https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Qi5yPf_mA

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=1204163&d=1430827096

Replace the alternator. If the battery is 3 years or older, replace it too. The transmission's electronic components are not getting enough juice.

This is either a bad shifter/ shift position sensor, low on fluid. Also keep in mind that electronics hate cold weather ie: 50 degrees or less thats why teslas have a hard time charging and working in places like russia. Start with the cheapest and easiest to do like test battery and alternator at auto parts store if you can get it to stay in gear otherwise check and fill trans fluid.Then still not working, disconnect battery for at least 1 hour then reconnect. next reset TCM. if still not working odds are its the shift solenoid/shift position sensor if you have over 75k miles.And if still not working drive to your local BMW dealership and proceed to drive the vehicle thru the manager of sales desk and office and never buy another BMW (should of never bought the one you have, between deprecation and mechanical failure, its the worst thing made in Europe)