What does drivetrain malfunction mean on a BMW?

It is a warning message that a fault has been found, not the name of the fault. The cause has to be found by reading the fault memory and testing.

Why is my BMW shaking with a drivetrain malfunction warning?

Shaking and power loss when accelerating are what owners report with the message. We test to find the cause rather than guess at it, because more than one fault can produce the same symptoms.

Will my BMW pass the MOT with the warning on?

It may not. An engine warning lamp that shows a fault can be a Major defect at the MOT, so have the fault found and fixed before the test.

Can you just clear the message?

Clearing the message does not fix the fault. We find and repair the cause, then check that the warning stays off.

Will I know the cost before you start?

Yes. After testing you get a written price and a promised time for your next update, and no part is fitted until you give your written approval.

BMW drivetrain malfunction

Drivetrain malfunction: misfires, shaking and power loss

The drivetrain malfunction message on a BMW is a warning, not a diagnosis: it can come with shaking or a loss of power when accelerating, and it has more than one possible cause. We read the fault memory and test to prove the cause, including checks for misfires, ignition coils, injectors and boost leaks, then replace only the proven faulty part with your written approval.

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Last updated 12 November 2026

Which cars and engines are affected?

Any BMW can show the drivetrain malfunction message, petrol or diesel. The message is the same whatever the fault behind it, so the model and engine help us narrow down where to start testing.

If you are not sure which engine your car has, put the registration in the enquiry form and we will check. For other work on these cars, see our BMW and MINI specialist page.

What are the symptoms?

What owners report with the message:

the drivetrain malfunction message on the dashboard
the car shaking
loss of power, especially when accelerating

When you book, tell us when the message appears, whether it stays on or comes and goes, and how the car drives with it.

What causes it?

The message tells you a fault has been found. It does not tell you which part has failed, and several different faults can bring it up.

That is why we do not quote for parts from the message alone. The cause is found by testing, as set out below.

How do you confirm the fault before fitting parts?

A fault code is not a repair, and a drivetrain malfunction message is not even a fault code. Before we quote for any parts, we:

read the fault memory with our diagnostic equipment
check for misfires
test the ignition coils and the injectors
check for boost leaks on turbocharged engines

If the tests point to the turbo, see our BMW turbo page. We then show you what we found and send a written price. No part is fitted until you give your written approval.

What does the repair involve?

We replace the part the tests prove faulty, using the correct part for your engine. If the tests point to more than one fault, we explain each one and you decide what goes ahead.

Once the work is done, we clear the fault memory, check that the message stays off and verify the repair, including a road test where appropriate.

An engine warning lamp that shows a fault can be a Major defect at the MOT, so it is worth having the fault found before your test is due.

How long does a drivetrain malfunction repair take?

It depends on what the tests find. Some faults show straight away, and others only come back on a road test.

Before any work starts, you get a written price and a promised time for your next update. If the car needs to stay with us, ask about a courtesy car when you book.

Is there a recall?

There is no single recall for the drivetrain malfunction message, because it has many causes. The DVSA listing for 2018 3 Series cars includes two crankshaft sensor recalls, R/2018/211 and R/2018/260.

Whether a recall applies depends on the individual car, so check your registration on gov.uk. Recall work is done by BMW’s network, not by us.

Reverie Autocare is an independent specialist and is not affiliated with or endorsed by BMW.

Our promise on every job

Written approval before any extra work
Photographic proof of what we find
A promised update time
No surprise invoice
A test drive and verification where appropriate

Our service centre

Where will my car be looked after?

At our centre at 57 Great North Road, Welwyn Garden City, built so that waiting for your car is not wasted time.

Seven ramps and an on-site MOT bay
Three customer waiting areas
A co-working space with Wi-Fi
A multi-faith prayer room and quiet room
Lavazza coffee
Customer parking

Questions people ask us

What does drivetrain malfunction mean on a BMW?: It is a warning message that a fault has been found, not the name of the fault. The cause has to be found by reading the fault memory and testing.
Why is my BMW shaking with a drivetrain malfunction warning?: Shaking and power loss when accelerating are what owners report with the message. We test to find the cause rather than guess at it, because more than one fault can produce the same symptoms.
Will my BMW pass the MOT with the warning on?: It may not. An engine warning lamp that shows a fault can be a Major defect at the MOT, so have the fault found and fixed before the test.
Can you just clear the message?: Clearing the message does not fix the fault. We find and repair the cause, then check that the warning stays off.
Will I know the cost before you start?: Yes. After testing you get a written price and a promised time for your next update, and no part is fitted until you give your written approval.