2009 BMW 535I

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).

Risk: Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

POWER TRAIN

I believe using the manual shift mode for normal usage of optimal shifting in certain driving situations and gentle downshifting caused a malfunction in the functionality of the transmission that led to a complete transmission failure. I don’t believe it’s a mechanical issue or result of misuse. There were no warning signs. Only that every time the manual shift option was used, it would cause an error to occur that caused an automatic shifting issue that would reset if the vehicle was shut down and restarted.