BMW 3 Hybrid ABS Warning: Traction Control Acting Up

Hi there! I have some experience working on cars and dealt with a very similar issue on my 2017 BMW 5 Series Hybrid (also owned a 7 Series before). I had those exact symptoms, ABS light, jerky acceleration, and traction control acting up. After visiting my regular workshop, they diagnosed a faulty ABS control unit. The repair set me back about 1000 Euro, but it completely resolved the problem. The control unit had to be replaced and reprogrammed. Could you share more details about your car like mileage and if you've noticed any other warning lights or unusual behavior? This would help determine if you're facing the same issue I had. These systems are pretty complex in hybrids, so it's best to get it checked by a BMW specialist rather than attempting any DIY fixes. Hope this helps! Let me know if you need more specific info about my repair experience.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My car has 55433 KM on the clock and just had its service last month. I haven't noticed any other warning lights, just the ABS one popping up recently. The jerky acceleration happens mostly when starting from a complete stop. I'll definitely take your advice about seeing a specialist, these hybrid systems can be tricky. Did you notice if the problem got worse over time before you had it fixed? Just trying to gauge if I should get it looked at immediately or if I can wait a bit.

Hey again! Yes, in my case, the symptoms definitely got worse over time. I initially noticed the same thing you're describing, mainly jerky acceleration from a stop. But within a few weeks, the traction control started acting up even during normal driving, especially during slight acceleration or when going around corners. With your mileage being similar to what mine was when the issue started (I was around 58000 KM), and given it's showing the same symptoms, it really does sound like the same ABS control unit problem I faced. I tried waiting it out for about two weeks, but honestly, it just made driving increasingly frustrating and unpredictable. I'd recommend getting it checked soon rather than later. In my case, waiting didn't help at all, and I was just putting unnecessary stress on other components. Plus, driving with compromised ABS and traction control isn't exactly the safest thing. By the way, after I got mine fixed, the mechanic mentioned these issues are somewhat common in our hybrid models around this mileage. The integration between the regenerative braking system and the ABS can sometimes cause the control unit to fail earlier than in non-hybrid models. Let me know what you find out when you get it checked. I'm curious if it turns out to be the same issue!

Thanks so much for the detailed follow-up! You've convinced me to get it checked out right away, definitely don't want to risk making things worse or compromising safety. The connection you mentioned between the regenerative braking and ABS makes a lot of sense, and it's good to know this is somewhat common in our hybrid models. I've already called a BMW specialist and booked it in for tomorrow morning. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's helped me understand what I might be dealing with and given me a realistic expectation of the repair costs. I'll probably need to budget around 1000 Euro based on what you paid. I'll update you once I get the diagnosis. Thanks again for all your help!