2015 BMW X3 Speed Control & Cruise Problems

Driver drove approx. 3.5 to passenger’s home. While sitting & talking to the passenger for several minutes, the car suddenly, rapidly lurched forward, crashing into neighbor’s property. Substantial damage was done to the neighbor’s deck and brick wall at rear of the house. At least one piece of heavy lumber speared through the windshield between the driver and passenger. Vehicle is auto-shut off capable, however, the driver doesn’t recall if they shut the engine off manually, but believes it may have auto-shut off, while stopped before parking the vehicle. Driver recalls pressing the “P” button to put the vehicle in park. Driver said they were just sitting and talking to the Passenger (ie Driver was in a relaxed seating position, hands were not on the steering wheel, and feet not on the pedals). Driver said they attempted to hit the brakes after the vehicle lurched forward, but feels that they may have partially froze due to the shock of the unexpected acceleration. The passenger who also witnessed the event says the car seemed to go slowly for a split second then suddenly took off at extremely high acceleration. Passenger said prior to the car moving, the driver was pressing or had pressed the park button on the gear shift, when the car started to move, slowly at first (for a split second) and then suddenly the car took off at rapid acceleration. Driver said they recalled checking to see if the car was in park, which they noted is indicated by a red light (which they recall seeing). Passenger doesn’t recall seeing light on, but recalls Driver pressing the P button at least twice. Vehicle owned since 2017, purchased with 24k miles, 1 prior owner (previously leased). Vehicle had about 50k miles at time of incident. Vehicle was always serviced at BMW of Fairfax. No prior issues with the vehicle. The car was equipped with BMW OEM rubber floor mats. No Airbag deployment. The event occurred on or about May 25th, 2021 at 9 pm. Vehicle deemed total loss.

PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PARK, THE CAR KEPT LUNGING FORWARD WITH A REVING SOUND, NOT CONSTANT BUT PULSE SATING UNTIL THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE WALL. THE AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF. I WENT ONLINE LATER TO FIND THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I CONTACTED BMW AND A REP. STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN" MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, BUT IT HAS NEVER BEEN BMW FAULT." SHE SENT A BMW ENGINEER OUT TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE HE FINALLY INSPECTED IT 3 WEEKS LATER. THREE WEEKS LATER I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HIM ABOUT THE RESULTS. THERE IS OVER $9,000.00 IN DAMAGES.

THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 4 INCIDENCES. 2/21/15 TOOK BMW X3 XDRIVE28I TO DEALER WITH 112 MILES ON CAR, AFTER CAR ENGINE REVVED HIGHER AS I WAS COMING DOWN A HILL TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STAND ON THE BRAKE FOR CAR TO STOP. ACCELERATION LASTED ABOUT 4 SECONDS AFTER STOPPING. HAD TO KEEP MY FOOT ON BRAKE DURING THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME ON THE WAY TO DEALER; GOING UP A SLIGHT HILL, WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. PRIOR TO THE ABOVE DATE, ON 2/16/15, CAR ALSO ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD TO STEP ON BREAK TO SLOW DOWN. LATER THAT DAY THE CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WHILE ROLLING IN A PARKING LOT. I HAD TO BREAK HARD TO STOP IT. ON 2/21/15 THE DEALER REQUESTED BMW NA TO SEND THEIR ENGINEERS TO CHECK OUT THE CAR. 2/24/15 BMW NA ADVISED ME THAT "THE CAR ONLY DOES WHAT YOU TELL IT TO DO WITH ONE OF THE CONTROLS.THE ENGINEERS WILL BE GOING TO THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IF ANYTHING IS WRONG WITH" MY 2015 X3 XDRIVE. I ADVISED THEM "THEY WERE LOOKING FOR THE WRONG THING SINCE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH A CAR THAT ACCELERATES WHEN YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE BREAK." THEY "SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY X3." 3/4/15 BMW NA ADVISED THAT ENGINEERS HAD LOOKED AT THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WILL TAKE 7 TO 10 BUSINESS DAYS FOR THEIR DECISION. 3/10/15 BMW NA ADVISE ME THAT THE ENGINEERS CHECKED OUT MY X3 AND THE CAR IS "PERFORMING AS DESIGNED". I ASKED "IS THE X3 DESIGNED TO ACCELERATE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO STOP THE CAR?" THE DEALER ALSO SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. WHEN I TOLD DEALER "IF IT STARTS ACTING UP AGAIN I WILL BRING IT RIGHT BACK" DEALER SAID "THAT'S UP TO BMW". SINCE MY BMW X3 SOMETIMES ACCELERATES WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO STOP AND WHILE AT ROAD SPEED, SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. EVERYTHING HAS TO GO THROUGH THE COMPUTER. MIGHT IT BE THE COMPUTER PROGRAM DESIGN? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 BMW X3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,500.