BMW Cruise Control Defect Prompts New Recall

BMW is recalling thousands of sport utility vehicles over a serious issue that increases the risk of accidents.

More than 11,000 iX SUVs from model years 2022 to 2024 are being called back, BMW recently told federal regulators. The cars’ cruise control systems could be accidentally activated by drivers while behind the wheel, the automaker said.

“When maneuvering the vehicle at low speeds and turning the steering wheel, then potentially related to the layout of the activation button, the driver’s hand could inadvertently contact the button which could accidentally reactivate the cruise control system,” BMW said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Drivers can quickly disable cruise control in these situations by tapping the brake pedal or hitting the cruise control “on/off” button. Failing to do so could have serious consequences, however. 

“In rare cases, if the driver did not deactivate the system, then depending upon traffic and road conditions, this could increase the risk of a crash,” BMW said in the defect notice.

The company plans to notify owners of recalled SUVs by the end of July, it told NHTSA. BMW will advise owners to bring their vehicles to an authorized BMW dealer to have the problem fixed, free of charge. Owners who have already had cars repaired may be covered by a warranty, the company added.

Other BMW Recalls

This is far from the first time that BMW has had to call back luxury cars over serious safety defects.

“Separately, more than 14,000 BMW EVs, including about 5000 iX SUVs, were recalled earlier this year over a problem with short-circuiting in the high-voltage battery, as well as a few dozen 2022 iX EVs for a problem with battery manufacturing that could allow debris to enter the battery,” Alessandra Kaestner writes for Car and Driver. “In both cases, BMW issued Stop Drive orders until the problems could be fixed under recall.”

How the California Lemon Law Works

BMW and other car owners in California do not need to wait around for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed. The state’s lemon law provides some valuable rights and protections.

The lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform various repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. It also forces them to buy back covered vehicles that they are not able or refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, as well as financing fees, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.