50 of the
186 complaints filed about the BMW IX
are about the driver-assist systems —
27% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2024.
50
Complaints
27%
Share of all complaints
32
Crashes
1
Fires
Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
Recently purchased used iX and successfully used the Parking Assistant Professional about a dozen times to back into my home garage using 5-point maneuver (driveway layout visible from aerial photo from address provided with report; drove in straight passed spot on garage’s left side looking in, other SUV parked in right spot, back into perpendicular spot in garage). After recording a new 3-point path, I tried it for the first time. During that attempt, the SUV suddenly reversed too fast to stop before crashing into another car in the garage. The vehicle initially followed the recorded path, then paused during first reverse because of an apparent obstruction (car approaching leaves on bush along driveway). After manually moving the SUV backwards a few feet along path to clear obstruction, I attempted to resume the maneuver. The screen showed the words “Resume path” (think there were up to 4 words, but this was only option on right side of parking interface), although flickering to say “Show path.” The vehicle then began to reverse. It was only ~6 feet, so wasn’t worried about acceleration for about half a second or so. Car continued to accelerate in reverse so fast that when I realized it wasn’t going to stop for the other car I had only got my foot on the brake when it hit the other car. Photos: IMG_3223 is iX showing bumper damage. IMG_3220 & -21 are other car, with bumper scratches and broken taillight. The event happened too quickly to allow braking, and the obstruction sensors didn’t even beep, let alone stop the routine. Damage to both cars appears to be relatively minor, but if a person had been standing near the other vehicle, they would have been seriously injured or killed. This behavior appears similar to NHTSA Complaint Nos. 11589034, 11569633, and 11546743. I bought this car in part because of the automated parking features that I am now too terrified to use.
NHTSA complaint #11736832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BMW iX driver-assistance safety malfunction. In approx. April 2025 vehicle displayed “driver assistance permanently disabled.” Dealer contacted BMW and cleared codes; foreman reported ongoing code/concern. After return, ACC/lane keep/forward collision behavior became unreliable without dashboard error: lane centering intermittently fails; lane visualization inaccurate; following distance control intermittently fails; FCW/AEB/“too close” alerts/intervention do not occur even when enabled and set to early/far. On May 31, 2025 near Philadelphia, PA, traffic conditions changed/suddenly slowed and vehicle provided no warning/intervention, requiring emergency braking and resulting in front grille damage. Vehicle has returned to dealer multiple times for programming/calibration issues; problem persists; dealer wants paid diagnosis again. New clicking/clunking from steering column/steering rack area during turning, or driving at any speed.
NHTSA complaint #11721488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BMW iX driver-assistance safety malfunction. In approx. April 2025 vehicle displayed “driver assistance permanently disabled.” Dealer contacted BMW and cleared codes; foreman reported ongoing code/concern. After return, ACC/lane keep/forward collision behavior became unreliable without dashboard error: lane centering intermittently fails; lane visualization inaccurate; following distance control intermittently fails; FCW/AEB/“too close” alerts/intervention do not occur even when enabled and set to early/far. On May 31, 2025 near Philadelphia, PA, traffic conditions changed/suddenly slowed and vehicle provided no warning/intervention, requiring emergency braking and resulting in front grille damage. Vehicle has returned to dealer multiple times for programming/calibration issues; problem persists; dealer wants paid diagnosis again. New clicking/clunking from steering column/steering rack area during turning, or driving at any speed.
NHTSA complaint #11721488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car in front of me did not put brakes on or slow down and hit a car that was slowed to a stop in front of her. I was behind her and hit by brakes and tried to avoid the collision. My brake assist did not work; my car did not alert me and did not try to help me stop. I was told when i bought the car that it did indeed have these safety features which failed me. I was not sited in the accident even though i did end up hitting the car in front of me which was now attached to two cars in front of her. She was at fault and the car she hit had video footage to prove her fault.
NHTSA complaint #11719905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The car in front of me did not put brakes on or slow down and hit a car that was slowed to a stop in front of her. I was behind her and hit by brakes and tried to avoid the collision. My brake assist did not work; my car did not alert me and did not try to help me stop. I was told when i bought the car that it did indeed have these safety features which failed me. I was not sited in the accident even though i did end up hitting the car in front of me which was now attached to two cars in front of her. She was at fault and the car she hit had video footage to prove her fault.
NHTSA complaint #11719905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Driver was in parking space/nearly fully parked (her foot was on the brake coming to a full stop and about to place the car in park), when the car’s self drive function or cruise control engaged on its own. It then rolled up the hill, and into the trees. Thankfully no one was hurt (3 people in the car - 2 adults and 1 child) and the car stopped while leaning on a tree, otherwise it would have rolled over. She never uses cruise control, nor any of the self drive functions on the car at all. In her words, the car was “unstoppable”. The speed of the car at that time was a near crawl into the space, ready for a full stop. When the self drive/cruise control engaged, the car jumped over the curve in front of the parking space on its own. No button was pressed by the driver, nor should any self drive feature of the car engage while the car was nearly parked. Additionally, while manually parking, the 360 degree parking camera was on, yet the car still engaged in self drive. Luckily, no other person nor vehicle was in front of the car when this happened. There was a post collision warning light (note, the airbags did not deploy), but we have asked the certified collision center to review the alerts to confirm what may have triggered. The BMW app never showed that the car was in a collision, and to-date still does not. The car is now with the collision center for an estimate (via insurance company), and the process has already started with BMW Consumer Affairs regarding safety issues with this automobile. We have also formally requested that BMW downloads all information regarding the collision from the Event Data Recorder (EDR). The police was not involved in the incident, since no one was injured. NHTSA indicates there have been similar incidents/recalls reported for the BMW IX from 2022 -2024 models, but no recall for the 2025 model - although the incidents are also reported for this model. We are concerned over the the safety of this car moving forward.
NHTSA complaint #11716615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driver was in parking space/nearly fully parked (her foot was on the brake coming to a full stop and about to place the car in park), when the car’s self drive function or cruise control engaged on its own. It then rolled up the hill, and into the trees. Thankfully no one was hurt (3 people in the car - 2 adults and 1 child) and the car stopped while leaning on a tree, otherwise it would have rolled over. She never uses cruise control, nor any of the self drive functions on the car at all. In her words, the car was “unstoppable”. The speed of the car at that time was a near crawl into the space, ready for a full stop. When the self drive/cruise control engaged, the car jumped over the curve in front of the parking space on its own. No button was pressed by the driver, nor should any self drive feature of the car engage while the car was nearly parked. Additionally, while manually parking, the 360 degree parking camera was on, yet the car still engaged in self drive. Luckily, no other person nor vehicle was in front of the car when this happened. There was a post collision warning light (note, the airbags did not deploy), but we have asked the certified collision center to review the alerts to confirm what may have triggered. The BMW app never showed that the car was in a collision, and to-date still does not. The car is now with the collision center for an estimate (via insurance company), and the process has already started with BMW Consumer Affairs regarding safety issues with this automobile. We have also formally requested that BMW downloads all information regarding the collision from the Event Data Recorder (EDR). The police was not involved in the incident, since no one was injured. NHTSA indicates there have been similar incidents/recalls reported for the BMW IX from 2022 -2024 models, but no recall for the 2025 model - although the incidents are also reported for this model. We are concerned over the the safety of this car moving forward.
NHTSA complaint #11716615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2025 BMW iX xDrive50 has experienced three separate random shutdown events while driving in active traffic. These shutdowns occurred without warning and caused sudden loss of vehicle functionality. One of these shutdowns resulted in a rear-end collision. The vehicle has been brought to BMW of Carlsbad three separate times. Each time, the dealership stated no defect could be found and blamed the driver for “user settings.” A BMW of Carlsbad service advisor later sent written messages stating that BMW software can crash and shut off the vehicle and that normal phone contact data (such as emojis in phone contacts) can cause the system to crash and shut the vehicle off. Customers were instructed to change normal phone usage and re-pair phones to avoid shutdowns. Despite software updates, the vehicle continues to generate shutdown warnings. A vehicle that can randomly shut down while driving constitutes a serious safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11708608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2025 BMW iX xDrive50 has experienced three separate random shutdown events while driving in active traffic. These shutdowns occurred without warning and caused sudden loss of vehicle functionality. One of these shutdowns resulted in a rear-end collision. The vehicle has been brought to BMW of Carlsbad three separate times. Each time, the dealership stated no defect could be found and blamed the driver for “user settings.” A BMW of Carlsbad service advisor later sent written messages stating that BMW software can crash and shut off the vehicle and that normal phone contact data (such as emojis in phone contacts) can cause the system to crash and shut the vehicle off. Customers were instructed to change normal phone usage and re-pair phones to avoid shutdowns. Despite software updates, the vehicle continues to generate shutdown warnings. A vehicle that can randomly shut down while driving constitutes a serious safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11708608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2025 BMW iX xDrive50 has experienced three separate random shutdown events while driving in active traffic. These shutdowns occurred without warning and caused sudden loss of vehicle functionality. One of these shutdowns resulted in a rear-end collision. The vehicle has been brought to BMW of Carlsbad three separate times. Each time, the dealership stated no defect could be found and blamed the driver for “user settings.” A BMW of Carlsbad service advisor later sent written messages stating that BMW software can crash and shut off the vehicle and that normal phone contact data (such as emojis in phone contacts) can cause the system to crash and shut the vehicle off. Customers were instructed to change normal phone usage and re-pair phones to avoid shutdowns. Despite software updates, the vehicle continues to generate shutdown warnings. A vehicle that can randomly shut down while driving constitutes a serious safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11708608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting an incident involving unintended vehicle movement/acceleration in my 2023 BMW iX xDrive50. BMW of North America inspected the vehicle and claims no defect was found; however, they refuse to provide the Event Data Recorder (EDR) data or diagnostic logs used to reach that conclusion. The incident occurred around September 1, 2025. The vehicle exhibited behavior inconsistent with normal operation. BMW’s response relies on undisclosed internal data and post-incident testing that does not recreate the event conditions. I am requesting NHTSA review this matter, including BMW’s refusal to disclose vehicle data relevant to potential safety defects involving throttle, braking, Auto-Hold, or software-controlled torque systems.
NHTSA complaint #11706089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I am reporting an incident involving unintended vehicle movement/acceleration in my 2023 BMW iX xDrive50. BMW of North America inspected the vehicle and claims no defect was found; however, they refuse to provide the Event Data Recorder (EDR) data or diagnostic logs used to reach that conclusion. The incident occurred around September 1, 2025. The vehicle exhibited behavior inconsistent with normal operation. BMW’s response relies on undisclosed internal data and post-incident testing that does not recreate the event conditions. I am requesting NHTSA review this matter, including BMW’s refusal to disclose vehicle data relevant to potential safety defects involving throttle, braking, Auto-Hold, or software-controlled torque systems.
NHTSA complaint #11706089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On October 17, 2025 at approximately 3:15 PM in the parking lot of a shopping mall at 2040 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA, our 2025 BMW iX M60 suddenly accelerated forward unintentionally while the driver was attempting to park. The vehicle made a loud “whirring” sound as if the motor engaged on its own, and it lurched forward rapidly without any acceleration input from the driver. The car traveled only about 2 feet before crashing into a wall in front of the parking space. All front and side airbags deployed. The driver (my father) suffered a chest fracture and hand laceration, and the passenger (my minor son) sustained severe bruises to the chest and shoulder from seat belt impact. The Driver (my father) was hospitalized for four days. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and is currently under insurance inspection for total loss. This appears to be a case of Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) possibly related to the vehicle’s electronic drive control system. We request that NHTSA and BMW investigate this incident to determine if there is a safety defect in the 2025 BMW iX EV platform.
NHTSA complaint #11695421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2023 BMWiX with sudden acceleration issue upon parking. Vehicle has been subject to recall for unintended activation of cruise control upon parking and a software update was supposedly issued by BMW and yet this occurred to me today causing front end collision and lots of damage to my car. Not hurt nor were others but certainly could have been.
NHTSA complaint #11689535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
At low speeds, the cruise control engages, causing the vehicle to accelerate. Stepping on the brake disengages the cruise control as it normally would. I have had this leased vehicle since March 2015. I have reported the issue 4 times to the dealer. Each time they interrogate the computer and tell me there are no errors. I have researched the internet, and there are numerous complaints about this potentially life-threatening issue. "Point of interest." This is the same dealer who insisted my BMW 7 Series had nothing wrong when it was burning a quart of oil every ten days. Eventually, the engine was no longer manufactured. I'm taking the car back next week; they are taking the issue to BMW.
NHTSA complaint #11687045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yesterday on 7/13, my family and I were fully stopped and parked in a parking spot (car was in park, to the best of my knowledge). The front passenger had just exited the vehicle and was opening the back door where my kids were just beginning to get out of their seats. At that moment, something occurred that caused the car to speed over the parking curb, across a pedestrian sidewalk and struck a brick and glass building storefront. What's odd is, assuming the car was in park, which i believe it was, the car accelerated to max speed and the airbags did not deploy and the hazard lights never turned on after the accident. In addition, the car has safety features designed to detect objects and avoid collisions and should switch the car to park when the car is stopped and doors are opened. I am happy and motivated to make the car available for inspection immediately. I really want to understand what happened and why for my own benefit (and peace of mind) but mostly because I don't want this to happen to any one else in the car or pedestrians in the area. Had my car been parked just a little further down the block, families were eating lunch at an outdoor restaurant which could have ended in serious injury or worse. My car is currently in the tow yard that the police department picked. My insurance is asking me where to tow and I want to make sure it ends up somewhere that can fully diagnose what happened based on the car's internal computer (if possible). The car has been seen by my local police department and fire department that came on site. But, no formal inspection has occurred yet. But will likely be done this week. No warning messages were shown on the car prior to the accident and potential malfunction.
NHTSA complaint #11673410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2024 BMW iX xDrive50 intermittently fails to deploy the rearview windows upon startup. Restarting does not help; they open only after driving above ~25 mph. This typically occurred once or twice a month based on my recollection. I purchased the vehicle in late May 2024, so I had it for only five months before the accident. More concerningly, the vehicle sometimes shifts from Drive (D) to Brake (B) mode without input. I noticed this behavior several times before a crash on 10/27/24, and again after the crash. On 10/27/24, while in B mode, I slowed at an intersection with ~30 feet of space ahead. I was practically at a stop and began to inch forward when the car suddenly accelerated and I lost control, rear-ending the car in front. No automatic braking or warning systems activated. BMW North America inspected the vehicle on 12/20/24 and later concluded that no defect was present after a 6-mile test drive. After their review, my dealership also conducted its own inspection but was unable to replicate the issues I reported. However, neither review addressed—or could replicate—the intermittent switching between D and B modes, which remains unresolved and unpredictable. BMW also could not explain or resolve the issue of the rearview windows failing to deploy. I am concerned that both issues may reflect a broader software or user interface flaw. I am also concerned that BMW’s investigation focused primarily on establishing that I pressed the accelerator pedal before the crash, as a way to default blame for the accident to me, rather than investigating whether a fault in the vehicle’s electronic input or feedback systems could have contributed to the incident. Given the safety implications and the limited scope of BMW's investigation, I request a deeper independent review.
NHTSA complaint #11661270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2024 BMW iX xDrive50 intermittently fails to deploy the rearview windows upon startup. Restarting does not help; they open only after driving above ~25 mph. This typically occurred once or twice a month based on my recollection. I purchased the vehicle in late May 2024, so I had it for only five months before the accident. More concerningly, the vehicle sometimes shifts from Drive (D) to Brake (B) mode without input. I noticed this behavior several times before a crash on 10/27/24, and again after the crash. On 10/27/24, while in B mode, I slowed at an intersection with ~30 feet of space ahead. I was practically at a stop and began to inch forward when the car suddenly accelerated and I lost control, rear-ending the car in front. No automatic braking or warning systems activated. BMW North America inspected the vehicle on 12/20/24 and later concluded that no defect was present after a 6-mile test drive. After their review, my dealership also conducted its own inspection but was unable to replicate the issues I reported. However, neither review addressed—or could replicate—the intermittent switching between D and B modes, which remains unresolved and unpredictable. BMW also could not explain or resolve the issue of the rearview windows failing to deploy. I am concerned that both issues may reflect a broader software or user interface flaw. I am also concerned that BMW’s investigation focused primarily on establishing that I pressed the accelerator pedal before the crash, as a way to default blame for the accident to me, rather than investigating whether a fault in the vehicle’s electronic input or feedback systems could have contributed to the incident. Given the safety implications and the limited scope of BMW's investigation, I request a deeper independent review.
NHTSA complaint #11661270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was driving on Single Pedal Drive on a freeway with the 2024 BMW IX, there was a slow down ahead of me. I removed my foot from the pedal and waited for car to slow down, but car didn't slow down enough. Then I slammed the brakes hard, but the brake didn't engage. In fact, brakes were pushed back against my foot. I was slamming the brakes as hard as I could, but i couldn't feel the brakes letting me me bottom out . This was a very traumatic experience. I have been able to reproduce it once again, but not always. But BMW dealership doesn't want to accept any problem. Thankfully, I had slowed down, otherwise, this is a very dangerous problem. Please investigate this. This has caused a big cost burden for me and also quite a traumatic experience.
NHTSA complaint #11652449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX], while driving, the brakes on my vehicle unexpectedly seized, causing all four wheels to catch fire. This incident resulted in significant damage, including the burning of the brake lines. The vehicle was promptly towed to Wide World BMW in Spring Valley, NY, for repairs, as it is covered under the bumper-to-bumper warranty. Following the incident, I was informed that a team from BMW North America would inspect the vehicle due to the severity of the malfunction. I have since been advised that BMW North America is denying liability, claiming that third-party work may have been performed on the brake system. However, both Wide World BMW and I categorically refute this assertion. All maintenance on my vehicle has been exclusively performed by authorized BMW service centers, and there is no evidence to suggest that any third-party work was done. The damage being attributed to third-party work is, in reality, a direct result of the fire caused by the brake system malfunction. Wide World BMW has reviewed the case and agrees that BMW North America should assume responsibility for addressing this issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11640669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.