Vehicle Speed Control Related Problems of the 2018 BMW X3

Table 1 shows one common vehicle speed control related problems of the 2018 BMW X3.

Table 1. Vehicle Speed Control related problems of BMW X3

Problem Category Number of Problems
Vehicle Speed Control problems
1

Vehicle Speed Control problem

Around April 2025, while driving at highway speeds for approximately 1hour with cruise control engaged, vehicle suddenly began to decelerate as if I had taken my foot off the throttle. Pressing the throttle had no effect on engine rpm or vehicle speed as the vehicle continued to decelerate. Tapping the brakes then pressing the throttle had no effect as vehicle continued to decelerate. I was able to negotiate across lanes of highway traffic at low speed to reach shoulder with no throttle control. After coming to a stop on the highway shoulder, pressing the throttle failed to rev the engine or move the vehicle forward in drive. After placing transmission in reverse, the vehicle did back up normally allowing me to put the car in a safer position on the shoulder. After turning off the ignition and restarting, the vehicle operated normally. I was able to complete my trip without incident. I did not engage the cruise control. A few days later, I took the vehicle to an BMW dealer service center but no error codes or malfunctions were identified. A second incident similar to the first occurred in August 2025. Again, I was able to reach the shoulder without serious incident. After turning off the ignition and restarting, the vehicle operated normally. I was able to complete my trip. I did not engage the cruise control.


Vehicle Speed Control related problems in other BMW X3 model year vehicles:



X3 Service Bulletins
X3 Safety Recalls
X3 Defect Investigations