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Vehicle speed controlPart report

2021 BMW X3 Vehicle speed control Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
7%of 113 total for the year
Median mileage
28,307miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2021 BMW X3, 7% of the 113 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,307 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“3 times today shortly after engaging cruise control and setting it to 75mph, the vehicle accelerated quickly to over 90mph and had to be manually disengaged. When this happened, I did not have my foot on the gas and didn't press any of the cruise control buttons except to disengage it when it dangerously accelerated on its own.”

NHTSA complaint #11414757, filed 2021-05, 1,300 miles

“My car's speedometer only displays speed in 10 miles increments, which makes it nearly impossible to know exact current speed of the car. For example when speed is between 50 and 60 I can only guess what my actual speed is, 52 or 58. Bmw for some strange reason sells an optional package which enables accurate digital speedometer, and I think accurate speedometer must be standard. This is a safety issue.”

NHTSA complaint #11383792, filed 2020-12

“On april 12, 2021 I was driving my 2021 Bmw X3 and as I was pulling up into a parking stall, my vehicle accelerated on its own causing my vehicle to collide with a brick wall.”

NHTSA complaint #11415588, filed 2021-05

“I was slowly pulling into a parking space and as I applied pressure to the brakes, there was no response. In fact the car seemed to rev up and accelerate, jumping the curb and ramming a tree. I was able to steer away from the tree to avoid hitting the center of the front end, but smashing the left front. Even after hitting the tree the car did not slow and I’m trying to pump the brakes, there was no response… I kept going over a grassy area, across a sidewalk and back into the driveway in front of the building, finally the brakes engaged and the car came to a stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #11520483, filed 2023-05

“The contact owns a 2021 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving approximately 3 MPH, and slowing to park the vehicle, the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact stated the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,307.”

NHTSA complaint #11550565, filed 2023-10, 28,307 miles

Vehicle speed control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202615%
202538%
2024410%
202233%
202187%
202033%
201942%
201811%
201733%
201645%
201577%
201433%
2013125%
2012614%
201154%
200812%
200733%
200632%
200522%
200486%

Other parts of the 2021 BMW X3

Electrical system
34 complaints
Other or unknown
26 complaints
Engine
23 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Brakes
6 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Exterior lighting
5 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
5 complaints
Steering
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 BMW X3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology