2001 BMW 1 Series problems

Filed Dec 21, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 120,000 miles · CA

I was driving very slowly down my block (2001 bmw x5) and I was making a right turn into my driveway and I was intending to make a 90 degree turn in the direction of my garage. As I was just into the turn the car accelerated from 1mph to about 30 MPH or even faster in less than a second- it was out of control. I was in shock not expecting this scenario- I truly thought I was going to die or crash. I was braking entire time and no stopping was happening. I was headed for my living room window. Tried to steer it away and once I hit the lawn my steering ability was all over the place. Was trying to figure if I should hit the tree because my car was heading for my neighbor's front window. Tire tracks and skid marks all over my front lawn and driveway. At that point I turned key off. Car stopped. Had about 2 or 3 seconds to react . It happened so fast and out of nowhere. By the way as I was traveling down my street, I happened to completely stop about 100 feet from my intended right turn. A neighbor was pulling out of their driveway and I was going to let that person have the right away. The car was at a dead stop 100 ft. From my driveway entrance. Was traveling at a very slow speed as I approached my driveway. Had no velocity at that point- very slow entrance into driveway.