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BMW X5 adaptive cruise problems

19 of the 3,181 owner complaints about the BMW X5 describe adaptive cruise control problems, most of them for the 2022 model year.

owner complaints
19
worst model year
2022
typical mileage
52,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2026
    1
  • 2025
    2
  • 2024
    1
  • 2022
    4
  • 2021
    2
  • 2020
    1
  • 2018
    1
  • 2011
    1
  • 2008
    2
  • 2003
    1
  • 2002
    2
  • 2001
    1

What owners say

Filed Sep 2, 2026 · Acceleration · TN

Driving on highway using assisted driving pro (hands off steering wheel and feet off pedals). Speed set for 65 or 67. Driver's phone call came up on display screen. Passenger answered and hung up on screen. Driver did not touch wheel. Car started accelerating. Reached 93 mph before realized what was happening and able to apply brakes. Short time later tried to reengage speed and verbally requested increase to 65 or 67. Car set cruise control to 110. Both passengers heard 65 or 67, definitely not 110. Applied brake and didn't use any driver assistance controls for remainder of trip. Nice weather, no glare, light traffic. Software update was installed the day before. BMW dealership found no problem. National BMW consumer line suggested setting speed manually with buttons on steering wheel instead of verbally.

Filed Aug 15, 2026 · Driver assistance · AZ

While driving eastbound on [XXX] on XXX between approximately 9:29 and 10:21 AM, the vehicle suddenly displayed a red warning instructing the driver to “Take over braking function immediately.” At that moment, adaptive cruise control braking and automated braking assistance disengaged without warning, requiring the driver to manually brake while in traffic. This created an unexpected safety hazard for the driver, passengers, and surrounding motorists. Prior to this event, the vehicle had exhibited repeated Driver Assistance instability across multiple service visits, including inconsistent adaptive cruise control behavior, braking‑related restrictions, and GPS mislocation affecting ADAS functions. The vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer’s authorized dealer across five service visits, including replacement of the head unit and multiple software resets. The underlying malfunction has occurred repeatedly, but the specific braking alert has not been reproduced by the dealer. No crash, fire, or injury occurred. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 5, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · IL

Forward Collision Braking, a safety system, is deactivated when cruise control is activated. Further BMW sells the X5 with the mode button of the Driver Assistance Package available on the steering wheel. This to me is deceptive. My previous X5 had the system a when I activated it by pressing the mode button it worked. I assumed by pressing the mode button on the new X5 it would also work. To me this is like activating the turn signal- the feature is there, you activate it, you expect it to work.

Filed Jan 25, 2025 · Suspension · NC

Component Malfunctioned, All dashboard light are on. service check needed immediately. PCV heater not working ,cruise control not working, loose suspensions, knocking noise from the front and rear of the car. Air bags driver and passenger. All other UNKnown problems. I was told my Casey BMW of Newport News Va. That my car had no recalls? I am spending so much money just to try to keep my car updated. I can no longer do it. I am on a fixed income. If you can be of any assistance, please help! Thanks

Filed Jan 10, 2025 · Driver assistance, Electrical · TX

Shark fin antenna - Telematic control module malfunctioning. Seems to have a leak issue causing modules inside/under antenna to get wet from rain or car washes. This is causing an error message "SOS emergency call system malfunctioning", you will not be able to make calls under an emergency. Other issues include GPS, remote start, lane assist, adaptive cruise control etc... not working properly and potentially causing an accident on the road.

Filed Jul 26, 2024 · Fuel system · CA

Unintended acceleration when slowing to a stop. Car accelerated requiring significant brake pressure to avoid hitting the stopped car ahead. This has happened on two separate occasions. Checked to see if carpet or any other physical interference could have caused the issue. No issues found. Cruise control was lot activated and incident was a low speed.

Filed Apr 13, 2024 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

We were driving at about 45 miles per hour (not using adaptive cruise control) and the emergency braking system suddenly kicked in, slamming on the brakes even though there was nobody in front of us slowing down and there was no hazard. It created a dangerous situation as the car in back of us could have rear-ended us.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Driver assistance · WA

Driving 75mph on I90 westbound from Spokane to Seattle at about 9 am on 09/24/23, cruise control on with assisted driving. Red alert on screen then car suddenly went from 75 to 20 in a few seconds, pulled over on side and then able to drive again. Luckily, no one was behind when this happened but easily could have been rear ended. No pre warnings were issued on dashboard and not wearing sunglasses. Have talked to BMW but have not had chance to take vehicle in yet.

Filed Aug 13, 2023 · Driver assistance · CO

2022 BMW X5 Adaptive Cruise Control (a very expensive option) will not reliably stop or accelerate your BMW. It is dangerous and unsafe and should be eliminated until it will brake safely. I have a video that I was unable to upload. This system if left to stop your vehicle will crash a occupants into a stopped vehicle. Always brakes to late. Scares all occupants. Not safe to use in traffic, not safe on the highway, it’s not safe, period. How is BMW permitted to sell an advanced cruise control system, that is to safely stop and accelerate a bmw if it doesn’t? If it can’t stop a vehicle autonomously with a driver actively engaged, what distinguishes this from standard cruise control that requires a driver to be fully engaged. In 2022, and since 2000, this is not advanced cutting edge technology. DONT BY A BMW, THEY DONT CARE IF THEY ARE SELLING A DANGEROUS SYSTEM. I WOULD NOT USE THIS SYSTEM IF IT WAS FREE. Brakes have to work 100% of the time. Anything less when it comes to braking your vehicle is VERY DANGEROUS.

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Driver assistance · IL

East bound on US 20 and Barrington Road in Hanover Park IL. I was in the right lane and had stopped at the light, about 3rd or 4th car back. There was a semi-truck in the middle lane (on my left). Assisted Driving/Adaptive Cruise Control (Cruise Mode 2) was active. The car automatically accelerated from the light. When I entered the intersection, the car sounded a warning alarm and braked very hard momentarily, but did not stop the car. I was quite startled and did not notice an alert in the dash. Braking was so hard and so sudden I felt lucky that I was not rear ended by the car behind me. There was nothing in my path. Just beyond the intersection there is a rail road overpass. The road curves slightly to the right just beyond the intersection and is slightly downhill to go under the overpass. There was a freight train on the overpass, all tanker cars I believe. My speculation is the car's sensors "saw" the freight train as a potential collision, perhaps cross traffic. and the car's safety systems were applied.

Related recalls

Electronic stability control (ESC)Reported October 2, 2024 · 11,579 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, X5, X6, X7, XM, 530i, i5, 740i, 760i, i7, and 750e vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models and model years. The integrated brake (IB) system may malfunction and result in a loss of power brake assist or cause the Antilock Brake (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) systems to not function properly.
Risk
A loss of power brake assist can extend the distance required to stop the vehicle. Additionally, malfunctioning ABS and/or DSC systems can cause a loss of vehicle control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the integrated brake module, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed November 22, 2024. Second letters will be mailed once the parts are available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Vehicles in this recall were previously repaired under recall number 24V‑104 and will need to have the new remedy completed.

Recall number 24V739000 · Recall details

Electronic stability control (ESC): control moduleReported September 18, 2024 · 309 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America (BMW) is recalling certain 2023-2024 X1, 2024-2025 X5, 2025 X6, 2023-2025 X7, 740i, 760i, 2024 XM, 530i, 540i, i7, 750e, X2, 2024-2025 i5, 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre, 2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4, JCW Countryman ALL4, and 2025 MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, Cooper S) vehicles. Please refer to the recall report for the complete list of models. The welds in the servomotor of the integrated brake control module may break, causing a loss of power brake assist and rear brake function. In addition, the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system may not function.
Risk
A loss of brake power assist or rear brake function can result in extended stopping distance. A loss of ABS or DSC can cause a loss of vehicle handling and control. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 13, 2024. Owners can contact BMW Customer Service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 24V697000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: softwareReported February 19, 2021 · 13,858 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive50i, X7 M50i, Alpina XB7, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, and 8 Series Coupe, Convertible and Grand Coupe, 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8, 2020-2021 530e, 530e xDrive, 330e, 330e xDrive, 745Le, 745Le xDrive, X5 xDrive45e, X3 xDrive30e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M50i, X6M, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 740i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, M760i Drive, M760Li xDrive, 750Li xDrive Alpina, Alpina B7 xDrive, and 2021 4 Series Coupe 430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive vehicles. When shifting into Reverse, a small portion of the rearview image may be obscured, or the screen may not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
If the driver relies on only the rearview camera image, the missing or reduced rearview image view can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 21V096000 · Recall details

Back over prevention: sensing system: cameraReported September 27, 2019 · 257,473 vehicles affected
What is wrong
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1‑877‑877‑3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371.

Recall number 19V684000 · Recall details

Questions about the BMW X5 adaptive cruise

Which BMW X5 years have adaptive cruise control problems problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2022 (4 complaints), 2002 (2 complaints) and 2008 (2 complaints).

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