The iX may be a technological feat for BMW, but the brand appears to have goofed up a fairly unassuming part of the car. Drivers are reporting that they have been accidentally turning on the cruise control while performing low-speed maneuvers, and the automaker must now recall the all-electric sport activity vehicle.
The problem first came to light in late 2022, when BMW received complaints of unintended acceleration from owners. It looked into the matter, and although it determined that one early case cannot have been related to cruise control, it determined that the system was activated in some later cases.
Read: Tesla Recalls 285,000 Vehicles In China Over Unintended Cruise Control Activation
Eventually, it found that while the vehicle is driving at low speeds and there is a high steering angle, the driver’s hand can inadvertently touch the cruise control button. Photos of the iX‘s interior reveal that the function’s controls are located on the left hand spoke of the steering wheel, and the speed can be set with a physical button that sits proud of the wheel, while a pressure point button to set the cruise control sits above it.
BMW suggests that the problem may occur when a driver has set the cruise control, deactivated it, and then accidentally reactivates it, such as when they are parking at the end of a long highway drive.
Although a vehicle suddenly accelerating is alarming, the driver can deactivate the system pressing the cancel button, or the brake pedal. BMW is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem, which affects a total of 11,180 iX xDrive50s and iX M60s from the 2022-2024 model years.
The automaker believes that it will be able to solve the issue with a software update, but does not specify how. It will start getting in touch with owners on July 28, and a dealer will be available to update their vehicle’s software, free of charge.
