2025 BMW X3 Forward Collision Avoidance Problems

My wife was driving our 2025 BMW X3 in traffic and when the car in front braked suddenly. She tried to change lanes but clipped the car in front, resulting in nearly $22 thousand in damages. BMW's review of the car's "black box" purportedly shows that the Forward Collision Mitigation system engaged, but only a split second prior to the crash, which my wife did not experience. BMW's review also purports that my wife did not brake, which she also disputes. Even more concerning is that the parts need to repair the car seem to be completely unavailable from BMW--the car has been sitting in a body shop for almost 2 months and BMW has "no ETA" for the parts.

My wife was driving our 2025 BMW X3 in traffic and when the car in front braked suddenly. She tried to change lanes but clipped the car in front, resulting in nearly $22 thousand in damages. BMW's review of the car's "black box" purportedly shows that the Forward Collision Mitigation system engaged, but only a split second prior to the crash, which my wife did not experience. BMW's review also purports that my wife did not brake, which she also disputes. Even more concerning is that the parts need to repair the car seem to be completely unavailable from BMW--the car has been sitting in a body shop for almost 2 months and BMW has "no ETA" for the parts.

My wife was driving our 2025 BMW X3 in traffic and when the car in front braked suddenly. She tried to change lanes but clipped the car in front, resulting in nearly $22 thousand in damages. BMW's review of the car's "black box" purportedly shows that the Forward Collision Mitigation system engaged, but only a split second prior to the crash, which my wife did not experience. BMW's review also purports that my wife did not brake, which she also disputes. Even more concerning is that the parts need to repair the car seem to be completely unavailable from BMW--the car has been sitting in a body shop for almost 2 months and BMW has "no ETA" for the parts.

My wife was driving our 2025 BMW X3 in traffic and when the car in front braked suddenly. She tried to change lanes but clipped the car in front, resulting in nearly $22 thousand in damages. BMW's review of the car's "black box" purportedly shows that the Forward Collision Mitigation system engaged, but only a split second prior to the crash, which my wife did not experience. BMW's review also purports that my wife did not brake, which she also disputes. Even more concerning is that the parts need to repair the car seem to be completely unavailable from BMW--the car has been sitting in a body shop for almost 2 months and BMW has "no ETA" for the parts.

My accident on [XXX] with my 2025 BMW X3 VIN [XXX] was avoidable and caused by either failure in design, or in execution in two BMW systems, I'll discuss rear emergency braking here. Pictures and videos (even one of the crash) can be downloaded here: [XXX] . I was driving the car in what I believe to be an assisted parking situation, but the car did not follow the assisted path. I've filled out a safety report on that already. According to page 172 of BMW’s 416 page manual, there is a rear collision mitigation function with audible, visual, and autonomous braking. The system provided no warning of any kind—not audible, visual, or any braking whatsoever to avoid this accident. My husband had installed a trailer hitch on this vehicle. That involved removal of the bumper fascia that houses some sensors that may be involved in rear autonomous braking. However, my husband reports that the fascia was removed and replaced without incident and in exactly the same location as it originally was. We never experienced any error codes of any kind from the vehicle at any time and these sensors were working during parking to note proximity to other vehicles. There is nothing in the owner's manual to indicate any issues with removing the bumper when installing a hitch. The trailer hitch was purchased from [XXX] and they have 2 videos regarding hitch installation on the 2025 BMW X3 and my husband says he installed it consistent with these videos, as well as the PDF from the hitch manufacturer. None note having to readjust the safety system after installation of the hitch. BMW has not specifically claimed that the trailer hitch was involved, but did note that it was installed. They are involved in assessing this accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My accident on [XXX] with my 2025 BMW X3 VIN [XXX] was avoidable and caused by either failure in design, or in execution in two BMW systems, I'll discuss rear emergency braking here. Pictures and videos (even one of the crash) can be downloaded here: [XXX] . I was driving the car in what I believe to be an assisted parking situation, but the car did not follow the assisted path. I've filled out a safety report on that already. According to page 172 of BMW’s 416 page manual, there is a rear collision mitigation function with audible, visual, and autonomous braking. The system provided no warning of any kind—not audible, visual, or any braking whatsoever to avoid this accident. My husband had installed a trailer hitch on this vehicle. That involved removal of the bumper fascia that houses some sensors that may be involved in rear autonomous braking. However, my husband reports that the fascia was removed and replaced without incident and in exactly the same location as it originally was. We never experienced any error codes of any kind from the vehicle at any time and these sensors were working during parking to note proximity to other vehicles. There is nothing in the owner's manual to indicate any issues with removing the bumper when installing a hitch. The trailer hitch was purchased from [XXX] and they have 2 videos regarding hitch installation on the 2025 BMW X3 and my husband says he installed it consistent with these videos, as well as the PDF from the hitch manufacturer. None note having to readjust the safety system after installation of the hitch. BMW has not specifically claimed that the trailer hitch was involved, but did note that it was installed. They are involved in assessing this accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving away from a stop sign in clear bright daylight weather conditions, the car automatically instituted an emergency stop almost causing the car behind me to rear end my car. I am assuming that it was the "drive off safety feature" and after turning off that safety feature and had no repeat. To be clear, I actually have no idea what software system cause the emergency breaking but there were no obstructions, pedestrians or other things that should have triggered the stop.

While driving away from a stop sign in clear bright daylight weather conditions, the car automatically instituted an emergency stop almost causing the car behind me to rear end my car. I am assuming that it was the "drive off safety feature" and after turning off that safety feature and had no repeat. To be clear, I actually have no idea what software system cause the emergency breaking but there were no obstructions, pedestrians or other things that should have triggered the stop.

While driving on a state highway in cruise mode, the vehicle displayed a “CHECK CONTROL” message: •Support from Driver Assistance restricted •You can continue driving. Driver Assistance permanently restricted. •Check Control messages (1) Suddenly, the car exited cruise mode. While this is designed as a safety feature, it should not disengage abruptly during driving, as it may lead to potential risks. This a second biggest issue with this vehicle within just a few months of purchase.

While driving on a state highway in cruise mode, the vehicle displayed a “CHECK CONTROL” message: •Support from Driver Assistance restricted •You can continue driving. Driver Assistance permanently restricted. •Check Control messages (1) Suddenly, the car exited cruise mode. While this is designed as a safety feature, it should not disengage abruptly during driving, as it may lead to potential risks. This a second biggest issue with this vehicle within just a few months of purchase.

While driving on a state highway in cruise mode, the vehicle displayed a “CHECK CONTROL” message: •Support from Driver Assistance restricted •You can continue driving. Driver Assistance permanently restricted. •Check Control messages (1) Suddenly, the car exited cruise mode. While this is designed as a safety feature, it should not disengage abruptly during driving, as it may lead to potential risks. This a second biggest issue with this vehicle within just a few months of purchase.

While driving on a state highway in cruise mode, the vehicle displayed a “CHECK CONTROL” message: •Support from Driver Assistance restricted •You can continue driving. Driver Assistance permanently restricted. •Check Control messages (1) Suddenly, the car exited cruise mode. While this is designed as a safety feature, it should not disengage abruptly during driving, as it may lead to potential risks. This a second biggest issue with this vehicle within just a few months of purchase.

While driving on a state highway in cruise mode, the vehicle displayed a “CHECK CONTROL” message: •Support from Driver Assistance restricted •You can continue driving. Driver Assistance permanently restricted. •Check Control messages (1) Suddenly, the car exited cruise mode. While this is designed as a safety feature, it should not disengage abruptly during driving, as it may lead to potential risks. This a second biggest issue with this vehicle within just a few months of purchase.

While driving on a state highway in cruise mode, the vehicle displayed a “CHECK CONTROL” message: •Support from Driver Assistance restricted •You can continue driving. Driver Assistance permanently restricted. •Check Control messages (1) Suddenly, the car exited cruise mode. While this is designed as a safety feature, it should not disengage abruptly during driving, as it may lead to potential risks. This a second biggest issue with this vehicle within just a few months of purchase.