BMW X1 Cruise Control Failure, Fix Options & Tips

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2011 BMW X3 last year. The cruise control failure was traced to a faulty brake light switch connector. The error message was identical to what you're describing. At the garage, they found the wiring harness leading to the brake light switch had some corrosion and a loose connection. It wasn't a major repair, just needed the connector cleaned and properly secured. The mechanic also updated the control module software while they were at it. This is actually a fairly common issue with these models and isn't typically serious. The brake light switch is a safety feature that disables cruise control when you tap the brakes, so when it's not communicating properly, the whole system shuts down. Before you head to the shop, you might want to check if your brake lights are working normally, as this could be a related symptom. Hope this helps give you some direction.

Thanks for sharing that info about the brake light switch! That definitely sounds similar to what I'm experiencing. I'm relieved to hear it wasn't a major repair. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the fix? Also, just curious, have you had any other cruise control problems since they sorted it out? My brake lights seem to be working fine, but I'll definitely mention the switch to the mechanic when I take it in. Been putting it off, but guess I should get it checked soon.

Hey again! Great to hear back from you! I finally got around to taking my X3 to the mechanic last month for that cruise control issue I mentioned. Just wanted to update you, they found it was exactly what I suspected: a damaged cable connection that needed fixing. The repair was pretty straightforward and cost me 95 Euro. The best part? Haven't had a single problem with the cruise control since they fixed it. It's working perfectly now, such a relief! I can finally do those longer drives without my right foot getting tired. That's actually not bad considering what some BMW repairs can cost. My mechanic mentioned these connection issues are pretty common in our models, so they've gotten pretty efficient at fixing them. Definitely recommend getting yours checked out soon. Better to fix it now than have it potentially cause other issues down the line. Plus, once you get that cruise control back, you'll wonder why you waited so long! Let me know how it goes when you get it sorted!

Thanks everyone for the advice! Just wanted to update you on what happened with my BMW. I finally got the courage to visit a new mechanic yesterday, and I'm glad I did! The guy was super honest and knowledgeable. Turns out you were spot on, it was indeed a wiring issue with the brake light switch. Took them about an hour to fix it, and they charged me way less than I expected. The mechanic showed me the corroded wire and explained everything clearly. The cruise control is working perfectly now. Such a relief not having that error message popping up anymore! Think I've found my new go-to mechanic too, really appreciated how straightforward they were about everything. Thanks again for pushing me to get it checked out. Sometimes you just need that little nudge to take care of these things, right? Now I can finally enjoy those long drives again without my foot cramping up!