2026 BMW X3

1 recalls, 24 complaints - 4/5 safety rating

STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE

Defect Description

BMW of North America, LLC is recalling certain 2025-2026 X3 vehicles. While the vehicle is stationary, unexpected steering wheel movement (rotation) may occur.

Consequence

Unintended steering wheel movement while the vehicle is stationary increases the risk of an injury and on the road, a crash.

Remedy

The steering system software will be updated, free of charge, either over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable... Read more

36,922 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC

Complaint Statistics

24 total complaints 1 crashes

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE	6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	4
STEERING	2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL	2
SERVICE BRAKES	2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	1
STRUCTURE:BODY	1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	1

Incident date: Jun 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2026 BMW X3. The contact stated that while vehicle was stopped at an intersection with the engine running, the message “Auto Start Feature Off” was displayed, and the starter was cycling unexpectedly. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted but was una... Read more

Incident date: Jun 7, 2026

Incident date: Jan 9, 2026

BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE AND ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. BOTH BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE FACTORY DEFECTIVE. ROTORS ARE PITTED AND WARPED - BRAND NEW FROM FACTORY. BRAKES SEQUEL EXCESSIVELY IN BOTH FORWARD OR BACKWARDS MOTION. UNSAFE.

Incident date: Jan 9, 2026

Incident date: Mar 5, 2026

I purchased a new 2026 bmw x3 in November 2025 and a couple of months later as I was getting in the car for work, I turned the vehicle on and a ton of alerts were dinging off and the steering wheel went haywire along with the breaking, I could not brake and it was steering me off of the road without... Read more

Incident date: Mar 5, 2026

Incident date: Jun 6, 2026

My vehicle is subject to open safety recalls involving seatbelt and third-row airbag systems. The seatbelt defect has resulted in seatbelts becoming unlatched while my children were restrained in the vehicle. The third-row airbag recall affects occupant protection in a collision. Hyundai has been un... Read more

Incident date: Jan 15, 2026

Submitted the vehicle for recall repairs under recalls 25v315, 25v455, 25v104 and 25v517. Maintenance was scheduled to last less than a day. When I returned for the vehicle, I was informed the update had caused several module components to "brick." They informed me they had to receive authority fr... Read more

Incident date: Feb 25, 2026

Liftgate was clicking leaving interior lights on Drained battery- had to buy new battery! NOW Liftgate wil NOT open at all.

Incident date: Jan 14, 2026

After inspection by a few people it was determined that the front passenger side lower frame cracked which then cracked the body oozing rusty water out of it. I was told that if the car was hit on the passenger side that it would not retain its ability to be stable and would crumple. It has been ins... Read more

Incident date: Jan 14, 2026

Windshield developed a long crack overnight while parked in an enclosed garage with stable temperatures. No rock impact was observed or heard during driving prior to parking. Upon inspection, a small mark resembling an impact point was found, but it is unclear whether this is an external impact or a... Read more

Incident date: Jan 14, 2026

I am the original owner of a 2017 Honda Pilot and bought the car new. It has 142,549 miles and been well maintained and adult driven. The engine started making a knocking noise. I took the car to the Honda dealer and they told me the engine needs to be replaced. Needless to say, they told me it ... Read more

Incident date: Dec 1, 2025

I was driving with the car in Autopilot in the center lane of the highway. I could see a white vehicle move close on my right, and I confirmed that it had crossed over into my lane with both its front and back left wheels on my Tesla screen with a quick glance. I then tried to maneuver to the left l... Read more

Crash

Incident date: Jan 7, 2026

My car has previously been reported for having issues with electrical problems that I have had to fight the manufacturer to get repaired unsuccessfully.I am constantly experiencing and smelling burning in my dash when I crank the car. Car is no longer under warranty, so therefore, I cannot afford to... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

Here is a summary of the issue I experienced in a form of answers your questions. I have uploaded a more detailed description of the issue in a pdf file. 1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The power steering on my new 2026 BMW X3... Read more

Incident date: Jan 1, 2026

Many things are happening to my truck that’s why I am contacting you people to see if I got any callback thank you so much

Incident date: Dec 5, 2025

One two separate occasions while driving the car has lost the ability to accelerate. There is no acceleration power even when completely flooring the gas pedal. The dash displays a red circle warming that states "Check Hybrid system. Stop Safely". I have had to coast to the side of the road and then... Read more

Incident date: Nov 23, 2025

While driving the engine suffered a catastrophic failure and died. Fortunately I was already coming to a stop when it happened. Had I been traveling at speed I would have been seriously injured or killed along with any other vehicles I may have crashed into. The Chevrolet dealership where vehicle wa... Read more

Incident date: Nov 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH and attempting to make a right turn while depressing the accelerator pedal, the contact heard a popping sound coming from the front driver’s side and three of the wheels attempted to switch to 4WD; however, the d... Read more

Incident date: Nov 22, 2025

My 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 experienced a complete engine failure at ~51,000 miles, shortly after a major repair for a known defect. Initially, the vehicle showed a misfire on cylinder #3, which was diagnosed at RBM of Alpharetta as low compression due to valve seat damage, matching MB TSB LI01.30... Read more

Incident date: Nov 22, 2025

My car is a 2020 Kia sportage with 65,000 miles. We bought it bran new. Since we bought the car we've had problems. We took it to the Kia dealership and they did an oil consumption test. They said the car needed a new engine. Kia cooperation refuses to replace the engine and want us to pay for it be... Read more

Incident date: Oct 20, 2025

When I purchased my vehicle I noticed the round rod that contains the backup camera, which is mounted on the spare tire bracket to be all scratched and scruffed up. The dealership (Hawk Ford, Carol Stream) agreed to replace this. Their are scratches inside where the camera sits around the threadin... Read more

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2026 BMW X3

2026 BMW X3 SUV N/A AWD

Category	Rating
Overall Rating	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Driver	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash, Passenger	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Side Crash	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Driver	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Side Crash, Passenger	5 / 5 ★★★★★
Rollover	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk	16.9%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	No
Lane Departure Warning	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

BMW X3 - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW X3 across all model years (2004, 2026).

124 Total Recalls

2,766 Total Complaints

0 Investigations

152 Reported Crashes

130 Reported Fires

1 Reported Deaths

BMW X3 - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026 (current)	1	24
2025	8	66	View
2024	2	47	View
2023	4	12	View
2022	7	103	View
2021	10	140	View
2020	16	136	View
2019	10	227	View
2018	11	102	View
2017	6	138	View
2016	5	117	View
2015	7	158	View
2014	6	127	View
2013	7	346	View
2012	2	67	View
2011	4	163	View
2010	4	41	View
2009	3	23	View
2008	3	93	View
2007	3	132	View
2006	2	178	View
2005	2	144	View
2004	1	182	View

Other BMW Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
X5	223	4,349	View
330I	122	1,050	View
X6	110	293	View
328I	108	3,743	View
M3	95	550	View
325I	83	1,809	View
Z4	83	1,439	View
5 SERIES	78	557	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2026 BMW X3

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2026 BMW X3

Safety Technology

BMW X3 - All Years Overview

BMW X3 - Year by Year

Other BMW Models