BMW Recalls X3 Because Steering Wheels Could Turn All by Themselves

If you’ve noticed the steering wheel in your BMW X3 moving without you touching it, you’re not going crazy. According to a new recall submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, several thousand 2025 and 2026 BMW X3 crossovers have a problem with their steering system software that could cause the wheels to move unintentionally. These vehicles were manufactured between August 14, 2024, and October 20, 2025, and the recall affects 36,922 vehicles, or 100% of that production run. Fortunately, it’s a relatively simple fix, and so far, it hasn’t caused any major issues that BMW is aware of.

Which Models Are Affected and How They’ll be Fixed

The NHTSA recall report says that both X3 30 xDrive and X3 M50 xDrive variants have the problem, which occurs if one or two of the channels within the steering torque sensor malfunctions while the vehicle is standing still (i.e., the car has just been started or has been put in drive but isn’t yet moving). The report goes on to say that software diagnostics may not correctly detect the problem, and since these vehicles are steered with an electric motor to steer rather than a hydraulic rack, the fix is a simple one: update the steering system software via an over-the-air update. Alternatively, owners can visit a local dealer to have the bug removed at no charge.

Related: BMW’s Screw That No One Else Can Turn

Dealers are already aware, but BMW only intends to send owner notification letters out on February 2. That’s not a big deal because, as mentioned, the issue has not caused any accidents or injuries that BMW is aware of. Still, it’s worth addressing as soon as possible because, although BMW has only seen this problem appear while vehicles are stationary, “unexpected and unintended steering wheel movement may increase the risk of a crash and/or injury,” says the NHTSA.

BMW Has Had a Relatively Small Number of Recalls in 2025

BMW has only had 20 recalls so far this year, but some of them have been serious. At the end of September, BMW warned owners to park outside due to a fire risk affecting almost 200,000 vehicles, including the 3 Series, the X3, the 4 Series, the X4, the 5 Series, and the Z4. With the Z4 impacted, the Toyota GR Supra was also affected. In October, BMW recalled smaller cars for faulty seatbelt retractors, including the X1 and X2, and last month, the German automaker discovered that the Takata airbag recall was still haunting it because some owners may have retrofitted fancier but more deadly steering wheels. While some of these issues may be serious, BMW has had seven times fewer recalls this year than the worst offender, Ford, which has notched up 145 recalls thus far.