• The X3 sDrive30i, X3 30 xDrive, and X3 M50 xDrive are being recalled.
  • BMW says the steering wheel may not provide enough force to steer.
  • Dealers will replace the steering spindle and column if needed.

The thought of the steering going seriously wrong while driving is terrifying, and for a select few BMW X3 owners in the United States, this is exactly what could happen. Due to a steering spindle issue, the car manufacturer is forced to issue a recall for select 2024-2026 X3 models.

BMW says that the attachment between the steering spindle and the steering column may not meet specifications due to a deviation in the production process. What this means for owners is that turning the steering wheel may not provide enough force to actually steer, posing an obvious safety risk that shouldn’t be ignored.

Read: BMW Built Smarter Steering For The X3, And Then It Started Turning On Its Own

BMW became aware of a potential issue in July when the owner of a non-US-market vehicle reported that the steering wheel of their 2025 X3 could be turned with little effort. Initially, the dealer was unable to identify any damage, but a more in-depth analysis from BMW traced back the issue to a production deviation. The German brand says it has not received any reports of accidents or injuries related to the issue.

Which Models Are Impacted?

 13 American BMW X3s’ Steering Might Not Steer

A total of just 13 units are involved in the recall. These consist of X3 sDrive30i, X3 30 xDrive, and X3 M50 xDrive models, all of which were manufactured between August 7, 2023, and February 7, 2026.

Owners of impacted models will be alerted to the recall on October 2. Dealers have been instructed to inspect the connection between the steering spindle and the steering column and, if necessary, replace both to prevent the issue from recurring. Despite the prospect of a steering issue, owners have not been instructed to park their SUVs while awaiting a fix.

 13 American BMW X3s’ Steering Might Not Steer