Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Steering. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Visibility/wiper. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Back Over Prevention. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
16 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2026
Back Over Prevention
In two separate instances, I used the parking assist to back into a parking spot. Both times, the car moved forward but came so close to the car in front that I applied the brake. I felt that there would have been contact if I hadn’t. No reported damages in either instance. I stopped using the feature and will report to BMW serv…
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In two separate instances, I used the parking assist to back into a parking spot. Both times, the car moved forward but came so close to the car in front that I applied the brake. I felt that there would have been contact if I hadn’t. No reported damages in either instance. I stopped using the feature and will report to BMW service.
NHTSA ODI #11760505
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2026
Back Over PreventionForward Collision AvoidanceCrash
I am reporting a potential safety issue involving my **2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive**. I was parked on the right side of a parking lot. I moved the vehicle partially out of the parking space and slightly to the left to allow someone to enter the vehicle. I came to a stop and removed my foot from the brake while the vehicle was being h…
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I am reporting a potential safety issue involving my **2026 BMW X3 30 xDrive**. I was parked on the right side of a parking lot. I moved the vehicle partially out of the parking space and slightly to the left to allow someone to enter the vehicle. I came to a stop and removed my foot from the brake while the vehicle was being held. I then turned toward the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle suddenly accelerated/moved forward across the parking aisle and struck two vehicles. The incident happened extremely quickly. I cannot state with certainty whether my foot inadvertently contacted the accelerator, and I do not want to speculate. I believe I attempted to brake. Of particular concern, I experienced **no apparent automatic collision-avoidance/emergency braking intervention before striking the vehicles**. Prior to this accident, I had expressed concern to a BMW advisor about the speed and acceleration of this vehicle while using its automated parking system. While the advisor was demonstrating the automated parking feature, I specifically commented that the vehicle was moving unusually fast and that I was uncomfortable with the amount of acceleration. I was told that this behavior was normal. On another occasion while using the automated parking/reverse function, I became sufficiently concerned about the vehicle's speed and acceleration that I applied the brake myself because I was afraid the vehicle could cause a collision. I had also previously raised concerns regarding inconsistent operation of the vehicle's Lane Departure Warning/assistance system. I have contacted BMW of North America and requested that BMW preserve and examine the vehicle's electronic and diagnostic data, including accelerator and brake inputs, Auto Hold status, automated parking system activity, Forward Collision Mitigation/Automatic Emergency Braking activity, sensor information, diagnostic/event logs and available crash/event data. I have specifically asked BMW to determine whether acc
NHTSA ODI #11759031
10 miles · Jun 30, 2026
Electrical SystemEngine
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 unable to determine the cause of the …
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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 unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
NHTSA ODI #11747350
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2026
Back Over PreventionForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes
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.
NHTSA ODI #11745781
Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2026
Service BrakesSteeringUnknown Or Other
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 me steering. I had to have th…
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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 me steering. I had to have the vehicle towed to the shop. I have another appt on 6/23/26 as I am having another issue with the display screen in my vehicle not coming on and turning black including the speedometer on the dash, as well as the volume button. I did try to manually reboot but it did not work. I told BMW the first incident is a severe safety issue and I have been hesitant to drive the vehicle but they did not seem to care about the issues I have been having as this should not be happening within a few months of buying a brand new vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11745394
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2026
Visibility/wiper
During the second day of ownership I was driving with no vehicles in front of me and only oncoming traffic, and I heard a loud cracking sound from the windshield. It did not sound like something impacted the windshield, and I did not see any object coming toward the vehicle. Two parallel cracks immediately developed in the winds…
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During the second day of ownership I was driving with no vehicles in front of me and only oncoming traffic, and I heard a loud cracking sound from the windshield. It did not sound like something impacted the windshield, and I did not see any object coming toward the vehicle. Two parallel cracks immediately developed in the windshield beginning from the headliner directly in front of the driver's seat, and they spread down toward the dash approximately 4", then the cracks turned, remaining parallel, and spread horizontally toward the passenger side of the vehicle. The lower crack stopped, while the upper crack spread the following day to the rearview mirror assembly. Dealership determined it to be caused by impact, but the manner in which the crack spread and the path it took suggests improper windshield installation from the factory and improper tension on the glass, perhaps from a faulty or improperly installed windshield clip. BMW online forums suggest many customers are having identical problems with windshield tension cracking on this generation of the X3, complete with narratives and photographs.
NHTSA ODI #11742908
Mileage unknown · Apr 13, 2026
Visibility/wiper
This car was purchased new from an authorized dealer. After about 3 months of operation, I noticed a crack in the windshield starting at the upper edge of the passenger side of the vehicle. The crack has since spread approx. halfway across the windshield. I'm concerned that this will continue until the windshield fails. I took…
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This car was purchased new from an authorized dealer. After about 3 months of operation, I noticed a crack in the windshield starting at the upper edge of the passenger side of the vehicle. The crack has since spread approx. halfway across the windshield. I'm concerned that this will continue until the windshield fails. I took it to the dealer who agreed that it didn't appear to have been struck by a rock or anything else, but the dealership has refused to take responsibility. I looked up possible recalls on this issue and discovered that BMW has recalled other similar models for this problem, but not this model. I believe that this is an issue that should result in a recall and subsequent replacement of the windshield and I wanted to make the NHTSA aware of it.
NHTSA ODI #11730851
Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2026
Visibility/wiper
We purchased this vehicle new. It has less than 3,000 miles on it. A crack has developed in the windshield, starting in the upper corner on the passenger side and extending approximately 18 inches diagonally across the windshield. There is no evidence of an impact on the windshield by a rock or other road debris. It appears to b…
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We purchased this vehicle new. It has less than 3,000 miles on it. A crack has developed in the windshield, starting in the upper corner on the passenger side and extending approximately 18 inches diagonally across the windshield. There is no evidence of an impact on the windshield by a rock or other road debris. It appears to be a defect in the glass itself or the method of installation. I believe that this issue is worthy of investigation by the NHTSA.
NHTSA ODI #11721165
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2026
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
NHTSA Safety Complaint – Narrative VIN: [XXX] | Vehicle: 2026 BMW X3 | Purchase Date: December 2025 | Mileage at First Failure: 360 miles | Incident Date: January 14, 2026 | Crash: No | Injuries: No | Vehicle Moving: Yes I am filing this complaint regarding a serious, recurring defect in my 2026 BMW X3, purchased new in Decembe…
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NHTSA Safety Complaint – Narrative VIN: [XXX] | Vehicle: 2026 BMW X3 | Purchase Date: December 2025 | Mileage at First Failure: 360 miles | Incident Date: January 14, 2026 | Crash: No | Injuries: No | Vehicle Moving: Yes I am filing this complaint regarding a serious, recurring defect in my 2026 BMW X3, purchased new in December 2025 in California. Defect: While driving at highway and surface street speeds, the instrument panel goes completely black without warning, causing me to lose visibility of vehicle speed, fuel level, warning indicators, navigation, and driver assistance displays while in motion — a direct safety hazard. Frequency: This occurs spontaneously on multiple occasions with no specific trigger and no audible alert. Repair History: The vehicle has been presented to an authorized BMW dealership in Berkeley, CA twice for this defect. Both attempts failed. Cumulative days out of service: 31. A replacement headunit ordered from Germany was promised by February 20, 2026 and has not arrived as of February 22, 2026. Systemic Defect: At least one other NHTSA complaint documents the identical failure in a 2025 BMW X3 — and that owner experienced the same blackout in a BMW X3 loaner vehicle, strongly indicating this is a systemic defect across the 2025/2026 X3 redesign. Safety Impact: Loss of the instrument panel eliminates speed monitoring and disables critical warning indicators, increasing collision risk — particularly at highway speeds. Relief Requested: I request NHTSA open a formal investigation into this defect across 2025/2026 BMW X3 models and compel BMW to identify the root cause and issue a recall or remedy if warranted. Additional Information: I have sent formal lemon law demand letters to the selling dealership and BMW of North America under the California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and am documenting all records accordingly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11719738
900 miles · Feb 18, 2026
SteeringCrash
The contact owned a 2026 BMW X3. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed out of the garage at the residence, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle skidded on the ice, and the rear end crashed into a tree. There was no warning light illuminated during the failure. There w…
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The contact owned a 2026 BMW X3. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed out of the garage at the residence, the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The contact stated that the vehicle skidded on the ice, and the rear end crashed into a tree. There was no warning light illuminated during the failure. There was no air bags deployed during the crash. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was drivable and was taken to a Collision Center in Bloomington, Illinois, where it was inspected, and the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the Insurance Provider. The contact research and was made aware of an NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V857000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the VIN was not under recall when the crash occurred but had since received the recall notification. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 900.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2024-2026 X3 sDrive30i, X3 30 xDrive, and X3 M50 xDrive vehicles. The steering spindle may have been incorrectly attached to the steering column.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An incorrectly attached steering spindle can lead to a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering connection and replace hardware or replace the spindle and column, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 2, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 2, 2026.
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 & remedy
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 on NHTSA.gov beginning February 2, 2026.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Steering:steering Control Module
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 on NHTSA.gov beginning February 2, 2026.
Steering:linkages:drag:power Assist System
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 on NHTSA.gov beginning February 2, 2026.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2026 BMW X3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year