In the United States, the recall campaign affects 2025 and 2026 model year cars. According to BMW’s estimates, the defect is potentially present in all 36,922 vehicles included in the recall.
The issue arises when the car is stationary. Due to a software glitch, the steering wheel may start turning without driver input. This pertains to situations during engine start-up or when the car is stopped with the gear engaged.
According to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), if one of the two channels of the steering assist torque sensor fails while the vehicle is parked, the system may not recognize the malfunction. In rare cases, this leads to random steering movements.
Actual manifestations of the defect have already appeared in open sources. One video shows a parked BMW X3 sharply turning the steering wheel to the side, returning it to its original position, and repeating this cycle. Meanwhile, the vehicle remains stationary.
To address the problem, BMW will issue a software update for the steering system. In most cases, it will be installed remotely over the air (OTA), without the need to visit a dealer. If desired, owners can also upgrade their vehicle for free at an official service center.
Source: Carscoops
