2026 BMW X3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 5 of 16 complaints (31%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 34 in 2025 to 16 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2026 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–4,550 | 2,650–2,850 | 2,650–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–25 | 27–29 | 27–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–23 / 20–29 | 25–27 / 30–33 | 25–27 / 30–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 352–519 | 299–320 | 299–320 | |
| Complaints filed | 36 | 34 | 16 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 9 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2026 BMW X3 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2026 BMW X3?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 5 of 16 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2026 BMW X3 get?
EPA rates it 27–29 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 BMW X3?
EPA estimates $2,650–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 27 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | $2,650 (low) | 299 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg (low) | 30 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 320 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM · Campaign 26V524000 · Aug 13, 2026
Defect: 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: 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.
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE; STEERING:LINKAGES:DRAG:POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · Campaign 25V857000 · Dec 11, 2025
Defect: 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.