Recall 18V374 affects 51 2018-2019 BMW X3 vehicles with a steering wheel defect that misses hands-off driving. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
BMW is recalling 51 2018-2019 X3 vehicles with the Active Lane Keeping Assistant option because an incompatible steering wheel can keep the system from detecting when the driver's hands are off the wheel. When detection fails, one or more warning signals do not alert the driver, increasing crash risk; BMW dealers will replace the steering wheel free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The steering wheel in the 2018-2019 BMW X3 does more than turn the front wheels. On vehicles equipped with BMW's Active Lane Keeping Assistant, sensors in the wheel help the system confirm that the driver's hands are still on the wheel while the lane keeping function is active.
In the recalled X3 vehicles, the installed steering wheel was built to specifications that do not match that driver-assistance option. The sensors are not adequate for this configuration, so the system does not detect hands-off driving the way it was designed to. That leaves the lane keeping assistant with the wrong input about whether the driver is actually holding the wheel.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner will not notice a change in steering feel, noise, or a dashboard message that reliably identifies the incompatible wheel before the system misses a hands-off condition.
Who's affected?
The listed build window runs from April 26, 2018, to May 2, 2018.
| 2019 BMW X3 | Steering assist |
|---|---|
| 2018 BMW X3 | Steering assist |
| Units affected | 51 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
The hands-off-wheel sensors can fail to recognize when the driver has released the steering wheel. Without that detection, one or more warnings fail to alert the driver, increasing the risk of a crash. Keep hands on the wheel and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised BMW dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 BMW X3 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the free steering-wheel inspection and replacement if needed, which fixes the hand-detection issue for the lane keeping assistant.
- Bring the recall notice if BMW mailed one. Reference recall number 18V374 when you call.
- Drive attentively until the repair. Keep your hands on the wheel and do not rely on lane keeping alerts as your only warning.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a BMW technician inspects the steering wheel for compatibility with the Active Lane Keeping Assistant system. If the wheel is not compatible, the technician replaces it. The inspection and any required replacement are free under recall 18V374. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because BMW says that warranty covers the condition before the recall notice. Ask the service desk how the warranty applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| June 6, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 6, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 6, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 19, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 23, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V374?
Recall 18V374 covers 51 2018-2019 BMW X3 vehicles equipped with Active Lane Keeping Assistant. The steering wheel is incompatible with the lane keeping assistant function, so the system fails to detect when the driver's hands are off the wheel. BMW dealers will inspect the steering wheel and replace it free of charge when needed.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 BMW X3 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific X3 is included in recall 18V374. If it is, contact a franchised BMW dealer to schedule the steering wheel inspection. Reference recall number 18V374 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the defect at no cost. BMW dealers will inspect the steering wheel and replace it free of charge when needed, regardless of where you bought the vehicle.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is missed driver alerts from Active Lane Keeping Assistant. If the steering wheel sensors fail to detect that the driver's hands are off the wheel, the system does not alert the driver with one or more warning signals, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my BMW X3 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific X3 is included, then call a franchised BMW dealer and reference recall number 18V374.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V374000 |
|---|---|
| BMW customer service | 1-800-525-7417 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V374 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V374000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →