2012 BMW X3 SAV Steering Problems

WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY FOR MORE THAN 10 MINUTES IN WARM WEATHER, THE STEERING FEELS "STICKY" AND IS HARD TO KEEP IN THE LANE. IT FEELS AS THOUGH YOU ARE FIGHTING TO MAKE THE SMALL CORRECTIONS NECESSARY TO KEEP THE CAR FROM DRIFTING OUTSIDE THE LANE, AND THAT THE STEERING IS "LOCKED" INTO POSITION. IT MAKES DRIVING THE CAR FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD ON THE HIGHWAY UNBEARABLE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED IN ONLINE BMW FORUMS BY MULTIPLE OTHER BMW X3 OWNERS. NEITHER THE DEALERSHIP NOR AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP CAN IDENTIFY WHAT CAUSES THE ISSUE, NOR HOW TO FIX IT. A NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN TRIED: NEW BATTERY, NEW STEERING MODULE SOFTWARE, A REPLACEMENT STEERING SHAFT, AND AN ALIGNMENT. NONE HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED TO BMW USA.