<p>In the context of automotive lightweighting, aluminum (Al)/steel dissimilar welding represents an effective approach toward achieving this goal. The primary challenge in welding these materials lies in the formation of brittle intermetallic compounds (IMCs) due to the significant differences in their physical and chemical properties, which directly impacts the mechanical performance of the welded joints. This review examines the mechanisms of IMCs formation during laser welding of Al/steel dissimilar metals. It also presents the latest research advancements in controlling IMCs through thermal input and the addition of filler materials, in laser keyhole welding and laser welding-brazing. Furthermore, this paper also introduces the application of other advanced laser-related welding techniques, such as laser-arc hybrid welding (LAHW)and laser-assisted friction stir welding (LAFSW), in joining Al and steel is discussed. Additionally, the utilization of numerical simulation technologies in the study of Al/steel laser welding is summarized. Finally, the future research directions in this field are outlined.</p>