NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
18 reportsClear category filter59,000 miles · Jul 25, 2013
Electrical SystemSteeringStructure
DRIVING NORMALLY, ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN ONTO A STREET MY POWER STEERING FAILS AND I GET A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT BATTERY CHARGING MALFUNCTION. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT TURNS OUT MY ACCESSORY BELT THAT DRIVES THE AC COMPRESSOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED AND NOT ON THE PULLEYS. I HAVE DAM…
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DRIVING NORMALLY, ABOUT TO MAKE A TURN ONTO A STREET MY POWER STEERING FAILS AND I GET A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD ABOUT BATTERY CHARGING MALFUNCTION. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT TURNS OUT MY ACCESSORY BELT THAT DRIVES THE AC COMPRESSOR, POWER STEERING PUMP AND ALTERNATOR WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED AND NOT ON THE PULLEYS. I HAVE DAMAGE TO MULTIPLE PULLEYS IN MY CAR. MY POWER STEERING PULLEY IS MISSING BIG CHUNKS BECAUSE OF IMPACT WITH THE SUB-FRAME. THIS IS A KNOWN SERVICE BULLETIN ( SIB 11 09 08 ) THE POWER STEERING PULLEY IMPACTS THE SUB-FRAME BECAUSE OF MOTOR MOVEMENT WHEN HITTING BUMPS ETC.. THIS CAUSED MY BELT TO BE RIPPED INTO SHREDS AND BREAK OFF BIG CHUNKS OF MY POWER STEERING PULLEY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10531871
61,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT START AFTER DRIVING IT. IF I DRIVE NORMAL WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING OUT OF THE NORMAL IT LOCKS. I CAN'T RESTART THE CAR. I TURN THE STEERING BACK AND FORTH TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. I HAVE EVEN GONE AS FAR AS TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEM RESTART IT. I'M SCARED THE STEERING WHEEL WI…
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THE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT START AFTER DRIVING IT. IF I DRIVE NORMAL WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING OUT OF THE NORMAL IT LOCKS. I CAN'T RESTART THE CAR. I TURN THE STEERING BACK AND FORTH TO GET IT TO UNLOCK. I HAVE EVEN GONE AS FAR AS TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND THEM RESTART IT. I'M SCARED THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK WHILE I'M DRIVING I HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I DON'T WANT OUT LIVES AT JEOPARDY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522233
80,427 miles · Mar 2, 2013
Electrical SystemSteering
STEERING WHEEL LOCK SENSOR ACTIVATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501043
105,000 miles · Feb 27, 2013
Steering
STEERING WHEEL LOCK ENGAGED NOT WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS PARKED WENT TO GET IN CAR AND START IT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS ENGAGED. TURN STEERING WHEEL TO START ENGINE WAS THE MESSAGE THAT APPEARED ON SCREEN. TRIED EVERYTHING EVEN CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP TO ASK FOR HELP. TRIED EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME FOR HOURS. IT …
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STEERING WHEEL LOCK ENGAGED NOT WHILE DRIVING. CAR WAS PARKED WENT TO GET IN CAR AND START IT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. STEERING WHEEL LOCK IS ENGAGED. TURN STEERING WHEEL TO START ENGINE WAS THE MESSAGE THAT APPEARED ON SCREEN. TRIED EVERYTHING EVEN CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP TO ASK FOR HELP. TRIED EVERYTHING THEY TOLD ME FOR HOURS. IT STILL WONT START. NEEDS TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND FIXED. WHERE THE CAR WASN'T MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS BECAUSE I HAVE READ MANY OF FORUMS AND THREADS ABOUT STEERING WHEEL LOCKS ON 07 335I AND HAVING MANY PROBLEMS. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THANKYOU *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500691
48,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
MY STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP ON ME OUT OF THE BLUE WITHOUT ANY WARNING. BMW DEALER IN RALEIGH NC (LEITH BMW ON CAPITAL BLVD) SAID THAT TO FIX IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING WHEEL COLUMN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449036
56,000 miles · Jan 20, 2012
Steering
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10444676
56,000 miles · Jan 20, 2012
Steering
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10444674
61,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Steering
RED STEERING WHEEL WITH PADLOCK IN THE DASH. DOESN'T GO AWAY AT ALL. COST SEVERAL THOUSAND TO FIX. CAR WON'T START SOMETIMES OTHERS IT WILL BUT STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T LOCK. SEARCHED ONLINE AND TONS OF OTHER 2006-2007 BMW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, ONCE THEY FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM THEY STARTED KEEPING ALL THE PARTS ION STOCK. I…
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RED STEERING WHEEL WITH PADLOCK IN THE DASH. DOESN'T GO AWAY AT ALL. COST SEVERAL THOUSAND TO FIX. CAR WON'T START SOMETIMES OTHERS IT WILL BUT STEERING WHEEL DOESN'T LOCK. SEARCHED ONLINE AND TONS OF OTHER 2006-2007 BMW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, ONCE THEY FOUND OUT THE PROBLEM THEY STARTED KEEPING ALL THE PARTS ION STOCK. I EVEN SPOKE TO A DEALERSHIP THAT SAYS THEY HAVE 2 CARS A WEEK FOR THIS; ABSOLUTELY INSANE FOR ONE DEALERSHIP. ITS A WELL KNOWN DEFAULT BUT NOT RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TO LOCK WHILE SOMEONE WAS DRIVING IT COULD BE FATAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10426414
Official recalls
5Jul 3, 2024
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Jan 15, 2020
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Oct 25, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Nov 12, 2013
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year 2006-2007 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i sedans and 530xi sports wagons, model year 2006 760i sedans, model year 2006-2007 750i, 750Li, and 760Li sedans, and model year 2006 X5 sports activity vehicles, equipped with certain seat types. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if and how the passenger frontal air bag should deploy in a crash may fatigue and develop cracks which could lead to a system failure.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Should the system fail, in the event of a crash, the front passenger air bag would be deactivated, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, free of charge. Additionally, owners of model year 2006-2007 3 Series with standard seats, 5 Series with comfort seats, and Z4 models, will receive an extended warranty on their front passenger seat occupant detection mat. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Feb 7, 2013
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Electrical System
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Consequence: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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