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Power Steering Failure On BMW ActiveE Prompts Recall

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Old 07-13-12, 05:14 AM
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bagwell
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Default Power Steering Failure On BMW ActiveE Prompts Recall

http://insideevs.com/power-steering-...rompts-recall/

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a recall for 2011 BMW ActiveE 1-series and 2012 BMW Z4 models due to a possible loss of electrical assisted power steering. According to the release, the NHTSA stated that a sudden loss of steering might happen due to varied electrical currents that would harm the computer responsible for power steering.



On many new vehicles, power steering components are ran via electronic steering actuators and not from a belt driven pump that provides fluid to ease the mechanical steering. The press release states that a sudden loss of steering assistance may increase the steering effort required to control the direct of the vehicle creating a larger risk of an accident.

To fix this issue, BMW will contact customers and have dealerships replace the Steering Assistance Module free of charge. If you are not contacted by BMW Customer Relations, give them a call at 1-800-525-7417 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236.

Not sure if this is the same steering system as the 2011 BMW X3, however I found a recall letter from August 2011 stating a similar issues. The Recall Campaign Number 11V-341: Electric Power Steering Assist stated the repair time would be around fours hours, but depends on the specific vehicle and service center.


Report Date : July 13, 2012 at 08:12 AM
NHTSA Campaign ID number : 12V302000




Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
BMW / ACTIVEE 2011


Manufacturer: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC Mfr's Report Date: JUN 28, 2012
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 12V302000 N/A
NHTSA Action Number: N/A

Component: STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
Potential Number of Units Affected: 162

Summary:
BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 1-SERIES ACTIVE E AND MODEL YEAR 2012 Z4 VEHICLES. VARIATIONS IN ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, LEADING TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.

Consequence:
SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSISTANCE MAY INCREASE THE STEERING EFFORT REQUIRED TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF A VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING ASSISTANCE MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 1-800-525-7417.

Notes:
CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
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