[switchman]

Hi to all !
I hope everybody is enjoying the Christmas holidays.

I am until I got this letter from BMW yesterday, has anybody else received similar recall notice ?

I searched in BMW recall website as well as NHSTA but none is listed. Its weird that this letter does not include TSB number;

[Billfitz]

The failure of the bolts that connect the electric boost motor to the steering rack is well known. Search 'steering rack' and you'll find plenty of threads. The failure rate might not yet be at the point that there's an actual recall, but it's high enough that BMW is doing something about it.

[switchman]

Thanks, Billfitz.
I'll research some more and I intend to call Customer Relations.

[bavarianride]

This is good info. How many owners have received this letter? To OP, what model year/month of production of your car?

[switchman]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

This is good info. How many owners have received this letter? To OP, what model year/month of production of your car?

Received this for my 2014 328i, 10/2013 production date.

[n00bkiller944]

I got one last week for my 2014 BMW 328d

[delvec03]

I have one on my 2015 228i n20. haven't seen anything else in the 2er forums which I felt was odd.

[sean2648]

Interesting story about my experience around this recall/problem.

I've had my car a couple months now, and the first time I had it up on stands to do some installs, I took everything apart to just take a look and inspect everything. Everything looks awesome, except in this specific area. The recall just takes care of the bolts really, there are 3. They describe the issue as either the bolts can be eroded a bit or they are "loose" and need to be retorqued down to spec. It's literally like a 20 min visit once they get your car in there.

Well low and behold I look at the area and 1 bolt is completely missing and there is a crack in the electric motor housing. I was freaking out since the car was immaculate other than this. No previous accidents, and definitely nothing to assume this type of issue. Called my local indy since they are friends to get their opinion. Thankfully they called to get the part numbers for a potential replacement and find out there is a recall out for this exact item. Called BMW and they explain what I just said, its normally just retightening or replacing those 3 bolts, simple recall. THANKFULLY the foreman was great and said everything would be covered, but I had to get an entire steering rack replacement. They had my car for over 4 weeks, and I was in a loaner.

Very fortunate this was out there. And then funny part is I get the same letter OP posted about a week before I get my car back, good times.

[Billfitz]

If it only took an hour or less they replaced the bolts that attach the motor to the rack. Most of that time would have been removing and reattaching the under body shield. If the bolts let go and the motor comes loose they can't replace just the motor, they have to replace the entire rack assembly, and then it has to be registered to the car. There are quite a few threads, some of them years old, about racks being replaced, usually with no explanation why it was necessary. It appears now that it was probably the bolts in most cases. Anyone who paid for it might be entitled to reimbursement.

[sean2648]

What Bill said is definitely the case. Normally they tell you the recall "adjustment" takes an hour or less, and all of that time is spent just getting the car up and taking off the shields (its like 25 or so bolts holding those 2 shields up). Takes 30 seconds to replace the 3 torq bolts.

But yea, anything further than that and you are getting your entire steering rack replaced. Shop foreman definitely told me my case was pretty unique and some of the worst damage he's seen having to do with the recall.

[bavarianride]

My VIN does not show up on bmw-rp.com, and a key read did not pull up any open campaign, so it looks like my car is not (yet) included in this recall.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by switchman

Received this for my 2014 328i, 10/2013 production date.

Has any steering rack issue/noise been reported to service? I do wonder if this recall(with no TSB/SIB?) is for every F30, so just those with previous records of steering complaints.

[switchman]

Update:

I called Customer Relations and was informed of the recall as a "Service Action" thats why no recall will be found on the web. Dealers are all informed of the action.

I'll be calling my SA shortly then.

[Orion4]

It appears from this thread and an earlier similar thread, some folks are getting letters and others not (so far). Between the 2 threads it seems that most that have posted are 228/328 and one or two 335i- across the last 5 or 6 years. Looks like the only way to identify if your car is affected is by having the dealer run your VIN.

[Billfitz]

Looking at the BMW parts list there are some 27 different steering racks that have been used in the F20 and F30 series. If only some of those racks are affected that explains why only some drivers are getting notices.

[pongkin]

got this letter today, tells me its not a notice of a recall or service action.its an extension of my limited warranty. I guess I'll have to talk to my SA see what he can pull to get it replaced

[Billfitz]

You don't need to replace the rack if it isn't broken. Replacing the bolts that could corrode and fail is all that's required. I haven't gotten a letter, nonetheless when I do my spring oil change I'll pull the shield and take a look at my rack and replace the bolts myself if there's anything suspect.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by pongkin

got this letter today, tells me its not a notice of a recall or service action.its an extension of my limited warranty. I guess I'll have to talk to my SA see what he can pull to get it replaced

What is your F30 build date?

[pongkin]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

What is your F30 build date?

i got a 2014 335i f30

[JKPIrving]

I sent my car to an Independent shop and they said the it needed a new steering rack. When we got home I found the letter stating there are issues with the bolts for the power steering gear.

Could this issue cause the steering rack to fail? Should I have the car towed to BMW dealer?

Any help will be appreciated.

[CaeBlock]

The same here... yesterday i founded that my F30 its elegible to this recall....

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by JKPIrving

I sent my car to an Independent shop and they said the it needed a new steering rack. When we got home I found the letter stating there are issues with the bolts for the power steering gear.
Could this issue cause the steering rack to fail? Should I have the car towed to BMW dealer?

A forum search will reveal that lots of racks have been replaced, and the usual reason is bolt failure. That's why the service bulletin and extended warranty were issued.