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      08-07-2019, 04:55 PM   #1
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Power steering failure

For the second time this year my power steering has failed. The steering becomes very stiff and even dangerous as it tends to not track straight. I left the car off for about an hour and power steering returns. It then randomly fails again while driving. Anyone else?
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      08-07-2019, 07:32 PM   #2
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I have read a few similar reports on mybmwi3.com with the early cars. Was there a campaign/recall for it?

My car had an issue one day last week where it was pulling noticeably to the right when I pulled off of the main road and onto my street. My first thought was low fluid, but I have not had the ambition yet to tear the velcro panels off in the frunk to see if there's even a provision for the owner to check/fill the system since the problem hasn't happened again.....
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      08-07-2019, 07:51 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by vreihen16 View Post
I have read a few similar reports on mybmwi3.com with the early cars. Was there a campaign/recall for it?

My car had an issue one day last week where it was pulling noticeably to the right when I pulled off of the main road and onto my street. My first thought was low fluid, but I have not had the ambition yet to tear the velcro panels off in the frunk to see if there's even a provision for the owner to check/fill the system since the problem hasn't happened again.....
I read about that too. Mine is a 2018 with less than 10k on it. I also just had service. I don't think mine is fluid since it is intermittent. Maybe the entire steering rack is faulty?
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      08-07-2019, 11:41 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
For the second time this year my power steering has failed. The steering becomes very stiff and even dangerous as it tends to not track straight. I left the car off for about an hour and power steering returns. It then randomly fails again while driving. Anyone else?
Bring to dealer. There's known issue about this. Advanced information.
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      08-07-2019, 11:42 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
For the second time this year my power steering has failed. The steering becomes very stiff and even dangerous as it tends to not track straight. I left the car off for about an hour and power steering returns. It then randomly fails again while driving. Anyone else?
Bring to dealer. There's known issue about this. Advanced information.
What's "advanced information"?

I already have a service appointment.
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      08-08-2019, 10:06 AM   #6
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Let us know what the outcome of this is. Mine got super heavy on center once, but was back to normal next time I drove the car.
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      08-10-2019, 09:18 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
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Originally Posted by jmg View Post
For the second time this year my power steering has failed. The steering becomes very stiff and even dangerous as it tends to not track straight. I left the car off for about an hour and power steering returns. It then randomly fails again while driving. Anyone else?
Bring to dealer. There's known issue about this. Advanced information.
What's "advanced information"?

I already have a service appointment.
It's not quite an official service bulletin yet. It's basically "known issues that are being addressed". We have been replacing steering racks for this issue. We don't really know what causes it and rarely ever have been able to duplicate the issue you describe.
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      08-11-2019, 09:58 AM   #8
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Seems that the software may be behind the fault. I have not had it yet but many owners have experienced this. It doesn't seem to be associated with a unique configuration.

Best thing to do is log a complaint with NHTSA so this can be tracked and forwarded to BMW.

It seems that the software is malfunctioning and affecting the electric steering controls. These controls allow for automated driving and lane keeping features that can be tapped into with things like Kwizdell's (sp) module.
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      08-15-2019, 03:41 PM   #9
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Seems that the software may be behind the fault. I have not had it yet but many owners have experienced this. It doesn't seem to be associated with a unique configuration.

Best thing to do is log a complaint with NHTSA so this can be tracked and forwarded to BMW.

It seems that the software is malfunctioning and affecting the electric steering controls. These controls allow for automated driving and lane keeping features that can be tapped into with things like Kwizdell's (sp) module.
Best thing to do is take it to your BMW dealer to have it fixed.
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      08-15-2019, 05:33 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
It's not quite an official service bulletin yet. It's basically "known issues that are being addressed". We have been replacing steering racks for this issue. We don't really know what causes it and rarely ever have been able to duplicate the issue you describe.
It's super frustrating because there are no codes, no errors, and I can't duplicate it, yet it is potentially very unsafe when on the highway or an onramp and power steering suddenly cuts out.

My i3 was in service previously for almost a month. It's been in service now for the second time for about a week. That will be 30+ days it's been in the shop and it doesn't have that many miles on it. My previous i3, however, didn't have any issues!
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      08-15-2019, 06:23 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
It's not quite an official service bulletin yet. It's basically "known issues that are being addressed". We have been replacing steering racks for this issue. We don't really know what causes it and rarely ever have been able to duplicate the issue you describe.
It's super frustrating because there are no codes, no errors, and I can't duplicate it, yet it is potentially very unsafe when on the highway or an onramp and power steering suddenly cuts out.

My i3 was in service previously for almost a month. It's been in service now for the second time for about a week. That will be 30+ days it's been in the shop and it doesn't have that many miles on it. My previous i3, however, didn't have any issues!
They should be able to make a Case and get a repair approved.
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      08-15-2019, 06:31 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
It's not quite an official service bulletin yet. It's basically "known issues that are being addressed". We have been replacing steering racks for this issue. We don't really know what causes it and rarely ever have been able to duplicate the issue you describe.
It's super frustrating because there are no codes, no errors, and I can't duplicate it, yet it is potentially very unsafe when on the highway or an onramp and power steering suddenly cuts out.

My i3 was in service previously for almost a month. It's been in service now for the second time for about a week. That will be 30+ days it's been in the shop and it doesn't have that many miles on it. My previous i3, however, didn't have any issues!
They should be able to make a Case and get a repair approved.
I think that's the problem. They don't know what to do! Perhaps swap the entire steering column like you said. Or is it software? They've already updated it.
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      08-15-2019, 06:32 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmg View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by freshxdough View Post
It's not quite an official service bulletin yet. It's basically "known issues that are being addressed". We have been replacing steering racks for this issue. We don't really know what causes it and rarely ever have been able to duplicate the issue you describe.
It's super frustrating because there are no codes, no errors, and I can't duplicate it, yet it is potentially very unsafe when on the highway or an onramp and power steering suddenly cuts out.

My i3 was in service previously for almost a month. It's been in service now for the second time for about a week. That will be 30+ days it's been in the shop and it doesn't have that many miles on it. My previous i3, however, didn't have any issues!
They should be able to make a Case and get a repair approved.
I think that's the problem. They don't know what to do! Perhaps swap the entire steering column like you said. Or is it software? They've already updated it.
It's the steering rack. Not the steering column. There's is advanced info about this. Tell them to make a Case.
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      08-22-2019, 06:27 PM   #14
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Quote:
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It's the steering rack. Not the steering column. There's is advanced info about this. Tell them to make a Case.
They offered to buy the car back. Not sure what is going to happen at this point if I'm going to take it or not.
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      08-23-2019, 12:39 PM   #15
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This actually happened to me yesterday for the first time. The steering felt locked on like cars with self-driving enabled. Very stiff to move and seemed to push back when I got off-center. It was 100% a software thing. I could feel it pushing back, not like power steering failure at all. There was active resistance. The car was still driving straight, just stiff.

I loved it. Drove around for an hour with a proper weighted wheel. Wish BMW made cars with that heavyweight steering feel again. This needs to be a selectable option in sport mode.

Parked and shut off the car. When I came back hours later it was normal again.
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      09-04-2019, 05:55 PM   #16
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UPDATE: My i3 will be bought back by BMWNA. I'm really happy how they handled this situation so far. This is one of the reasons I stick with BMW.

I've already bought a replacement i3, and it's on a boat. It should get here by the end of the month. Although I'm getting ANOTHER white one, I took this opportunity to change it up with a BEV since I never use my REx anymore. Since that freed up some $ for options, I added a moonroof, Giga World, and the HK stereo. Crossing my fingers it gets here in a timely manner and the transaction goes smoothly!
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