Recall 21V031: Steering Spindle – 2021 BMW X5, X6 & X7

January 29, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V031000

Loose Steering Column Shaft

A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V031

Manufacturer BMW of North America, LLC

Components STEERING

Potential Number of Units Affected 21

 

Summary

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft’s universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.

 

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

Check if your BMW has a Recall

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SIB 32 01 21

2021-02-18

RECALL 21V-031: STEERING SPINDLE

This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 1) replaces SI B32 01 21 dated January 2021.

 

What’s New (Specific text highlighted):

• Correction, Procedure, Parts, Warranty added

 

Please perform the procedure outlined in this Service Information on all affected vehicles before customer delivery. In the event the customer has already taken delivery of the vehicle, please perform the procedure the next time the vehicle is in the shop.

 

MODEL

 

 

AFFECTED VEHICLES

Affected vehicles which require this Campaign to be completed will show it as “Open” when checked either in AIR, the “Service Menu” of DCSnet (Dealer Communication System), ISPA NEXT or Warranty Vehicle Inquiry.

 

SITUATION

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective January 22, 2021) on a small number of Model Year 2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between September 8, 2020 and September 17, 2020.

 

The steering spindle may not have been assembled to specifications.  If this occurred, it would be noticed by unusual noise and/or some “play” in the steering system.

 

The Recall Notice and Q&A have been attached for further information.

 

CORRECTION

Inspect the universal joint bolted connection at the steering spindle to the universal joint (lower shaft). If necessary, replace the steering spindle and universal joint.

 

PROCEDURE

1. Remove the wheel arch cover, rear side, from the left front of vehicle as per REP51 71 039.

 

2. Remove the bolt (1) from the steering spindle universal joint connection (3).

 

3. Inspect universal joint for imprint from the bolt head.

 

NOTE: A clear photo of the universal joint surface where the bolt head contacts it (see next photo), regardless of results, must be submitted immediately via a TSARA info case.

The case is for documentation only and not a request for authorization.

 

4. Can an imprint of the bolt head be seen on the universal joint surface as indicated in the area of the red arrows?

 

Yes, replace the bolt, and torque to specifications per REP 32 31 211

 

No, replace the steering spindle and universal joint as per REP 32 31 070 and 32 32 211

 

PARTS INFORMATION

Only use and invoice the part numbers below that apply.

 

Performing a part number look-up in ETK (EPC) by VIN or model in place of using/invoicing the following part numbers may result with the wrong part numbers being invoiced and installed, this could delay the payment of the claim.

 

*aka universal joint

 

Additionally, other small parts that are not specified above, such as one-time use screws, nuts and seals, which must be replaced according to the ISTA repair instructions/ETK, must be selected from the Electronic Parts Catalogue according to the respective vehicle type and invoiced under the special defect code.

 

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SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

 

To:  All Center Operators, Sales Managers, Service Manager, Parts Manager and Warranty Processor

RE: Recall 21V-xxx: Steering Spindle – B32 01 21

BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Safety Recall (effective January 22, 2021) on a small number of Model Year 2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between September 8, 2020 and September 17, 2020.

Please be reminded that it is a violation of federal law (The Safety Act) for you to sell, lease or deliver any new motor vehicle covered by this notification until the recall repair has been performed.  This means that centers may not legally deliver new motor vehicles to consumers until they are fixed or use/sell replacement equipment/parts subject to this recall.  Note also that substantial civil penalties apply to violations of the Safety Act. 

 

Also, you should not sell, lease or deliver any Certified Pre-Owned or used vehicles subject to a safety recall until the repair is completed. 

 

Please follow any special instructions that we provide to you for the return or disposition of recall parts.

  

We appreciate all your assistance with this Recall.

 

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Safety Recall 21V-xyz
Steering Spindle
Model Year 2021
BMW X5/X5M SAV / X6 SAC, X7 SAV
Initial Release: 01/22/2021

 

 Q1. Which BMW Group models in the US are potentially affected by this Safety Recall?

A small number of Model Year 2021 BMW X5/X5M SAV, X6 SAC, and X7 SAV models in the US, produced in September 2020, are potentially affected.

 

Q2. What is the specific issue?

The steering spindle may not have been assembled to specifications.  If this occurred, it would be noticed by unusual noise and/or some “play” in the steering system.

 

Q3. Why are other models / vehicles not included in this Safety Recall?

Other models have had the steering spindle assembled according to specifications.

 

Q4. Can I continue to drive my vehicle?

Yes.  However, when you receive a letter requesting you to make an appointment to have this Safety Recall performed by an authorized BMW center, please do so as soon as possible.  If you are not the only driver of this vehicle, please advise all other drivers of this important information.

 

Q5. Can I determine if this issue exists in my vehicle?

If you notice an unusual noise from the area of the steering system, or notice extra “play” within the steering system, your vehicle may be experiencing this issue.  If this issue occurs, carefully move away from traffic and pull over to a safe location as soon as possible.  If it is safe to do so, all occupants should carefully exit the vehicle and move to a safe location away from traffic.  Do not continue to drive the vehicle.  Contact BMW Roadside Assistance at 1-800-332-4269 immediately to have your vehicle brought to the nearest authorized BMW center.

 

Q6. How did BMW Group become aware of the issue?

BMW Group became aware of the issue through our quality control procedures.

 

Q7. How will I be informed of this Safety Recall?

Letters will be mailed to owners in February via First Class mail advising them of this Safety Recall and requesting them to schedule an appointment with an authorized BMW center to have the remedy performed.  Owners can locate their nearest authorized BMW center at www.bmwusa.com/dealer.  To ensure BMW has the most recent contact and vehicle information, owners should register their vehicle at www.bmwusa.com/myBMW.  Registration is free and will give them access to factory-initiated campaigns and other information specific to their BMW.

 

Q8. How will my vehicle be repaired?

The steering system will be inspected and, if necessary, repaired for free and may take several hours.

 

Q9. Do I have to wait for my letter to have my vehicle serviced?

Yes.  BMW is in the process of ensuring that the necessary tools, parts, and procedures are available prior to contacting you to schedule an appointment with your authorized BMW center to have this important Safety Recall performed.  For the latest updates to this Safety Recall, please visit www.bmwusa.com/recall.

 

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3 Affected Products

Vehicles

 

 

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8 Associated Documents

Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-2

RCLQRT-21V031-1931.PDF 211.217KB

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V031-8703.pdf 641.904KB

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V031-3876.pdf 737.299KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V031-3391.PDF 216.7KB

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc) – Broadcast Notification re BMW Recall 21V-xxx: Steering Spindle

RCMN-21V031-0881.pdf 138.305KB

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Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V031-5352.pdf 645.002KB

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V031-1409.PDF 216.7KB

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-1

RCLQRT-21V031-8592.PDF 211.119KB

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V031&docType=RCL

 

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