There are 4 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2016 BMW 3 Seriesin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
Received recall notice 5 months ago from BMW. Why is it taking so long for them to address this issue?
The steering rack in the car failed prior to 100,000 miles. BMW has had issues from models 2012 to 2015 and recalled their steering racks. The same issue was happening in the 2016 year.
VEHICLE HAS UNDER 30,000 MILES AND REQUIRES A NEW POWER STEERING MODULE WHICH INCLUDES THE RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY, NEW COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THE FACTORY INSTALLED POWER STEERING ASSEMBLY MODULE IS TURNING OFF AND BACK ON; WHEN OFF THERE IS NO POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE MAKE IF VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER THE CAR ESPECIALLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS. WHEN THE POWER STEERING COMES BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE IS AT SPEED IT CREATES A VERY SENSITIVE STEERING WHEEL WHICH CAUSES DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE VEHICLE. WHEN MAKING A SHARP TURN LIKE WHEN TURNING ONTO ANOTHER STREET AND THE POWER STEERING IS OUT THE DRIVER HAS TO "MUSCLE" THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE THE TURN; IF DURING THAT TURN THE POWER STEERING ASSIST RETURNS THIS CAUSES THE DRIVER TO OVER STEER THE CAR EITHER INTO TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROAD. AS OF 10/07/2020 THE POWER STEERING ASSIST IS COMPLETELY OUT AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A HIT AND RUN VEHICLE AND RESULTING IN THE ACCIDENT, MY STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF IN THE PROCESS HITTING ME IN MY PELVIC AREA AND NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE URINATING AND I HAVE BLEEDING. THE AIR BAGS ALSO BURNED THROUGH MY CLOTHES AND ONTO MY SKIN. I SUFFERED FIRST DEGREE BURNS TO MY ARM, STOMACH AND THIGH.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026