Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 BMW X3 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the "Steering Response Affected!" and "Chassis Stabilization" messages displayed and the steering wheel seized. The contact used physical strength to steer the vehicle and veered to the side road. The contact stated upon turning off and restarting the vehicle, the warning messages disappeared. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. However, the failure reoccurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V341000 (Steering). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a loss of power steering assist. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V341000 (Steering) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
Electronic power control issue caused the vehicle to loose power steering. After starting and driving the vehicle an alert message showed up saying chassis malfunction and power steering issues. Vehicle was stopped and re-started but the issue didn't go away. BMW confirmed there was a malfunction with the EPS similar to the NHTSA bulletin 11V341000. Vehicle was manufactured during the period the recall covers and experience the same issues. BMW advised to contact NHTSA to have the VIN added to the recall so they can complete the repair, as otherwise it will not be covered.
Electric Power Steering Failure. Available for inspection. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Confirmed by BMW Dealer. Increased steering effort light came on when EPS fails. A CONTROL MODULE IN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) UNIT MAY MALFUNCTION, RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right intermittently and the check engine and chassis malfunction warning indicator illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the engine, and the vehicle returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (BMW of north haven (located at 610 washington ave, north haven, ct 06473; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the battery and the zgm module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several other times. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer two other times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another dealer (european car - Bosch car service located at 274 albany turnpike, canton, ct 06019; [phone]). …
After the engine was turned on, the vehicle's steering wheel was locked with an warning message of "chassis stability/steering. Chassis stability malfunction. Traction reduced. A change in steering behavior or steering wheel angle is possible. Continued driving is possible. Drive moderately. Have the system checked by the nearest BMW center." restarted the car multiple times at which point, the steering system felt fine again. After driving it for less than 10 miles on city streets, the vehicle's power steering stopped working in the midst of driving on the road. The car was extremely difficult to steer and had to come to a stop on a busy road. Tried restarting the car multiple time but kept getting the error message "steering response affected! Drive moderately. Have the system checked by the nearest BMW center." it had to be towed on a flatbed to a shop at this point. …
While coming to a stop the car jerks violently forward with no warning, while moving slow it does the same, to the point where it now hurts to drive it. I get an error that says transmission malfunction, and without warning the car shifts to a lower gear, I have to stop, then turn the car off, when it is turned back the error goes away, then it reappears once again a day or two later. While driving, the steering wheel does not correct in time, and it slides on turns for a second, then over corrects, I have brought it in to BMW dealership, they have replicated the issue, but do not want to cover it under warranty, this has happened at highway speeds as well which is very scary, I am not sure where to turn at this point, so I hope that the NHTSA does an investigation, as I've seen other users have the same issues, and it just one death away from a recall, thank you.
While driving, the steering failed suddenly where I was unable to steer. It became locked. It said I had a chassis stabilization malfunction. The steering wheel also appeared. I pulled over and turned the car off. After a few minutes the system reset and I was able to drive again. It became very frequent where it was difficult to drive. This has happened driving on local streets and on a highway. When I brought it into the repair shop, I was told that the steering module and steering rack was malfunctioning. They said that bmwna did not have a recall or fix on this issue. My repair shop said I would need to pay the thousands of dollars to have it repaired. I have read that many others are having this same problem. I have had this code cleared from the repair shop a number of times now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 BMW X3. While attempting to make a u turn, the steering wheel seized. In addition, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (BMW of las vegas, 6900 w sahara ave, las vegas, nv) for diagnostic testing, but the cause of the failure was unable to be determined. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in any recalls pertaining to the failure. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact of NHTSA campaign number: 11V341000 (steering), but the VIN was excluded. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Steering is "sticky" when trying to move from the center position in my 2011 BMW X3 35i-- during highway driving when the steering wheel is used to keep the vehicle in the current lane of travel, higher than normal resistance to turning is felt. Once the initial resistance is overcome, the resistance lessens, resulting in a tendency to turn the wheel further than was intended. This makes it difficult to keep the car centered in my lane and results in the car jerking from side to side which makes it dangerous and stressful. Tires and alignment are all very good and wearing correctly.
Related recalls
Steering › Electric power assist system
BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 x3 passenger vehicles manufactured from April 27, 2011, through June 8, 2011. A control module in the electric power steering (EPS) unit May malfunction, resulting in a sudden loss of power steering assistance.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during August 2011. Owners May contact BMW customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
Steering complaints in other X3 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 BMW X3?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the steering of the 2011 BMW X3, 19% of the model year's 126 complaints. The component named most often is electric power assist system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 BMW X3 steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 11V-341 (electric power assist system, Jun 29, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 BMW X3 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.