Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2023 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2022 | 5 | 7% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 3% | — |
| 2019 | 18 | 9% | 1,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 3% | 22,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2016 | 3 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2012 | 23 | 8% | 63,000 miles |
| 2011 | 18 | 6% | 63,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 8% | 61,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 4% | 101,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% | 112,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% | 193,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% | 51,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% | 70,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 6% | 132,000 miles |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% | 114,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 3% | 95,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Multiple issues with the software. 1. Since yesterday, [redacted] car failed to start with the message "software upgrade failed". Sitting like a brick now - engine doesn't start and can't get the car off parking mode. 2, Last week, the remote functions of the software as well as emergency call system stopped working. Called the local dealer BMW of North Canton on June 25, Ohio to check and fix and they scheduled it for Monday June 30. But car refused to start per point 1. 1. Couple of times got the message while driving that driver inability to drive detected and suddenly slowing down the car and veering it to a side. Transient actions. Took it to the dealership, supposedly a software bug was fixed but then the message flashed one more time recently.
The Integrated Brake System and Dynamic Safety Control both malfunctioned, not turning on. The car is totaled, so I don't think anything is available for inspection. There was water on the highway, and the car ended up going off the road into the grass and rolled over a few times before landing at the bottom of the ditch 100ft away. The car was not inspected because I was not aware of the major recall until I started looking into it. There was a snapshot of the DTC codes two weeks before the incident and there were codes specifically for the IB system as noted in the recall. There may have been one or two times throughout driving the car beforehand that a error light popped up, but then it disappeared almost immediately after.
A car from the other side made an illegal left turn in front of me, and I braked very early, yet still slid into them. The car had been inspected at the time at the collision center, and had DTC codes from before repair and after repair, showing the Integrated Brake systems had failures before and after. There was no mention of the results of the inspection until I asked after another braking incident occurred two weeks later. There were moments where a light would pop up for a second, then disappear. It may have happened only once.
I put my car in reverse this evening and the screen kept clicking and unclick the back up assistance button. The steering wheel was moving on its own. I was not controlling it. The brakes were hard and I could not press down more than 1/5-1/4 of the way. The car was not in my control. After an hour on the phone with support and reporting the issues they advised they would tow it. I was able to put the car in reverse push a button off that was selecting without being pressed manually near the driving shifter to get the car to drive normally. At home the same issues continued when I tried to put it in reverse. Even when shifting to drive these problems persisted until I pressed actual tangible buttons in the car to try and move it out of that mode. I am not able to back the car up properly. …
High pitched squeaking noise when steering (at~800 mi) -> Inconsistent resistance (at~1,200 mi) -> Delayed Steering (at~1,600 mi). A high-pitched squeaking noise happens in steering every time driving over 15 minutes. I took it to the dealer for repair at ~1,000mi on 9/29/2022 and 10/4/2022. They confirmed the problem and recorded the noise. They said they couldn't fix the problem after some attempts. They promised the X5 is safe to drive while waiting for the parts. But the steering starts to show inconsistent resistance. On 11/9, I called the dealer, and they said BMW hasn't sent them the parts. I talked to BMW NA customer satisfaction for help. The representative said she will escalate the case, but nobody ever contacted me until I contacted them again on 1/2/2023. Then the representative told me to wait 20-25 days for their administrative review. …
Steering the vehicle in a low gear causes the vehicle to tremble or shudder. The dealership identified the problem to be the transfer case fluid. In manufacturing, BMW put a fluid which did not meet the specifications of the vehicle. The transfer case fluid is documented in the manual of BMW X5 M50i (2021) to be something which does not require replacement in the lifetime of the vehicle. I raised this issue when the vehicle was under warranty, but the dealership ignored the issue. After the warranty period was over (62,000 miles), the dealer recommended that I replace the fluid to fix the shudder issue. It is a very well known issue, and there is a service bulletin issued to the dealerships to deal with this particular case (SIB 27 02 20). After the fluid replacement, the issue went away. This issue is widely known by the dealership, and it is a safety issue. …
My vehicle only has 28,000 miles on it has a very loud rattling noise in the front end. My mechanic said the steering linkage is loose and the steering assembly is leaking. I see there are other similar recalls for this vehicle but my specific VIN isn't coming up under those recalls.
squeaking and grinding in steering column, overheated steering column to the touch. Took to local BMW and was informed it was an issue with steering rack (after two visits there) and part has to be ordered and replaced.
Related recalls (8)
Steering › Column
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…
Steering › Column
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied.
Steering › Rack and pinion › Rack
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Steering
BMW is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and 2013 x5 and x6 vehicles. Due to a machining error of the steering gear surface, power steering fluid May leak.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering gear free of charge. The safety recall began on July 20, 2012.
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to an assembly error during vehicle production, any of the three bolts that secure the pulley to the pump May have been inadequately tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering pump pulley to see if it is loose. If the pulley is not loose on the pump, the retaining bolts will be torqued to specification.
Show 3 more recalls
Steering › Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During assembly of these vehicles, the lower end of the spindle May not have been inserted completely into the coupling. In such a case, the fastening bolt used to secure the connection May not completely engage the spindle within the coupling.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the spindle to ensure proper insertion in the coupling, and, if necessary, the spindle will be fully inserted and the fastening bolt replaced. Owner notification began February 6, 2001.
Steering › Linkages › Rod › Relay › Connecting
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The nut that secures the axial joint of the left steering tie rod to the steering gear box May have not have been tightened securely. This could lead to loosening of the nut and, initially to steering wheel play and/or misalignment, as well as noise from the steering linkage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and re-torque the nut securing the axial joint of the left steering tie rod. If the torque of the nut is found to be loose, the right nut will also be checked and corrected if necessary, and a front…
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The lower steering shaft coupling includes a plastic collar which fits over the lower steering rack input shaft. This collar is pushed down onto the steering rack and tightened during assembly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering rack input shaft collar for proper positioning, and reposition is necessary.
NHTSA investigations
Idler Pulley Bolt Failure
In a May 23, 2018 letter, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in the loss of power steering assist in certain model year (MY) 2009 through 2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d vehicles (Recall 18V-336).
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW X5 years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (23), 2011 (18), 2019 (18), 2001 (11) and 2010 (11) model years. Steering complaints make up 8% of all complaints for the 2012.
Is there a recall for BMW X5 steering problems?
Yes — 8 recalls, including 21V-031 (column, Jan 29, 2021); 20V-434 (column, Jul 28, 2020); 19V-631 (rack, Aug 28, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do BMW X5 steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (3 mentions), followed by the linkages › knuckle › spindle › arm (2).
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.