Vehicle recall R/1996/037

BMW 3 Series recall: Security of stub axle mountings

DVSA recall R/1996/037 names the BMW 3 Series. It was launched 23 February 1996. It covers vehicles built 8 January 1996 to 30 January 1996.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/1996/037
Launched: 23 February 1996
Issued by: BMW
Vehicles: 1,600 across the lines below

What can go wrong

The three bolts which secure the stub axle to the spring strut may not have been fully torqued on initial assembly.

The fix

Recall the affected vehicles and check the torque setting on the bolts involved retorqueing as required. Any bolts found to have been loose (as distinct from being insufficiently torqued) will be replaced.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. Vehicle numbers are DVSA figures for each line.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW 3 Series	8 January 1996 to 30 January 1996	1,600

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/1995/030 Possible damage to wheel bearings 7 April 1995, BMW 3 Series
R/1997/005 Corrosion on lower steering shaft 27 May 1997, BMW 3 Series
R/1999/047 Possible unscheduled deployment of side airbags and activation of battery isolator switch 25 May 1999, BMW 3 Series
R/1999/104 Brake lights may fail to operate remain on or flicker 15 December 1999, BMW 5 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW 7 Series
R/1992/013 Possible chafing of the battery cable 28 February 1992, BMW 3 Series
R/2000/135 Lower steering shaft may fail 26 February 2001, BMW 3 Series

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

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