Vehicle recall R/1997/005

BMW 3 Series recall: Corrosion on lower steering shaft

DVSA recall R/1997/005 names the BMW 3 Series. It was launched 27 May 1997. It covers vehicles built 1 February 1991 to 31 December 1994.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/1997/005
Launched: 27 May 1997
Issued by: BMW
Vehicles: 80,000 across the lines below

What can go wrong

Instances of corrosion on the corrugated section of the lower steering shaft have occurred. This could lead to eventual weakening of the shaft.

The fix

All vehicles fitted with corrugated type lower steering shafts will have them replaced with quality assured examples.

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	1 February 1991 to 31 December 1994	80,000

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/1996/037 Security of stub axle mountings 23 February 1996, 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/1995/030 Possible damage to wheel bearings 7 April 1995, 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/2000/135 Lower steering shaft may fail 26 February 2001, BMW 3 Series
R/2001/146 Tyres may have cuts in side walls. 9 November 2001, BMW 5 Series, 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.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources