Vehicle recall R/2012/081

BMW 3 Series and others recall: EPS may not perform as specified

DVSA recall R/2012/081 names the BMW 3 Series, BMW Z4, BMW 1 Series and BMW X1. It was launched 30 July 2012. It covers vehicles built 1 February 2007 to 31 March 2012.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2012/081
Launched: 30 July 2012
Issued by: BMW
Manufacturer reference: 0032090200
Vehicles: DVSA lists 701 on each model line

What can go wrong

Due to a component in the integrated control module not being to specification it is possible power steering assistance may fail. If this happens the EPS warning lamp will illuminate and a check control message will appear on the dashboard display. Directional control will be maintained albeit with additional driver input.

The fix

Recall vehicles likely to be affected to replace the steering box.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA lists the same vehicle number on each line: 701. It may be a figure per line or for the whole recall.
Model	Built	Vehicles
BMW 1 Series	not recorded	701
BMW 1 Series	1 June 2007 to 31 December 2011	701
BMW 3 Series	not recorded	701
BMW 3 Series	1 February 2007 to 31 December 2011	701
BMW X1	1 November 2011 to 31 March 2012	701
BMW Z4	1 November 2011 to 31 December 2011	701

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/2012/149 Rear window may detach 11 December 2012, BMW 3 Series
R/2013/024 Engine may cut out 4 April 2013, BMW 1 Series, BMW Z4, BMW X1 and others
R/2011/123 Risk of fire 5 October 2011, BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X3 and others
R/2013/080 Loss of drive 5 July 2013, BMW Z4, BMW X1, BMW 1 Series and others
R/2013/071 Passenger side airbag may fail to deploy correctly 26 July 2013, BMW 3 Series
R/2013/095 Possibility of fire 10 September 2013, BMW X3, BMW 5 Series, BMW X5 and others

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