BMW 3 Series Recall R/1997/005: Corrosion On Lower Steering Shaft, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 27 May 1997
- Launched
- 80,000
- vehicles in the UK
- R/1997/005
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 3 Series vehicles built between 1 February 1991 and 31 December 1994. Instances of corrosion on the corrugated section of the lower steering shaft have occurred. The recall notice describes the fix as: all vehicles fitted with corrugated type lower steering shafts will have them replaced with quality assured examples. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Instances of corrosion on the corrugated section of the lower steering shaft have occurred. This could lead to eventual weakening of the shaft.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: CORROSION ON LOWER STEERING SHAFT Defect: Instances of corrosion on the corrugated section of the lower steering shaft have occurred. This could lead to eventual weakening of the shaft. Remedy: All vehicles fitted with corrugated type lower steering shafts will have them replaced with quality assured examples.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
If the fault occurs, the recall notice says it could lead to eventual weakening of the shaft.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: all vehicles fitted with corrugated type lower steering shafts will have them replaced with quality assured examples.
Are You Affected?
3 Series built between 1 February 1991 and 31 December 1994 may be included. BMW estimates 80,000 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with BMW, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with BMW.
- Book with any franchised BMW dealer, quoting the DVSA reference R/1997/005. See how to get a BMW recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
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| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 2 Series and 22 moreTakata driver and/or passenger airbag recall (Global VINs) | Urgent | R/2025/349 | |
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| 3 SeriesReplace the front passenger airbag takata PSPI | Urgent | R/2025/323 |
This is one of 275 BMW recalls in DVSA’s data. The BMW recall launched before it was R/1996/037 on 23 Feb 1996, for security of stub axle mountings. The one launched after it was R/1999/047 on 25 May 1999, for possible unscheduled deployment of side airbags and activation of battery isolator switch. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 1997 and steering recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/1997/005, launched 27 May 1997. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.