BMW 3 Series Recall R/2000/135: Lower Steering Shaft May Fail, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 26 Feb 2001
- Launched
- 285,722
- vehicles in the UK
- R/2000/135
- DVSA reference
BMW recalled 3 Series vehicles built between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1998. Due to the long term effects of corrosion the above vehicles are being recalled. The recall notice describes the fix as: dEFECT (cont.) If the component is safe the car will not be repaired at this stage but will be recalled at a later date as originally planned. REMEDY Recall affected vehicles and fit modified lower steering shaft. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Due to the long term effects of corrosion the above vehicles are being recalled. The corrosion is an age related problem and this recall action will target the oldest cars first in groups of 15000 to 20000. It is believed that as long as the vehicle has a current MOT and is serviced correctly any possible corrosion problems with the shaft will be highlighted as a matter of course. If customers are concerned they can visit any BMW dealer to have the shaft checked.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: LOWER STEERING SHAFT MAY FAIL Defect: Due to the long term effects of corrosion the above vehicles are being recalled. The corrosion is an age related problem and this recall action will target the oldest cars first in groups of 15000 to 20000. It is believed that as long as the vehicle has a current MOT and is serviced correctly any possible corrosion problems with the shaft will be highlighted as a matter of course. If customers are concerned they can visit any BMW dealer to have the shaft checked. Remedy: DEFECT (cont.) If the component is safe the car will not be repaired at this stage but will be recalled at a later date as originally planned. REMEDY Recall affected vehicles and fit modified lower steering shaft.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: lower steering shaft may fail.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: dEFECT (cont.) If the component is safe the car will not be repaired at this stage but will be recalled at a later date as originally planned. REMEDY Recall affected vehicles and fit modified lower steering shaft.
Are You Affected?
3 Series built between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1998 may be included. BMW estimates 285,722 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/2000/135. 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
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Series, 3 Series, 3 Series Touring, 4 Series and 7 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2026/054 | |
| 1 Series, 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series and 3 moreReplace the driver’s airbag: takata PSDI-5 | Urgent | R/2025/327 | |
| 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 | |
| 1 Series 3 Door Hatch, 1 Series 5 Door Hatch, 3 Series, 3 Series PHEV and 14 moreReplace the engine starter motor | Urgent | R/2025/405 | |
| 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/1999/104 on 15 Dec 1999, for brake lights may fail to operate remain on or flicker. The one launched after it was R/2001/146 on 9 Nov 2001, for tyres may have cuts in side walls. You can also see every BMW recall, all recalls launched in 2001 and steering recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2000/135, launched 26 February 2001. 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.