Power steering BMW: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the BMW models it appears in.

- High severityFrequency: CommonBMW Serie 1 F20Electric power steering (EPS) and steering rack failureIt is a known fault: gebrauchtwagenberater.de says that electric power steering (EPS) problems are 'not rare' on the F20, and fiches-auto.fr collects owner reports of lost assistance (a worn cable) and steering rack replacement at around 110,000 km, plus a 2016 recall for a soldering defect in the control unit.
- High severityFrequency: CommonBMW Serie 3 E90Steering rack and power steering pump failureIt is one of the faults owners cite most: fiches-auto.fr describes failures of the steering rack (sometimes locked) and of the power steering pump, mainly on the 318i and 320d, with steering columns replaced for €800-1,200 or a reprogramming for around €200-250 in France.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 1 E87Electric power steering (EPS) control unit failure with loss of assistanceBMW recalled 1 Series E87 units with electric power steering (EPS): a fault in the control electronics can cause a sudden loss of steering assistance, according to a campaign by the German KBA reported by gebrauchtwagenberater.de.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X3 G45Steering sensor that can cause unintended steering movement (2026 recall)In February 2026 BMW recalled 105,124 X3s worldwide, built between 20 June 2023 and 27 November 2025, because the steering system sensor may malfunction and cause unwanted steering movement of the vehicle, with a risk of accident and injury.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW Serie 3 F30Electrical fault affecting the power steeringYes: in October 2016 BMW recalled 3 Series F30 cars over an electrical fault that could affect the steering assistance. The British press also describes separate rack motor failures across the whole generation.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBMW X5 F15X5 F15 power steering control unit: recall for fire risk and loss of assistanceAccording to the owner reports collected by fiches-auto.fr (56 for the 2013-2018 X5), a December 2016 recall of the power steering electronic control unit is cited, with a risk of electrical fire and loss of assistance. The campaign is recorded only by the listing; we have not been able to cross-check it.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW X1 E84Loss of electric power steering assistance on the BMW X1 E84According to the KBA, as cited by Gebrauchtwagenberater.de, a fault in the electronics of the electric power steering can leave the car without assistance; it affects X1s built up to and including 2012.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW X3 F25Power steering control unit: fire risk and loss of assistance (2011-2016 production)Yes: BMW recalled cars built between 2011 and 2016, including the X3, because the electric power steering control unit could be faulty, with a risk of fire even when parked and of losing assistance while driving.
- Critical severityFrequency: RareBMW X5 E70Power steering control unit: loss of assistance and fire risk (X5 E70 from 2011-2013)Yes: Gebrauchtwagenberater.de reports a power steering assistance fault on X5 E70s built in April-May 2012, and a European alert also covers BMW's electric power steering control unit from 2011 to 2016, with a fire risk.
- High severityFrequency: RareBMW X6 E71Wear of the steering rack and power steering pump on the X6 E71According to fiches-auto.fr, the X6 E71's power steering appears in 2 mentions: heavy steering and play in the steering rack. One testimony cites €3,700 for replacing the rack at 110,000 km, and fatigue of the electric pump is mentioned.Appears at around 110,000 km

By BMW model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Frequently asked questions

What faults with the power steering do BMW cars have?

In 10 models from BMW there are 10 documented faults with the power steering. The most important: electric power steering (EPS) and steering rack failure, steering rack and power steering pump failure and electric power steering (EPS) control unit failure with loss of assistance. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which BMW models have the most problems with the power steering?

BMW Serie 1 E87 (1 fault), BMW Serie 3 E90 (1 fault), BMW X5 E70 (1 fault) and BMW X6 E71 (1 fault).