I have a 2017 Rex 15000 miles been a fantastic car til this morning when steering decided to become unassisted and no self centre position . This seems like a common issue but for some reason no one has found a remedy for it? which is kind of weird. Went back on after power off and and on
BMW want me to take car to dealer to tell me that Computer says no!!
Would prefer if someone has a remedied this issue, so I can at least tell dealer where to look.
Any thoughts most welcome.
Regards
Jiggergee
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
This happened to me as well. My dealership said they are working on a software fix and I will be notified.
2015 REX / Participating on plugshare w/level 2 Clipper Creek 32 amp, Moclips, Washington coast
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
Same issue with my 2019 i3 - turning to the right with no issues but turning to the left became sluggish and hard to turn. Got home, turned off the car. Started back up about an hour later and all was working OK. It's at the dealer now for a check-up.
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
Same issue this morning with my 2019 i3s. No message on board... All was ok after a restart... 
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
Picked up car today. Dealer installed 2 Service Bulletin software updates and all is working OK for now. Service tech drove car to his home and back (33 miles) with no issues. According to service tech BMW does not advise customers of Service Bulletin items - they just wait for the vehicle to come in for maintenance. I told the service manager that BMW needs to notify customers since the electric cars DO NOT have regular service intervals - and he agreed - he is going to bring up the issue with BMWNA.
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jadnashuanh
- Posts: 5192
- Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 2:07 pm
- Location: Nashua, NH USA
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
There are some software updates that BMW calls every vehicle in to then apply. But, the normal sequence is, don't do anything unless the customer complains. Note, with all of the combinations of options and running changes, what affects one vehicle may not affect another that might have had the same options, but different rev numbers on them, so the decision doesn't end up being universal.
When an update is applied, it's not a generic change, the specific VIN is input, and the servers in Germany generate a unique software update to account for the specific modules installed in that vehicle. This may be one reason why they don't do over the air updates...each car may require a unique software build. Nav database updates, might be the exception.
When an update is applied, it's not a generic change, the specific VIN is input, and the servers in Germany generate a unique software update to account for the specific modules installed in that vehicle. This may be one reason why they don't do over the air updates...each car may require a unique software build. Nav database updates, might be the exception.
Jim DeBruycker
2014 i3 BEV, 2021 X5 45e
(The i3 will be sold soon, <17K-miles, interested?)
2014 i3 BEV, 2021 X5 45e
(The i3 will be sold soon, <17K-miles, interested?)
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
I posted elsewhere but seems more relevant here:
I had the same problem where the car suddenly pulled to the right at about 45 mph. At first I thought it was a flat tire but when I pulled over turning it off and on again when I inspected the tire seemed to correct the problem. I took the car to the dealer the next day and they couldn't replicate. My dealer service notes state: "...brought down the high voltage system. Performed a complete vehicle software update". This was about a year ago and I haven't had any problems since.
If you're getting noises when turning the steering wheel check https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/ ... 6-9999.pdf. This seems to happen every year when it starts to get cold. The dealer notes state "SI B32 03 15 related. Lubricated the plastic bearing in the spindle gator per SI B".
I had the same problem where the car suddenly pulled to the right at about 45 mph. At first I thought it was a flat tire but when I pulled over turning it off and on again when I inspected the tire seemed to correct the problem. I took the car to the dealer the next day and they couldn't replicate. My dealer service notes state: "...brought down the high voltage system. Performed a complete vehicle software update". This was about a year ago and I haven't had any problems since.
If you're getting noises when turning the steering wheel check https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/ ... 6-9999.pdf. This seems to happen every year when it starts to get cold. The dealer notes state "SI B32 03 15 related. Lubricated the plastic bearing in the spindle gator per SI B".
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
You have to pay to access BMW Technical Information System, but you can read the complaints and manufacturer communications on the NHTSA website.
Visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Select 'Vehicle' and enter year make model
Select complaints or manufacturer communication
Here is the communication titled "SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE" from 10/30/2019:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/ ... 5-9999.pdf
Visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
Select 'Vehicle' and enter year make model
Select complaints or manufacturer communication
Here is the communication titled "SPORADIC REDUCTION OF STEERING ASSISTANCE" from 10/30/2019:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/ ... 5-9999.pdf
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jarnolahtinen
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2020 10:16 pm
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
Hi everyone! This is my first post on this forum. I had this problem today on my way work. Steering wheel was hard to turn and it never returned to center. I will see if it's fixed when I'm heading back to home. 
Re: steering Wheel became Hard to turn
Steering effort abnormalities a known software issue for a long time, finally corrected by BMW TSB #B321119 late last year. The TSB was not publicized, you have to complain to a dealer to get them to load the latest operating system software under warranty. We have an 2018 I3S that had steering problems for a year, the TSB procedure fixed the glitches and improved the steering feel overall.