BMW's two electric sedans are pushed back over breakable steering wheels, requiring more effort to turn the wheel.
The restoration includes 202 BMW i5 sedans model years 2024 and 2025 and 21 BMW i7 sedans, all 2024 models, and non-electric versions of both. The recalled vehicles may have been manufactured with specifications that “may not have been appropriate for the operating system,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
2024 BMW i7 M70
In some cases, the turning socket of the universal double rotary joint can break, resulting in an unexpected result. increase in effort to direct necessary to steer the vehicle properly, according to NHTSA. When this happens, drivers may notice a noise from the steering column, as well as a “change in steering behavior,” notes the documentation.
A sudden increase in the maneuvering effort required can make it difficult avoid crashingbut BMW told NHTSA that it is not aware of any crashes or injuries related to the issue, and is not aware of any related warranty claims or customer complaints. The car manufacturing company said it first became aware of the problem when it noticed the damaged steering wheels.
2025 BMW i5
Dealers will replace affected universal joints, free of charge. BMW plans to send notification letters to owners November 15. Owners can also contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 for more information.
The i5 and i7 are all-electric versions of BMW's 5-Series and 7-Series sedans, respectively, which share body shells and many non-powertrain components with their combustion engine counterparts. This reflects BMW's latest strategy to focus on electric versions of its existing models, with the automaker moving away from its upcoming Neue Klasse EVs, which will be based on dedicated architecture.