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SteeringPart report

2016 BMW I3 Steering Problems

Complaints
8about this part
Share
24%of 33 total for the year
Median mileage
30,700miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the steering of the 2016 BMW I3, 24% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,700 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Every 3 to 21 days, my steering pulls hard to the left. This occurs on flat roads on dry pavement. I have to pull the steering wheel hard to the right to keep the vehicle going straight at city driving speeds (0-35 MPH). On one occasion this occurred while on the freeway driving at 70 MPH. Tire pressures are all within spec and tires are in great shape. After stopping and restarting the car, it sometimes will go away. In looking at the Bmw recalls and technical notes, they have no solution to this problem and call it a software issue. This has happened to me at least 6 times.”

NHTSA complaint #11361132, filed 2020-09, 33,400 miles

“While driving on the road speed about 40-50 MPH, steering wheel suddenly became stiff and very hard to turn. The wheel does not want to center. It happened randomly and can't be reproduce easily. It happened 3 times in the past w months. I feel it very dangerous when this happened while on the road. It fixed itself the next morning.”

NHTSA complaint #11243170, filed 2019-08, 16,500 miles

“While driving straight on a two-lane paved city street at about 30 MPH the steering became heavy and pulled strongly to the left. Clear weather, moderate temperatures. I stopped the car after a half mile or so, shut it off completely then restarted it. The problem was gone. It has not yet reappeared. Tire pressures were on the low side of normal. None were abnormally low and the tires were in good shape. Cause is unknown. Dealer had no idea what happened.”

NHTSA complaint #11265243, filed 2019-09, 21,000 miles

“Power steering failure while in motion - operating the vehicle on public roadway - making it difficult and dangerous to navigate a turn. No warning lights appeared.”

NHTSA complaint #11404544, filed 2021-03, 50,600 miles

“The steering becomes heavy intermittently. Sometimes like there is no steering assist. Also wheel does not come back to center after turns. Typically on colder days and driving at slow speed.”

NHTSA complaint #11289932, filed 2019-12, 28,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019431%
2018321%
20171121%
2016824%
20151532%
2014713%

Other parts of the 2016 BMW I3

Body and structure
10 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 BMW I3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology