2022-2023 BMW iX Steering Gear Replacement Service Action

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2022-2023 BMW iX vehicles may observe specific warning messages and changes in steering feel. When starting the vehicle, a Check Control message will appear on the instrument cluster stating: "Steering behavior. Drive slowly and have this checked by the nearest Service Provider". This warning is accompanied by a noticeable reduction in power steering support, particularly during maneuvering.

Cause

The root cause of the reduced power steering and warning message in the affected BMW iX models is a faulty capacitor. This capacitor is an internal component of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) gear assembly. A malfunction in this capacitor compromises the proper function of the power steering system.

Important Warnings for High-Voltage Systems

This service action involves working with high-voltage (HV) systems, which requires specialized training and precautions. BMW emphasizes that only properly trained personnel who have passed all applicable HV Technical Training Courses should perform repairs that involve disconnecting or removing High Voltage battery components on any Hybrid or Electric Vehicle. Performing work on High Voltage systems by unqualified individuals can lead to severe injury or damage to the vehicle. Additional safety information is detailed in Repair Instruction 61 00..., specifically regarding safety instructions for handling electric vehicles.

Prior to disconnecting or removing any HV component, the HV system must be disabled and secured. This is typically done using the HV Service Disconnect Switch and a lockout procedure by a properly trained HV technician. This technician must hold a minimum HV Qualification level, achieved after completing the Technical Training Course "ST2324 High Voltage Drivetrain Systems" (which, as of January 2023, includes ST1824 Alternative Drive Part 1). For Generation 5 vehicles, specific training like "ST2205 Generation 5 High-voltage class" or its equivalent "ST2325 for High Voltage Battery Systems" is required for diagnosing, removing, and servicing HV components.

Repair Procedure Summary

The recommended correction for this issue is a BMW iX steering gear replacement. The procedure involves replacing the Electric Power Steering (EPS) gear, as detailed in BMW's internal repair instruction REP32 13 572, titled "Replace electrical steering box." Following the physical replacement, the vehicle requires programming and encoding of the control units to ensure proper functionality. This also includes performing a vehicle test (labor operation 00 00 556/61 21 528).

Associated work procedures included in this service action are the commissioning and initialization of the new electromechanical steering gear. Additionally, a wheel alignment with ride height measurement and toe-in adjustment for the front axle must be performed to ensure correct steering geometry after the replacement.

Required Parts

To perform the BMW iX steering gear replacement, the following parts are required:

• 32 10 5 B35 7F4: Steering gear, electric EPS (Quantity: 1)
• 07 11 9 905 400: Hexagon bolt with washer (M6x25-ZNNIV SI) (Quantity: 1)
• 07 14 6 898 283: Hex bolt (12x1.5x70 ZNS3) (Quantity: 4)
• 32 30 6 778 609: Torx bolt (M8X33) (Quantity: 1)
• 31 30 6 865 951: Torx screw with collar (M12x1.75x50) (Quantity: 4)
• 32 13 6 751 292: Hose clamp (D= 67.8 – 71.0) (Quantity: 2)
• 33 30 6 787 062: Combination nut (M14x1,5-10ZNNIV) (Quantity: 2)
• 31 11 6 899 302: Multi-purpose bolt (10x45 ZNS3) (Quantity: 14)
• 61 27 9 487 465: Screw (12X1.5X100 10.9) (Quantity: 4)
• 37 10 6 789 678: Hex nut with flange (M12x1.5-10-ZNS3) (Quantity: 2)
• 83 23 8 849 305: Grease FB-1 (100 gr / 3.53 oz) (Quantity: Shop supply)

Claim Information

Reimbursement for this service action is handled via normal claim entry using Repair Code 0032540300 for "i20 Replace steering gear". Various labor operation codes are available depending on whether the repair is performed before vehicle delivery or if other programming/encoding was done concurrently. Examples include 00 75 895, 00 75 897, 00 75 304, and 00 75 305. This service action also qualifies for Alternative Mobility Solution (AMS) expense reimbursement. For additional information regarding programming and encoding, refer to SI B01 29 16, SI B01 01 20, or B01 07 20.

Owner Action

If you own a 2022-2023 BMW iX and experience the "Steering behavior. Drive slowly and have this checked by the nearest Service Provider" message or reduced power steering, you should contact your authorized BMW dealer. This is a service action, and your dealer will check if your vehicle is affected. Vehicles requiring this campaign will show as "Open" in BMW's systems. The necessary BMW iX steering gear replacement will be performed free of charge under this service action.

NHTSA ID: 10252132