The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. DURING ASSEMBLY OF THESE VEHICLES, THE LOWER END OF THE SPINDLE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSERTED COMPLETELY INTO THE COUPLING. IN SUCH A CASE, THE FASTENING BOLT USED TO SECURE THE CONNECTION MAY NOT COMPLETELY ENGAGE THE SPINDLE WITHIN THE COUPLING. DURING DRIVING, IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE SPINDLE TO DISCONNECT.
The risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING CAPABILITY AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SPINDLE TO ENSURE PROPER INSERTION IN THE COUPLING, AND, IF NECESSARY, THE SPINDLE WILL BE FULLY INSERTED AND THE FASTENING BOLT REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 6, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW X5 | 2001 |
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X5 | 2001 | 160 | 12 |
Other steering recalls in 2001
48 of the 461 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2001 concerned the steering; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE filed 145 campaigns in all.
| 01V389000 21 Dec 2001 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 01V140008 19 Dec 2001 | MOTOR COACH IND., INC. |
| 01V379000 13 Dec 2001 | EQUIPEMENT LABRIE LTEE |
| 01V353000 15 Nov 2001 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
| 01V343000 7 Nov 2001 | GLOBAL ELECTRIC MOTORCARS, LLC |
| 01V313000 4 Oct 2001 | DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 01V314000 3 Oct 2001 | SAAB CARS USA, INC. |
| 01V304000 25 Sept 2001 | PREVOST CAR, INCORPORATED |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2001