The defect
THE TWO PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY DISCONNECT IF THE CAR CONTACTS AN OBJECT IN THE ROADWAY OR ELSEWHERE OF SUFFICIENT MASS TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING GEARBOX. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST.
The remedy
BOLT TWO SPECIALLY FORMED PLATES TO THE DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT SO THAT STEERING CAPABILITY WILL BE RETAINED.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| BMW 318 | 1985 |
| BMW 325 | 1985, 1986 |
Components: STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
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 318 | 1985 | 2 | 2 |
| BMW 325 | 1985 | 1 | 2 |
| BMW 325 | 1986 | 9 | 3 |
Other steering recalls in 1986
23 of the 173 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1986 concerned the steering; BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE filed 145 campaigns in all.
| 86V173000 30 Dec 1986 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 86V171000 23 Dec 1986 | FLXIBLE CORPORATION |
| 86V170000 22 Dec 1986 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 86V159000 9 Dec 1986 | CHRYSLER CORPORATION |
| 86V157000 25 Nov 1986 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 86V145000 3 Nov 1986 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 86V144000 28 Oct 1986 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| 86V134000 7 Oct 1986 | CARPENTER BDY WRKS, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1986