Vehicle recall 12V302000 · June 28, 2012
BMW ActiveE and Z4
Variations in electrical current may occur within the electric power steering assistance system, leading to sudden loss of power steering assistance.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- BMW is recalling certain model year 2011 1-series active e and model year 2012 Z4 vehicles. Variations in electrical current may occur within the electric power steering assistance system, leading to sudden loss of power steering assistance.
- Consequence
- Sudden loss of steering assistance may increase the steering effort required to control the direction of a vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering assistance module, free of charge. The safety recall began during July 2012. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.
- Notes
- Customers may contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 12V302000
- Reported to NHTSA
- June 28, 2012
- Filed by
- BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC
- Owner notification
- August 28, 2012
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 162
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Steering › Electric power assist system
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- BMW ActiveE (2011): 2011
- BMW Z4 (2012): 2012
Has your BMW been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A BMW dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.