Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 BMW 328i steering problems
severe Owners of the 2011 BMW 328i have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 328i (this page) | 10 |
| 2012 328i | 4 |
| 2013 328i | 8 |
| 2014 328i | 4 |
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 10 steering complaints filed for the 2011 BMW 328i, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of BMW 328i we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B07 03 14 dated October 2015. Diagnosing Stored Fault Codes to Help Avoid Repeat Repair Visits. Fault codes stored in vehicles being serviced are not being diagnosed, leading to repeat repair visits (source- Analysis of FASTA data and repeat repair visit reports). INFORMATION Where diagnosis (vehicle or short test) with ISTA has already started, it is important to diagnose the fault code(s) listed below (when they are stored in the vehicle) to find their root cause during the current workshop visit. This will help lead to a reduction in workshop repeat repair visits and higher customer satisfaction.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ELV Does Not Release. Cause 1: The steering column is held against the steering lock because of torque from the steering gear. In such cases, a yellow check control warning (CC ID# 187) is shown in the instrument cluster, but no faults are stored. Cause 2: Communication fault in the CAS (Car Access System) and ELV system network and/or battery low. The problem may cause the ELV warning to be displayed in yellow or red.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
A 2011 328i owner experienced steering wheel and front-end vibration at 45 mph starting at just 300 miles; the dealer was contacted but never completed repairs. Another owner's vehicle pulled to the right when the steering wheel was centered, requiring the wheel be held several degrees left for straight-line driving. This pull worsened at highway speeds. The dealer performed alignments at 1600 and 2200 miles and found rear camber, rear toe, and front left toe out of spec, yet the pull persisted both times.
One owner reports the heated steering wheel thermostat occasionally overheats the wheel to nearly untouchable temperatures, creating a burn hazard; power cycling the switch temporarily helps. A separate owner notes steering is very hard to turn. Most concerning, one owner reports suddenly losing steering control at 65-70 mph on the freeway, with the wheel veering and jerking uncontrollably. Another owner complains of hard steering across the board. These reports span from early mileage to highway operation and suggest multiple distinct steering system concerns rather than a single root cause.
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Vibration and Front-End Shake
Steering wheel and front end vibrate during highway driving, reported at 45 mph. Symptom appeared early in vehicle life (300 miles mileage when failure occurred).
When: 300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel vibration; front end vibration; vibration at highway speeds
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted but vehicle was not repaired.
Pull to the Right with Off-Center Steering Wheel
Vehicle pulls to the right when steering wheel is centered; driver must hold wheel several degrees to the left to drive straight. Pull worsens at highway speeds. Dealer performed two alignments (at 1600 and 2200 miles) which found rear camber, rear toe, and front left toe out of spec, but pull persisted after both alignments.
When: 1600 miles (first alignment), 2200 miles (second alignment)
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle pulls to the right; steering wheel off-center; pull amplified at highway speeds; pull remains after alignment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed alignment at 1600 miles; found rear camber, rear toe, and front left toe out of spec. Second alignment performed at 2200 miles did not resolve issue.
Heated Steering Wheel Thermostat Malfunction and Overheating
Steering wheel thermostat occasionally malfunctions and overheats to the point of being almost too hot to touch and potentially causing burns. Power cycling the switch can temporarily resolve the issue but the wheel takes several minutes to cool to safe operating temperature.
Symptoms owners cite: steering wheel overheating; steering wheel too hot to touch; burn hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Power cycling the switch several times can temporarily resolve the issue.
Hard Steering
Steering is very hard to turn, making turning more difficult than normal. Owner notes received car with this condition at purchase.
Symptoms owners cite: difficult steering; hard to turn
Loss of Steering Control at Highway Speed
Vehicle lost control at 65-70 mph on freeway with steering wheel veering and jerking; driver lost control of steering wheel.
Symptoms owners cite: loss of steering control; veering; jerking; steering wheel lost control
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I purchased my vehicle and my 3rd top center brake light has never worked. My tires the tread seems low and I should have had new tires on the car when I purchased it. The steering seems more difficult when turning than it should be. Also I didn't receive 2 keys. My owners manual says I should receive 2 keys. I also had to order my owners manual and my car didn't come with it's owners…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 BMW 328i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2011 BMW 328i?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 49,923 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/BMW/328i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.