WHILEEXITING A PARKING PLACE ALONG A CURB - SLIGHT VEER OUT,ON DRY PAVEMENT, NIGHTIME, ON AN AVERAGECITY STREET. STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME BULLISH. WITHIN 100 FEET AND IN THE PROCESSOF THE 1ST UPCOMING90-DEGREE RIGHT-HANDTURN ALL MANNER OF WARNINGS WENT OFF, "PEDESTRIAN WARNING FAULTY,INCREASED STEER EFFORT (DUH!) CHASSIS STABILIZATION. I ALSO FELTIMMEDIATEPAININ MY RIGHT FOREARM AND SO THE ORDER O…
2017 BMW i3 steering problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I had just turned on the car a few minutes prior to the incident and I was approaching an intersection to turn left onto a 2-lane highway. As I made the left turn, the steering felt wrong like the car was over then under steering. I was able to straighten out, and I felt like the power steering had failed. A quarter mile down the road, I turned left into a gas station, and I could feel the heav…
ELECTRIC STEERING BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. STEERING FELT SLUGGISH AND DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE ANY POWER ASSISTANCE. THE FEELING OF THE STEERING NO LONGER HAVING A POWER ASSIST LED ME TO RESEARCH THE VEHICLE INFO TO DETERMINE IF THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING A FLAT TIRE(S). THE FEELING WAS THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE FLAT. ON BOARD TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM INDICATED THAT…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 BMW i3?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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