# 2004 BMW X3 — STEERING
> NHTSA complaint `517219` · 2005-01-18 · BMW of North America, LLC
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** Yes
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** BMW
- **Model:** X3
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** BMW of North America, LLC
- **Component:** STEERING
- **Miles at failure:** 2,000
- **Speed:** 30 mph
## Narrative
JUNE 6, 2004, WE PURCHASED THE BMW 545I FROM IRVINE BMW.  WHILE DRIVING IN JULY, IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, I SHUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE STEERING RESET ITSELF.  THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR 3 WEEKS.  UPON RECEIPT, THE STEERING FAILED AGAIN IN OCTOBER, THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE 4 WEEKS.  UPON RECEIPT, THE CAR AGAIN FAILED IN NOVEMBER, THE CAR WAS IN SERVICE 4 WEEKS.  UPON RECEIPT THE ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2005.  THE DEALER OFFERED US A REPLACEMENT OR A REFUND.  THE ACTIVE STEERING MALFUNCTION CAUSES THE STEERING TO LOCK IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN.  TWO TIMES I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NEARLY ESCAPED A COLLISION.  THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR IS ABSENT.   *NM
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*