BMW Brilliance to Recall 143,215 Cars in China Over Power Steering Fault
BMW’s Chinese joint venture will recall over 143,000 5 Series vehicles built between 2009 and 2012 due to electric power steering concerns, according to China’s quality regulator.
BMW Brilliance Automotive, the German carmaker’s joint venture with Brilliance China Automotive, will recall 143,215 vehicles in China after regulators identified a potential fault with the electric power steering system. The recall, announced by China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, covers certain 5 Series models manufactured between 2009 and 2012.
The affected vehicles risk losing power assistance to the steering, which could make the cars harder to control and increase the chance of an accident, especially at low speeds or when manoeuvring. The regulator has not reported any accidents or injuries linked to the fault at the time of the announcement.
Details of the recall
BMW Brilliance will contact owners of the affected vehicles to arrange free repairs. The recall covers both locally produced long-wheelbase and standard-wheelbase 5 Series models from the specified years. The company is expected to inspect and, if necessary, replace the electric power steering components to address the defect.
This action follows a series of recalls by foreign carmakers in China, as local authorities have increased scrutiny of vehicle quality and safety. Power steering faults have been the subject of recalls from other manufacturers as well, including General Motors, which recalled 1.3 million vehicles in the US for a similar issue (see GM recalls 1.3 million US vehicles for power steering fault).
Regulatory and market context in China
The announcement came as BMW’s Chinese operations faced additional challenges. Shortly before the recall, BMW Brilliance’s planned expansion of one of its plants was delayed after failing to secure approval from China’s environment ministry, which cited shortcomings in wastewater analysis and unmet anti-pollution targets. The recall and regulatory setback add to the scrutiny foreign luxury carmakers have faced in China, with state media questioning pricing practices and calling for antitrust investigations.
BMW’s recall is one of several high-profile safety campaigns in China involving international brands. Recent years have seen Volkswagen, Nissan, and Suzuki also issue recalls for safety-related defects affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles (see Suzuki Recalls Splash, Swift and SX4 in Germany, Nissan Tiida in China for Safety Fixes). As competition intensifies and regulators demand higher standards, manufacturers are under pressure to respond quickly to quality issues.
What owners should do
Owners of affected BMW 5 Series vehicles in China will be contacted directly by BMW Brilliance to arrange inspection and repair. The company has committed to carrying out the work at no cost to customers. Drivers concerned about the recall can contact their local dealer or the company’s customer service hotline for further information.
