BMW bulletin B612123
What it saysThe steering wheel heating takes a long time to achieve the desired temperature. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
BMW filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Nov 16, 2023, received Sep 25, 2023, about the steering — 2 documents under this number. It names 23 model years (2016–2024). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationThe steering wheel heating takes a long time to achieve the desired temperature.
Documents filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B612123 | Service bulletin | Nov 16, 2023 | 10245376 | PDF, 93 KB |
| B612123 | Service bulletin | Aug 1, 2023 | 10242701 | not found |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Doing the repair yourself, or pricing it before the shop does? Search the part by fitment on eBay Motors — the listing and the price are the seller’s.
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Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themAlso filed against model years this site has no page for: 2023 BMW 240I; 2021 BMW IX.
A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 21 model years this bulletin names have filed 715 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 7 of them name Steering — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
Upon straight line driving, vehicle has abruptly cut to the left into the opposing driving lane. Had another vehicle been approaching, could have resulted in a collision. It has occurred randomly on three different occasions over two month period. Have been trying to get with the dealer for a week. They don't seem to consider it urgent.
2023 BMW X1 · Steering · filed with NHTSA Feb 28, 2024 · ODI 11574465
On 11/11 I was driving my vehicle and for the first time ever I received a error message in the vehicle of reduced driver steering. It said driving was still possible but take the vehicle to a dealer for evaluation when possible. This message popped up and went away the rest of the day and first half of the following day.
2022 BMW iX · Steering · filed with NHTSA Nov 12, 2025 · ODI 11698875
I recently needed to have my Steering Rack replaced since the internal control unit had a fault. There was no warning prior to the failure and the sudden fault resulted in complete loss of power steering. Luckily, I was driving at a slow speed and was close to my house.
2016 BMW 2 Series · Steering · filed with NHTSA Aug 22, 2022 · ODI 11480526
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the steering
Source: same model, same component group11 other manufacturer communications filed against these BMW models under the same component group (steering), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the BMW list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B320526 | Service bulletin | Aug 20, 2026 | “Cracking” noise might be heard when turning the steering wheel from lock to lock. See attached video V3202 26 EPS noise. |
| B320326 | Service bulletin | Apr 23, 2026 | “Groaning” noise from the EPS when the steering wheel is at the end stops. |
| B320123 | Service bulletin | Apr 6, 2026 | When turning the steering wheel while stationary or when driving on uneven roads; cracking, creaking, or knocking noises may be heard. |
| B320825 | Service bulletin | Sep 3, 2025 | When the steering column is adjusted inwards towards the instrument cluster, the noise may occur near thelimit position. |
| 0032630300 | Service campaign | Jul 8, 2025 | A check control (CC) message (‘Steering behavior. Drive moderately. Have it checked by the nearest service partner.’) will light up and ther… |
| B320425 | Service bulletin | May 2, 2025 | After prolonged straight-ahead driving (e.g. highway driving), there may be a temporary, slightly noticeable increase in steering forces whe… |
| B320125 | Service bulletin | Jan 10, 2025 | Rumbling, groaning type noises from the EPS when the steering wheel is at the end stops. |
| B320324 | Service campaign | Dec 6, 2024 | DELIVERY STOP: REPLACE STEERING GEAR – I20 |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for BMW, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is BMW B612123 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the B612123 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way. Every BMW warranty extension on file lists the ones BMW has filed.
Which vehicles does B612123 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 23 model years: 2024 BMW 2 Series, 2023 BMW 2 Series, 2022 BMW 2 Series, 2021 BMW 2 Series, 2020 BMW 2 Series, 2019 BMW 2 Series and more. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.