NHTSA Complaint #10392956 — 1999 BMW 540I

STEERING issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10392956
Vehicle	1999 BMW 540I
Component	STEERING
Date of Incident	March 25, 2011
Date Filed	March 26, 2011
Mileage	176,009 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	PA

Consumer Description

VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55-60MPH) AND A LOUD METALLIC 'THUNK' NOISE WAS HEARD AS IF SOMETHING STRUCK OR BOUNCED OFF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE COME OFF THE DRIVE PULLEYS, AND UPON CLOSER INSPECTION THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS DISCOVERED TO BE LOOSE. THE UPPER MOUNTING EAR WAS BROKEN, AND THE LOWER MOUNTING BOLT WAS MISSING ENTIRELY. IT APPEARS THE BREAK IN THE UPPER MOUNTING EAR CAUSE THE LOWER BOLT TO VIBRATE LOOSE, AND IN TURN THE SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT WAS DISLODGED. THE RESULT WAS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING THAT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN AT LOW SPEED DUE TO SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT.

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