4/1/2021

32 11 19_STEERING ASSISTANCE SPORADIC REDUCTION: EPS SOFTWARE UPDATE EXT LTD WTY COVERAGE

SIB 32 11 19
STEERING ASSISTANCE SPORADIC REDUCTION: EPS SOFTWARE
UPDATE EXT LTD WTY COVERAGE

2021-03-15

This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 2) replaces SI B32 11 19 dated December 2020.
What’s New:
Applicable Model information expanded
One-time extended limited warranty coverage information added
Prior customer-pay repair reimbursement information and handout added

MODEL
E-Series
I01
I01
I01
I01

MY
2014 - 2020
2014 - 2020
2018 - 2020
2018 - 2020

Model Description
i3 BEV
i3 Rex
i3 Sport BEV
i3 Sport Rex

Production Dates
February 11, 2014 to February 25, 2020
March 5, 2014 to February 26, 2020
October 17, 2017 to February 27, 2020
November 6, 2017 to February 26, 2020

SITUATION
The driver notices a reduction of steering assistance sporadically while in certain driving situations. Steering
control is never lost when the reduction of assistance occurs.
Possible customer perceptions are:
- Steering system sporadically moves stiffly
- Steering assistance reduced in some instances
- Varying steering forces
- Steering wheel slightly crooked
The fault may self-correct for no obvious reason or be eliminated with a terminal change/key cycle.
There is no Check Control (CC) message when the issue occurs.
EPS Software Update Limited Warranty Extension
For the eligible Model vehicles that qualify for this repair as described in the Correction and Procedure
sections, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty coverage for this onetime EPS software update (programming and encoding procedure) to:
10 years/120,000 miles as determined by the vehicle’s original in-service date.

This coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to
the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
Note: This bulletin is a notice of this limited warranty extension. This is NOT a notice of a Recall or
Service Action.
There is no immediate repair required unless the BMW vehicle is currently experiencing this problem.
Note: Electric Steering gear assembly electrical and/or mechanical component issues are not
covered under this limited warranty extension coverage.

CAUSE
Unfavorable software in the Electric Power Steering (EPS).

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32 11 19_STEERING ASSISTANCE SPORADIC REDUCTION: EPS SOFTWARE UPDATE EXT LTD WTY COVERAGE

CORRECTION
Update the vehicle integration level to ISTA 4.22.1x or higher.

PROCEDURE
First, review the VIN-specific Repair History (Claims) section in the DCSnet Warranty Vehicle Inquiry to
confirm that a claim with Defect Code 3213900300 has not already been submitted for that specific
vehicle.
Then, determine the vehicle’s current I-level by either using AIR or the ISPA NEXT application.
If the I-level is higher than or equal to I001-17-11-500 and lower than I001-20-03-520:
Program the vehicle using ISTA 4.22.1x or higher (released March 2020)
Model

Target Integration Level

I01 (i3)

I001-20-03-520

Note that ISTA will automatically reprogram and code all programmable control modules that do not have
the latest software.
Always connect a BMW approved battery charger/power supply (SI B04 23 10).
For information on programming and coding with ISTA/P, refer to CenterNet / Aftersales Portal / Service /
Workshop Technology / Vehicle Programming.
If the I-level is lower than I001-17-11-500; or higher than or equal to I001-20-03-520:
Do not program the vehicle, this bulletin does not apply
Perform a vehicle test and work through the corresponding test plan

PARTS INFORMATION
Do not replace any parts for this issue.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
During this workshop visit, the affected vehicle may also show one or more programming and encoding
Technical Campaign repairs open, the programming and encoding procedure may only be invoiced one
time.
Select one of these open Technical Campaigns to perform and submit for updating the vehicle to the
required I-level or higher.
Please be sure to also perform any additional work (before and/or after) as required by the open
campaign(s) on the vehicle. Close any other remaining open programming and encoding Campaign
repairs as outlined in the corresponding Service Information Bulletin.
Only if the above situation does not apply, for the Model vehicles listed above:
This one-time BMW Electric Power Steering (EPS) software update (programming and encoding procedure)
when required as described in the Correction and Procedure sections of this bulletin is covered for the first
10 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Under this extended coverage, this repair applies to eligible and qualifying US-specification BMW vehicles
that are registered, operated, and have this repair performed by an authorized BMW center in the United
States (including Puerto Rico).

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32 11 19_STEERING ASSISTANCE SPORADIC REDUCTION: EPS SOFTWARE UPDATE EXT LTD WTY COVERAGE

The existing limited warranty coverage for the whole vehicle and other components has not
changed.
This coverage supersedes the coverage that is provided under the BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program or
any BMW Group Vehicle Service Contract that applies to the vehicle.
Non-Qualifying Repairs
Non-US specification vehicles, ineligible vehicles, eligible vehicles operated and repaired outside the United
States and Puerto Rico and/or the diagnosis and repair or component replacements for unrelated issues are
not covered under the terms of this EPS software update-related limited warranty extension.
Qualifying Repairs – Claim Submission
Defect Code:
:
Labor
Operation
00 00 006

3213900300

I01 Restricted steering assistance

Description

Labor Allowance

Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Main work)

Refer to AIR

Performing vehicle test (with vehicle diagnosis system –
checking faults) (Plus work)

Refer to AIR

Support voltage of the vehicle electrical system /
recharge vehicle electrical system battery

Refer to AIR

Recharge vehicle battery (service cap in trunk removed)
(to EME)

Refer to AIR

Programming/encoding control unit(s)

Refer to AIR

Or:
00 00 556
And:
61 21 528
Or:
61 21 529
And:
61 00 730

If you are using a Main labor code for another repair, use the Plus code labor operation 00 00 556 instead of
00 00 006.
Refer to AIR for the corresponding flat rate unit (FRU) allowance.
As applicable to your center, please refer to SI B01 01 20 or B01 07 20 for claiming your diagnosis work
time, job/repair work time (WT), RO/Claim WT and/or repair explanation procedures.
Programming and Encoding - Vehicle Control Units (RO and Claim Comments Required)
The programming procedure automatically reprograms and encodes all vehicle control modules which do
not have the latest software I-level. If one or more control module failures occur during this programming
procedure:

Please claim this consequential control module-related repair work (including performing the IRAP
Control Unit Recovery procedure first as required, refer to the SIB in AIR) under the defect code listed in
this bulletin with the applicable AIR labor operations.
Please explain this additional work (The why and what) on the repair order and in the claim comments
section
For control module failures that occurred prior to performing this programming procedure:

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32 11 19_STEERING ASSISTANCE SPORADIC REDUCTION: EPS SOFTWARE UPDATE EXT LTD WTY COVERAGE

When covered under an applicable limited warranty, claim the applicable test plan and the corresponding
control module-related repair work using the applicable defect code and labor operations in AIR
(including diagnosis).
Other Repairs (Beyond the scope of this bulletin and the extended warranty coverage)
Based on the coverage that applies, if other eligible work is performed because of performing the ISTA
diagnostics and related test plans, claim this work with the applicable defect code and the labor operations
that are listed in AIR (including diagnosis).
Previous Customer-Pay Repairs – Limited Warranty Extension Reimbursement
Note: A copy of the attached reimbursement procedure can be provided to the customer
Under this extended limited warranty, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) will provide reimbursement
for qualifying customer-pay repairs for updating the EPS software on eligible Model vehicles as described in
this bulletin that were performed prior to the release of this of this specific vehicle programming and
encoding software update procedure limited warranty extension.
The prior customer-pay repairs are subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and
exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks.
Repairs that Do Not Qualify for Reimbursement
Repairs performed on ineligible vehicles, eligible vehicles operated and repaired outside the United States
and Puerto Rico and/or the diagnosis and repair of other unrelated issues.
This exclusion also applies to vehicle repairs/component replacement that were performed to address
issues with the Electric Steering Gear’s electrical and/or mechanical assemblies.
Requesting Reimbursement for a Previous Repair That Qualifies
For a customer to request reimbursement for a qualifying customer-pay repair performed either by an
authorized BMW center or independent repair shop located in the United States (including Puerto Rico),
please have him/her submit his/her reimbursement request online at www.BMW-RP.com under the following
reference:

B-ELWR 2021 i3 EPS Software Update 10Y120M
Reimbursement Request Procedure
The online process is initiated by attaching/sending PDF files of the supporting documentation for the prior
repair.
The alternative methods to request reimbursement is either by mail or by fax as described below:
BMW Customer Reimbursement Center
Attention: B-ELWR 2021 i3 EPS Software Update 10Y120M
P.O. Box 54067
Hurst, Texas 76054
Fax number: 877-434-2992
Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing your request.

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Should you have any questions concerning this reimbursement process, please call 1-844-857-0341.
BMW Owner/Operator Inquiries and Assistance
For all other questions, please contact the BMW’s Customer Relations and Services via email
at [email protected] or via telephone at 1-800-831-1117.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS BULLETIN
Technical inquiries
Warranty inquiries
Parts inquiries

Submit feedback at the top of this bulletin
Please contact the Warranty department by either using the Live Chat
that’s available in the Warranty Documentation Portal or through IDS
by selecting Coverage, Policy, Coding Questions and Mileage
Corrections
Submit an IDS ticket to the Parts Department

Supporting Materials
picture_as_pdf B321119_Cust Pay Reimbursement.pdf

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BMW of North America, LLC
i3 One-Time EPS Software Update: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles
Previous Customer-Pay Repair – Limited Warranty Extension Reimbursement
SI B32 11 19 Attachment
Under this extended limited warranty, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) will provide reimbursement for
qualifying customer-pay repairs for updating the EPS software on eligible Model vehicles that were performed
prior to the release of this specific vehicle programming and encoding software update procedure limited
warranty extension
Customer-pay repairs being reviewed for reimbursement are subject to the same vehicle eligibility
requirements, limitations, and exclusions that apply to the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger
Cars and Light Trucks.
Repairs that Do Not Qualify for Reimbursement
Repairs performed on ineligible vehicles, eligible vehicles operated and repaired outside the United States and
Puerto Rico and/or the diagnosis and repair of other unrelated issues. This exclusion also applies to vehicle
repairs/component replacements that were performed to address issues with the Electric Steering Gear’s
electrical and/or mechanical assemblies.
Requesting Reimbursement for a Previous Repair That Qualifies
To request reimbursement for a qualifying customer-pay repair performed either by an authorized BMW center
or independent repair shop located in the United States (including Puerto Rico), please submit your
reimbursement request online at www.BMW-RP.com under the following reference:
•

B-ELWR 2021 i3 EPS Software Update 10Y120M

Reimbursement Request Procedure
The online process is initiated by attaching/sending PDF files of the supporting documentation for the previous
customer pay repair.
The alternative methods to request reimbursement are either by the mail or fax as described below:
BMW Customer Reimbursement Center
Attention: B-ELWR 2021 i3 EPS Software Update 10Y120M
P.O. Box 54067
Hurst, Texas 76054
Fax number: 877-434-2992
Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing your request.
Should you have any questions concerning this reimbursement process, please call 1-844-857-0341.
BMW Owner/Operator Inquiries and Assistance
For all other questions, please contact the BMW’s Customer Relations and Services via email at
[email protected] or via telephone at 1-800-831-1117.

1 | P a g e B-ELWR 2021 i3 EPS Software Update 10Y120M

March 2021

BMW of North America, LLC
i3 One-Time EPS Software Update: Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles
Previous Customer-Pay Repair – Limited Warranty Extension Reimbursement
SI B32 11 19 Attachment
Reimbursement is available to the BMW Owner/Lessee who incurred the expense.
When submitting a reimbursement for a previous repair, please provide legible copies of the following
documentation and include your VIN, name, address, and your preferred contact telephone number(s):
Repair Order (RO) or Invoice
This document should include the following information:
Customer name and address
Vehicle Identification Number (“VIN”)
The date of repair
The mileage when the repair was performed
Itemized breakdown of the labor charges for all repairs* including diagnosis
Itemized breakdown of the parts, including any miscellaneous items, billed for all repairs*
*For repair orders containing multiple repair line items, only the specific line item expenses that relate to
the component that is covered by this extended limited warranty will be considered for reimbursement.
Proof of Payment
Please provide a copy of at least one of the following items as valid proof of payment:
Repair order (RO)/invoice stamped and dated as “PAID”
Copy of a cancelled check
Copy of a signed credit/debit card receipt
Copy of a credit/debit card statement
Determining if an eligible vehicle’s repair qualifies for reimbursement:
Please use the following questions to review your repair order documentation prior to submitting a
reimbursement request:
1. Why was the vehicle brought into the repair facility?

2. What was the repair facility's diagnosis?

3. What did the repair facility do to correct the concern, and does it qualify?

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March 2021