This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Vehicle Steering Lock Malfunction - Car does not start and stuck in Park. Cannot move steering wheel which is locked. This is a design defect that needs to be addressed. Vehicle is rendered inoperative! Cannot move or start it! approx. mileage 105k. This is a new problem besides the current recall which has not been available yet. I've also been locked out of this vehicle and had to climb out of the window, thank God it was not a fire or flood! I was able to fix that problem myself. note: Steering Lock Malfunction is a widespread problem! Dealers want to replace the entire steering column in these cases at a very high cost. Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
There is a known issue with this model BMW, the elv control /steering warning lock is faulty. BMW issued a tsb to dealers that this is an issue and should only be fixed if a customer brings in the vehicle. The issue from what I understand is a software issue and can only be fixed at a dealer. A recall should be issued, if the control cannot be unlocked the car cannot start. Since BMW has recognized the issue with a tsb, I am unsure as to why a recall as not been issued. This issue is strictly related to the BMW computer system and the owners can do nothing to prevent this failure.
Electronic steering wheel lock. This is in the steering column when it fails the car will not start. It seems to be a pretty common problem. I was hoping there was a recall for this issue, but can not find one.
- Spencer, NY, USA
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I was trying to wait until a remember was available but I'm pregnant and now these issues have gotten worse and are more imperative my car is now smoking as I drive the power steering is now affected I just purchased a new battery and the battery light came on it stopped randomly in the middle of the street all issues which arent acceptable period but are worse given my current physical state
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 325I. The contact stated that there was a strong odor entering the vents of the vehicle while waiting for months to receive the remedy for NHTSA campaign number: 17V676000 (electrical system). In addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the steering wheel but the vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The dealers BMW of bowling green (325 three springs rd, bowling green, ky 42104, (270) 745-0001) and BMW of louisville (4 autocenter dr., louisville, ky 40299, (502) 287-1501) had been unable to determine when the remedy parts would be provided from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and but was unable to determine when the remedy parts would be provided to the dealers for the recall repair. The approximate failure mileage was not available. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Car was driving when yellow steering column lock warning light came on while driving on street. Malfunction of integral lock sensor in steering column elv ECU hardware steering lock error steering column lock yellow color leads to red which totally renders car unable to start BMW has know bulletin sib-32-04-07
The vehicle won't start, and steering wheel is locked. The vehicle was parked in the garage, I was able to start the car initially, but 20 minutes later, the car would not start and the steering wheel locked. I tested the alternator and the battery, but still not able to start or turn the steering wheel. Upon researching the problem, it seems to be the an issue with the elv locking system.
While driving car will intermittently and briefly experience full electronic outage causing the instrument cluster, vehicle lights, and electronic steering column lock to engage. As soon as the electronic power returns service lights display on the dashboard until I stop, fully power off the vehicle with the ignition button and restart the car. This has all happened at driving speeds ranging between 15 and 70 mph, fortunately while driving straight. If I or anyone else would happen to be in a turn and the electronic steering wheel lock engage the results could potentially be life threatening. This vehicle is a prior dealer lease then sold to a rental company then purchased by me. The vehicle remains unmodified and has beeb maintained and serviced with all oem or equivalent parts.
My wife parked her 2006 BMW 325I and when she tried to start the car the electronic steering wheel look malfunction light came on. She was unable to start the car, move the car or take it out of park to have it towed. This is either a bad design by BMW (it only happens in 2006-7 models) or safety defect.
This past week a yellow padlock popped up on my dashboard when I went to start my car. Upon future research I discovered that this it is a fault with the electric wheel lock. I have yet to find out what the route cause yet but from what I have seen, this issue is wide spread and many cases lead to the car not starting or the wheels locking up. This could cost upwards of $1500 to replace the steering wheel column. I am afraid if there is an issue with the steering wheel column, it could not only prevent my car from starting (as it has with many other cases), but could cause my steering to lock up while I am driving. This is something I can barely afford to fix, but absolutely can't afford not to. Please look into this.
First time I noticed the elv steering wheel lock malfunction. I just parked my car, turned off engine, and took out the key fob. I noticed on the instrument cluster a picture of a steering wheel and a pad lock. So I put the key fob back in the slot and the car wouldn't start. Then trying couple times taking out & putting the key fob in the ignition slot and turning the wheel left and right, the car finally started.
Electronic steering wheel lock malfunctions without notice and renders the car incapable of starting. A yellow steering wheel icon (or red in some instances) appears in the informational panel on the dashboard. The accompanying error code is cc-id 187. This condition when it occurs, will not energize (disables) the ignition system and prevents the car from being started. Drivers will become stranded wherever they happen to be once the car is turned off as the error notification appears only when the car is switched off or back on. There are literally hundreds of similar and identical cases on the internet when performing a google search on this issue.
Steering wheel light comes on vehicle does not start steering wheel locks I hear from a forum that this is a serious issue can be a reason for a fatal accident.
Steering wheel lock has malfunctioned rendering the car unstartable..car was parked with wheels facing strait ahead and upon restart the lock malfunctioned and has been stuck in the lock position.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Haddon Heights, NJ, USA