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.
Lights of the steering wheel its been lock came out, the car was park and was ready to go to work, but when I turned on the light show up on the panel, and the steering wheel was not lock, I was able to turn it, , I turn it off and on again and the light still
The car will not start, a steering lock malfunction and a engine malfunction message appear. Had BMW mechanics try to resolve problem. Changed steering lock mechanism, reprogram modules, change several sensors, place new battery and even replace the dme. The only thing that seems to partially allow the car to start is to "reset the cas" with a computer.
At 51000 miles a red light with a steering wheel and a padlock appeared on the dash. The car starts and steers ok with the red steering lock light on. There are no mechanical issues with the car but the light and a message stating go to a safe place before turning the car off. I brought it to the dealer and they tell me the whole steering column has to be replaced to get rid of the red light and the message on the navigation screen. This was after replacing the steering column switch cluster at a cost of $1033.there was an internal fault of the steering sensor causing the ABS light to show up on the dash. Apparently BMW has built in defects that show up on the dash as a warning light. There are no mechanical problems related to the warning light but a very costly fix to have the warning light removed. The service advisor at the BMW dealership said he didn't quote me on the steering column replacement because it wasn't worth doing. So I am driving this BMW with a red dash light showing a steering wheel and a padlock with a message on the navigation screen telling me to drive to a safe place before turning the engine off because the engine may not start again. After going on line and doing some research the steering wheel/padlock light issue is a common problem. BMW needs to issue a recall on both of these items and repair them free of charge when they occur.
The steering wheel locked and the car will not start. Can not get it out of the steering wheel lock mode that shows in the instrument cluster. I have searched the internet and find that this has and is a problem for many people who own BMW automobiles, which I consider to be very dangerous. Not to mention inconvenient since you can not start or drive the car. It happened out of the blue for no known reason. I am pretty darn upset about this! luckily I had just put the car into the garage out of the driveway. I do not know what might of happened if I was on a public street or away from my home...perhaps in a parking lot. I would be stranded since the car can not start or be driven if the wheel is locked.
- Richmond Hill, GA, USA
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Vehicle is displaying a steering wheel lock. A red warning light with a lock symbol (upper right hand corner) is on the panel display. This is very alarming and distracting while operating the vehicle, because you don't know if it will impact the actual steering. So far the vehicle does start up and runs normally, but the indicator is constantly on. I reviewed some of the online forums and some suggest that this fault could cause the vehicle to not start. My daughter is the one normally driving this vehicle. We are going to assist to get her another vehicle, since I don't know if this one is safe.
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525xi. While the vehicle was being serviced at the dealer, the ignition was turned to the on position but the engine did not start. The dealer diagnosed that the steering wheel lock mechanism failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Updated 8/10/15 updated 10/17/2017
I have a BMW 525I 2007, which was a certified pre-owned vehicle bought from East bay BMW. Around 71,000 miles, the 'steering wheel lock malfunction' light came on (red color). The car is drivable, and works fine, however, the light is still on with a warning that the engine may not start. I asked BMW of mountain view for a quote. They say that the elv lock (steering wheel lock) and screws need to be replaced for $1521.49!! that's insane. I see many many other BMW owners complaint about the same issue. This should be a recall. Many owners say that simply reprogramming the cas (car access system) module fixed the problem. BMW of mountain view said that they will charge $200 for the reprogramming, with no guarantee that it will fix the issue. If after replacing the elv locks + screws another reprogramming needs to be done, that would be another $200 for programming. This isn't right. BMW please own up to your defects.
I got in my car to go home from work, and a red warning light came on saying "steering wheel lock malfunction" I have read that this is a problem with most BMW 3 series and some 5. I had the battery changed one year ago for $800, so it can't be the battery. I believe this is an issue BMW knows about, but will not issue the proper recall.
2007 BMW 525xi model not limited to or exclusive of this make/model but has a known issue where a red light indicator appears on the dash signaling an electronic steering column fault has occurred, do not turn the engine off or the car may not be able to be started again, contact your local BMW service department. This has yet to make it on the NHTSA database as an official recall but I have researched and made note of several hundred customers experiencing this same issue on their BMW. This could leave you in a dangerous position if you needed to leave an area and were unable to start your car and it could leave you stranded as it could cause a no start situation.
On several occasions my vehicle failed to start because the steering wheel was locked according to the indicator on the dash. The indicator had the letters elv with a picture of a steering wheel with a lock. It stated that for safety reasons the vehicle will not start and in order to start it recommended that I move the steering wheel in order to start the vehicle. The warning was in yellow and several times in red. I'm afraid to drive the vehicle while running errands for the fear that I will become stranded if the vehicle won't start.
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525xi. The contact stated that the power steering assist failed. The contact was unable to start the vehicle. The power steering warning light was also illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2007 BMW 525I. The contact stated that at engine startup, the steering lock warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the steering column and sensor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 76,750 and the current mileage was 76,780.
Red light on dashboard showing a steering wheel with a lock. First time this happened. Took car to BMW and have to pay over $100 for a diagnostic test and to be told I'll probably need new steering wheel column. Car has been well maintained. Need a recall on this problem as others have this same problem.
The steering light came on in my car stating the wheel was locked and I would not be able to drive my car. My car is still drivable. I took my car to BMW and was charged $145 for a diagnostic test to be told I need a elv steeling lock which is going to cost me $880. I bought this care 2 years ago 2 carmaxx.
Electric steering wheel lock: A red light showing a steering wheel with a lock shows up on the dashboard when trying to start the car. It starts the first time and then does not start on subsequent tries. The vehicle had to be towed to BMW and the repairs involve replacement of the steering wheel column. This looks like a minor sensor fault requiring the replacement of a major mechanical component due to bad design. I believe that BMW should recall and replace the bad sensors this issue has been widely reported by other owners of bmws around the same model year www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?T=410153
2007 BMW 525xi model not limited to or exclusive of this make/model but has a known issue where a red light indicator appears on the dash signaling an electronic steering column fault has occurred, do not turn the engine off or the car may not be able to be started again, contact your local BMW service department. This has yet to make it on the NHTSA database as an official recall but I have researched and made note of several hundred customers experiencing this same issue on their BMW. This car is out of the 3 year service warranty and this is not covered or a recalled item as of today. I am filing my complaint against BMW since it will be costing me over $1000 to have this addressed/fixed when in fact it is abnormal behavior by BMW engineering/manufacturing and is a defect in their design. It should be recalled and fixed for all BMW customers covering the span of years in which the commonality has occurred 2006-2007 325, 525 models.
2007 BMW 525 has a message indicating the steering lock is activated. Message will not go away. BMW indicates this is a common problem but is not covered out of warranty.
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- Bohemia, NY, USA