My 2007 bmw 335i became very hard to steer during a drive down a steep grade. A battery not charging error would appear on dash shortly after... Here is what happened. While driving down a steep hill and needing to break hard on a turn to avoid hitting a dead animal on the road I smelled burning rubber and then heard a noise this noise I discovered later in the day was my power steering belt breaking. I lost all power steering went off the road out off control due to lose of power steering and almost hit a bike rider and came very close to going off the side of road. Later that day I decided to google my problem and see if there would be an easy fix to this problem. I discovered there is not an easy fix for a broken belt on my modal of car. I discovered this is common on many bmw models and bmw is aware of it see sib 11-09-08. I quickly discovered that I am not the only owner out there with this problem. There are many others. Bmw knows of the problem and has not recalled any cars. There documentation of the problem is under sib 11-09-08. I will be bringing my car back to dealer to have this problem resolve and hope they follow the sib 11-09-08 which notes new style sub frame replacement will be required. I believe an investigation needs to be made regarding power steering belts breaking. These belts should not be breaking under the condition I was driving and should be considered a major safety issue. I hope to see this resolved soon before someone is killed. At this time I don't feel the car will be safe to drive.
2007 BMW 3 Series steering complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 15 of 15, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Red steering wheel lock warning light. I've spoken to many bmw owners and have researched online and this appears to be happening quiet often.
A warning light came on in my car (steering wheel with pad lock). I contacted the dealer and they asked me if I had called earlier which I had not. I was somewhat alarmed that this sound like a common issue although in all of the cars I have owned in the past, I have never had to replace a steering wheel column. I believe this is a defect and this is why I am filing this concern. I was informed that normally the steering wheel locks up and you are unable to drive.
I was driving and a red light with a steering wheel and pad lock came on. I contacted someone regarding this light and they indicated that this is very dangerous to drive on and that it could potentially lock up on me. I contacted irvine bmw to inquire on the cost and someone answered asking me if I had spoke to him earlier about this problem, I responded no it was my first time calling. I believe this is potentially a problem with this vehicle and am requesting that someone look into the matter. I'm having to replace my steering column which cost $1460 and my extended warranty just ended and my vehicle just came on its 5th year.
The steering lock sensor is on. Might have to change steering wheel. Googled the problem at it seems that it is a factory defect as tons of people are affected.
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