2007 BMW 3 Series: steering wheel locks up

9 of the 115 complaints about the 2007 BMW 3 Series describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints: 9
of this car's complaints: 8%
typical mileage: 84,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 1 service bulletin covers this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

2009
1
2007
9
2006
12

What owners say

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Steering, Wheels · 108,000 miles · MD

Steering wheel lock (red symbol on the notification screen). Vehiclecle will no longer start. Nothing seems to work.

Filed Apr 19, 2016 · Steering · 78,568 miles · CA

The steering lock warning light in red display. I took to the dealer and they recommended me to replace the steering lock "elv" and program new control module. It cost $1,975.00 to replace. I did some research and it seems this might be known problem to bmw, but yet, I have never heard about it, until the incident happened to me. When the warning symbol displayed, it display every time even when I open the door.

Filed Jan 31, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · PA

Red electric steering wheel lock icon on screen and car will not start or turn over. Radio works and everything else but car will not start. When battery died, and I charged it full, then went to start the car and this red electric steering wheel lock came on. Had to get car serviced

Filed Jan 14, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 120,000 miles · CA

No star no light no power only light for steering lock

Filed Sep 17, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

Battery died. Jumpstarted, drove for a bit. Turned off, turned back on drove home. Parked the car. Tried to restart and the red electronic steering wheel lock indicator was on. Plenty of juice in the battery, car will not even attempt to turn over. Can not get into neutral to tow out. Car is dead where it sits because of the electronic steering lock. Thank goodness we weren't in the middle of nowhere.

Filed Feb 18, 2015 · Steering · 93,000 miles · GA

Steering wheel lock mechanism. Its been reported by thousands of owners but bmw doesn't issue a recall but will replace and repair for 1500.00.

Filed Mar 12, 2012 · Steering · 55,065 miles · CA

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.

Filed Feb 22, 2012 · Steering · 84,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Nov 23, 2011 · Steering · 13,000 miles · NY

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.