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.
BMW 3 Series won't start problems
15 of the 842 owner complaints about the BMW 3 Series describe won't start, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical mileage
- 74,800
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20131
- 20101
- 20091
- 20073
- 20066
- 20021
- 20012
Often reported together
Steering lock-up 4Stalling 1Loss of power 1Key fob 1Fuel pump 1
What owners say
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
I parked my vehicle and when I went to start it it would not start. I got a red elv steering column lock error, bmw cc-id 186. Car will not start.
I was driving down the road and out of no where the air bags go off. Engine immediately shut off and won't start again.
Yellow warning light indicated wheel is locked; car will not start. This has happened multiple times. Whereas it did not affect my driving, it affected driveability. Have been far from home late in the day -work related. Dealership said this is a common problem. What if wheel locks while driving? Shame on bmw.
I was driving on the highway 295 around 67 MPH. While I was on the highway about 10 minutes I felt a loss of speed about five times. It feel like I let go the gas pedal, but I never did. And suddenly the car stalled while I was on 67 MPH. I try to pulled to the right side lane of the highway. I try to start the car back up but it won't start. I keep tryin for about ten times and it about half an hour went by it start back up again.
Received yellow steering wheel and lock icon when trying to start the car. Attempted using different keys, but the car would not start and the steering wheel remained immobile. I exited the car and waited about 30 minutes to try again, but received yellow steering wheel with lock icon again when putting the key fob into the vehicle. When I called the dealership, I was quoted about $1200 as soon as I described the yellow steering wheel and lock, without them having seen the vehicle. The sa also mentioned that the newer models don't even have this feature at all. I was also advised that it is not a bmw responsibility or defect, and that I would be responsible for all shop repairs and time. Doing research about this issue, I found this is a very well documented and known issue. This seems to be due to poor design by the auto manufacturer, so much so that the "feature" isn't even included on newer models of the vehicle at all.
Auto start/stop function has malfunctioned before where when I take my foot off the brake, the car doesn't start again. Normally I can just press the start button and put it in drive. This time, however, I went to start it again after it had an "auto start/stop malfunction", and it wouldn't turn back on. An error popped up saying "ignition malfunction -- do not turn engine off. Car will not start again." currently waiting to hear back from the dealership after I had to flatbed it. Also the car wouldn't go into neutral so they had to drag it on the flatbed.
I brought the vehicle in to bmw and stated that the steering wheel lock lights come on and the car will not start until a few tries. Bmw could not find the problem, since then it has progressively gotten worst and reading forums, there seen to be a legitimate problem with this issue.
1) car would not start, fuse blown on fuel pump. (no. 1 original) towed to mechanic. 2) mechanic replaces fuel pump. (no.2) 3) return car to driveway where it sits over night. Car won't start. Towed it to mechanic. Replaced fuel pump, and he allows it to sit in his garage over night. (no.3) 4) car won't start. He thoroughly checks the car for problems, replaces the fuel pump, emptying fuel tank, replacing with new gasoline. (no.4) mechanic cut opened the original fuel pump and found that the impeller had swollen. This suggested to him that the high ethanol content fuel was swelling the impeller. He tried using both bmw parts and after market parts. This isn't not an issue with the age of the car. He saved the fuel pump and a gasoline sample.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
- Risk
- Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 23V707000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Remedy
- This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 22V119000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW 3 Series won't start
Which BMW 3 Series years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (6 complaints), 2007 (3 complaints) and 2001 (2 complaints).
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