2006 BMW 325I: won't start

Filed Jul 24, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · NJ

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).

Filed Dec 28, 2017 · Electrical, Steering · SC

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.

Filed Apr 26, 2016 · Steering · 130,000 miles · TX

Steering wheel lock light is on engine does not start steering wheel does not move is lock

Filed Apr 26, 2016 · Steering · 130,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Nov 26, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 146,000 miles · TN

Vehicle had a yellow steering wheel and lock display on the dash when I tried to start my car. After multiple attempt to start the car in every possibly way, it still did not start. Put key in, pulled it out multiple times; locked car, unlocked car; wiggled steering wheel while trying to start the car (push start). Noticed when key is pushed into key hole, it latches, but does not give any electrical power to the car, or release the steering wheel. Steering wheel was locked. Car has no power to other functions in car. Car can't be shifted into neutral to move car. The car is pretty much unusable.

Filed Oct 11, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 65,512 miles · VI

I only have 65k miles on my bmw 325i 2006 it and mostly driven on highways. A few days back my bmw wouldn't start without any rhyme or reason. It had a red steering wheel warning light on and the car wouldn't start at all. The book didn't have any instructions either but to take the car to dealerships. I called the dealership and they were also helpless and had no idea. I had to tow my car to the dealership. Ultimately dealership informed me that there was some manufacturing issue and the whole steering column need to be replaced. This sounded crazy as my car has never been with any accident. I don't understand why a car with only 65k miles needs a whole steering column replaced. It cost me ~$1500 to replace the steering column. On searching google it looks like a lot of customers have the same manufacturing issue where the steering wheel would jam and customers need to replace the whole steering column. I emailed and called the bmw service and they refused to take any action and told me to file a complaint with the federal safety agency if I wish to do so. This is definitely a manufacturing defect where the car would not even start until the whole steering column is replaced. Please tell bmw to own the manufacturing issue and stop cheating naive customers.

Filed Mar 26, 2014 · Steering · 109,000 miles · NV

Just had car serviced and looked over on week later steering wheel lock came on when I used it day before. Had no warning, woke up in the morning to go to work and steering wheel lock symbol came up and car will not start.

Filed Oct 15, 2013 · Airbags, Electrical · 60,900 miles · CA

Battery was low and wouldn't start jump started the car and received a message that the seat belt restraint tensioner is bad. Has a seat belt with airbag symbol on the dash...plus the vehicle started showing a symbol with a steering wheel with arrows then the car won't start until I shake the steering wheel several times...was stranded for hours then finally it started. Bmw has very low quality and problems. This is becoming very unsafe and not sure if I want my family in this unsafe vehicle.

Filed Jun 19, 2013 · Electrical · 9,377 miles · WI

5/23/12 - vehicle would not start, needed to be jumped. Tachometer and speedometer would not function. Dealer charged battery - no fault codes found, all fuses ok, checked for power and ground - all ok. Dash cluster now operable. 6/6/13 - difficulty starting car - mileage 10151. Instrument cluster inoperable, fuel gauge, speedometer, fuel economy gauge, trip gauge reverted to almost zero. Dealer diagnosed, replaced and programmed instrument cluster, replaced battery, full maintenance performed - oil change, brake fluid, filters. Car now performs well - dealer did excellent turn around. Mileage reset at less that 10151.

Filed Sep 1, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 82,000 miles · FL

The steering column lock was yellow, then went red and would not start. My mechanic got hit to go back to yellow, took it to bmw and they said the steering column needed to be replaced. Took the car home and to another mechanic who replaced the column, but it did not resolve the issue. Everyone tells me the case needs to be replaced.

Filed Aug 28, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 80,000 miles · CA

Tried to start car, put key in, pressed start button and an amber padlock icon appeared over a steering wheel icon - car won't start.

Filed Aug 5, 2012 · Steering · 92,000 miles · GA

Today my bmw 325i was giving me a trouble symbol with a red steering wheel with a lock with the number 1 in it. I was parked at gas station getting gas and when I tried to crank the car back up it would not start. I have been reading hundreds of other blogs about people having the exact same problem. It looks like we are going to have to have a tow truck to take the car 70 miles to the nearest dealer and pay to have it fixed. This should certainly be a recall!!! Shame on you bmw for not admitting that this is a major problem. What if the steering would have locked up with my family in the car going down the road?