2006 BMW 325I: steering wheel locks up

21 of the 515 complaints about the 2006 BMW 325I describe steering wheel locks up.

owner complaints: 21
of this car's complaints: 4%
typical mileage: 84,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Steering wheel locks up by model year

2006
21
2003
2
2002
1
2001
1
1993
1

What owners say

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 Jan 28, 2018 · Steering · 91,000 miles · MI

Car was driving when yellow steering column lock warning light came on while driving on street. Malfunction of integral lock sensor in steering column elv ecu hardware steering lock error steering column lock yellow color leads to red which totally renders car unable to start bmw has know bulletin sib-32-04-07

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 Apr 15, 2016 · Steering · CA

Electric steering lock.

Filed Mar 10, 2016 · Steering · 80,000 miles · NY

Steering wheel lock has malfunctioned rendering the car unstartable..car was parked with wheels facing strait ahead and upon restart the lock malfunctioned and has been stuck in the lock position.

Filed Oct 12, 2015 · Electrical, Steering · 93,000 miles · MS

Steering wheel lock prevents the starter from working. This prevents the engine from starting. I will have to replace the steering column which will cost over one thousands dollars. Bmw has not issued a recall for this problem

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Steering · 66,000 miles · NY

My vehicle is in storage for the winter I start it once a week then recently it just stop working and a steering wheel lock appeared on the dashboard I research it and thousands of people who have a bmw 325i had the same issue . I feel bmw should repair this manufacturing defect.

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 Sep 12, 2013 · Electrical, Wheels · 72,000 miles · NJ

After pushing the start button I get this message (not an error, a message): "electric steering wheel lock may prevent engine starting. Move the steering wheel so that engine can be started." so the wheel locks itself all of a sudden I have to tow the car for no reason. Now dealer is suggesting to changing a part and some other dealer says it needs to be reprogrammed. Unbelievable. Bmw doesn't even know the reason of this issue..

Filed May 28, 2013 · Steering · 66,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 325i. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the steering wheel became stuck as the steering wheel lock warning lamp illuminated. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering wheel column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 66,000.