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BMW 325I steering lock-up problems

26 of the 1,367 owner complaints about the BMW 325I describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2006 model year.

owner complaints
26
worst model year
2006
typical mileage
84,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2006
    21
  • 2003
    2
  • 2002
    1
  • 2001
    1
  • 1993
    1

Often reported together

Won't start 7Stalling 2

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 Oct 30, 2014 · Engine · 91,200 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway my engine just shut off and continues to do so every time I drive my car. So, my brakes and steering lock up because the engine shuts off. My mechanic told me there was a recall dme ms45 - fc28b2, 28aa, 28ac; internal ram faults model e46 m54 with ms45.1 from 9/00 to 7/06 e83 m54 with ms45.0/ms45.1 from 9/03 to 9/06 e85 m54 with ms45.0 from 10/04 to 1/06 e60 m54 with ms45.1 from 9/03 to 3/05 situation customers may complain about a crank/no start or a rough start situation. The "service engine soon light" or the dsc light is illuminated, and one of the 3 scenarios may apply: fc 28b2 "RPM limiting reset " is stored in the dme together with one, or more of the following faults which are caused by the 28b2: fc 28ac - "nominal torque", fc 2796 - "throttle flap: adaptation wrong", fc 27a1 - "throttle flap: start check", fc 2869 - "dme self diagnostic: ram check failed". Fc 28aa "idle speed regulator" is stored in the dme. Fc 28ac "nominal torque" is stored in the dme. Cause fault codes 28b2, 28aa and 28ac indicate an internal dme ram fault. Procedure perform the appropriate dis/gt1 test modules for the 28b2, 28aa or 28ac. Replace the dme if prompted by the dis/gt1 test module results. Important: do not replace the throttle body for the throttle faults, stored in conjunction with fc28b2, even when the test plan recommends to do so. Please can I get this repaired and covered for all the cost before I kill myself or my grandchildren... At courtesy motors chico 2520 cohasset rd. Chico,ca 95973 thank you kindly

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the BMW 325I steering lock-up

Which BMW 325I years have steering wheel locks up problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2006 (21 complaints), 2003 (2 complaints) and 1993 (1 complaints).

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