BMW 325I won't start problems

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 Mar 7, 2016 · Fuel system · 192,177 miles · CA

The fuel pumps of the super low emission vehicles (sulev) (pzev) 325i models (in ca, me, ma, ny and vt) are enclosed in the stainless steel fuel tank and there is a known 100% failure. Bmw has a 15 year/150k warranty but I am contacting you because my car has 192k and is out of warranty. For known defective material and workmanship of the fuel pump, there should have been a recall or at least notification to the owners of such vehicles. In most cases, even when under warranty the bmw dealerships gave owners difficulties and resistance when the fuel pump failed, particularly because the part alone is $6000, not including labor. As many of these sulev models are still on the road and potentially would stop running at any point when the fuel pump clogs or gets blocked, the drivers are potentially placed in danger. My 2003 325i died on the freeway going 70mph but fortunately I was able to safely maneuver to the shoulder. This could have easily caused a multi-car accident but fortunately there weren't many other cars on the freeway at the time. There was nothing I could do but coast to the side of the road. It would not start again and is basically dead in the water now. The local bmw dealership refuses to do anything since it is out of warranty. Again, although this affects later model sulev cars, I ask you to please open an investigation, as bmw should stand by their product and reputation by repairing a known defective part that affected or will affect all sulev models. Typically the fuel pump fails prior to the 150k mileage, but apparently since I rarely allow my fuel tank to go below a quarter tank, I was able to get an additional 40k. Regardless, I think a recall for this major defect is much more important than the rear lamp which did initiate a recall. Bmw should be ashamed of themselves and I will never even think of buying another bmw ever again.

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 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

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.