2007 BMW 328XI: steering wheel locks up

Filed Dec 29, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NY

Possible Class Action Law Suit knowingly neglect, mislead, purposely avoiding known recall & obvious risks of possible LIFE / PROPERTY LOST 08/2012, NYS Bear Mt Parks Camp ground Unknown reason Low battery resulted locked steering, stranded tow $450 /park+$450 tow truck to Shop E141st Bronx Friend a Westchester BMW dealer mechanic 1988~2019 (Will testify): official instruction to replace Steering column $2000-3000 job, replaced on the street, can't start w dealer computer+ $300 towed to Bronx BMW specialist & reset/ started for $450 2012 not much info online As my VIN isn’t on the recall list, I was not aware of the other identical recalled issue til it happened again in 2015(?2016, can confirm w the NY Westchester BMW dealer parts receipt) Paid another $2000+ much nightmare only to realized the issue can easily be reset by any mechanic computer then restarted. BMW dealer still maintain its instruction to their dealer mechanic to replace knowingly HIDING the fact that it should have been recalled & avoided 2016 (have receipt) At 70k Miles Transmission rebuilt, specialist said broken fragments of gears resulting in irreparable damages 2017 Corroded Fuse box nr passenger side replaced $680 2019 After stopping, car barely cranks over & white smoke observed under hood in front of passenger waited 30 minute to start Days later car won’t start, the wire leading to fuse burnt off, lost all power $300 tow home +$350 replace wire $4580 since 2020 low battery all year, car sluggish due to sudden lost of power. 2021 Engine shaking violently, drives shaky & unstable jerks, pulled over Towed $280 steering lock symbol shown Car on driveway realized my VIN was not included in this 2013 recall of 570,000 cars for the same defect numerous reported URGENT life/ Property threats to highway safety for years: sudden lost of power (No hazard light) on LEFT Lane of Highways Entire car engulfed in flames in minutes w toddlers inside car barely escaping Air bags popping while in motion..

Filed Aug 8, 2021 · Steering · IL

Dashboard indicates, "electric steering lock engaged". Car is currently drivable, however the dealer has informed me that this has happened often in this year and model of bmw, and will continue to worsen until the car will no longer turn on. The malfunctioning feature (steering wheel lock) has been removed from subsequent models, indicating that the manufacturer recognizes the malfunction. Repair includes replacement of the entire steering column, cost to repair is approximately $1300.

Filed May 18, 2018 · Electrical, Steering · 122,000 miles · TX

Bmw would not start causing me to jump start my car. Upon starting my car, message on screen says that steering wheel lock malfunction. This happened today, may 18,2018 at 3:30. The car was stationary.

Filed May 3, 2017 · Steering · NY

I have a 2007 bmw 328i. In 2010, I got in the vehicle and there was a steering wheel lock warning on the dash. Car will not even turn over...everything is locked up.. Told that the whole steering column will need to be replaced ($1500). According to many references, this is a common problem and bmw is aware of it. Also, according to several references, there is no warning or prediction when the steering wheel lock will fail in the locked position. If you are first getting into the vehicle and the steering wheel lock has failed in the locked position, it will not allow you to start the engine. The question that I have is whether the steering wheel lock can fail in the locked position while the vehicle is being driven. Apparently, this question has been raised by numerous people. I have asked this question to the dealership as well as several bmw websites. The results are, they don't know or the answers have been inconsistent and often contradictory. Aside from this particular problem being far too frequent to ignore by bmw, this appears to be a very real safety concern. Bmw continues to ignore this problem.

Filed Feb 15, 2017 · Steering · 10 miles · NY

I had the red steering wheel lock on my car about 2 week ago. I been driving with it on for about 2 weeks, because I was not able to get into the dealer. It always started for me, but I feel my steering getting hard. And I see on bmw form that car need to get replace the steering column. And my car isn't covered under warranty, and would have cost about 1k otherwise. And I see a lot of cars with this problem.

Filed Jul 29, 2015 · Steering · 70,000 miles · NY

Electronic steering wheel lock malfunciton. Vehicle cannot start. Steering wheel column needs to be replaced and software upgraded.

Filed Jul 1, 2015 · Steering · 133,000 miles · NY

Drove to mall. Parked car. Came back out to a red steering wheel with a padlock on the dash. I put the key in the car. Pressed the button, car would not start. Tried to unlock the steering wheel but it would not budge. I searched the symbol to find out this is a common problem "intermittent ir immediate steering wheel lockout". I had the car towed to the dealer because this is what bmw said was the only option. Diagnosis need a new steering column. No warning. No steering issues. No visible damage. Just automatically locked out and left stranded.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · 80,000 miles · TX

Riding down the highway and a warning light comes on stating steering wheel locked, so I pulled off the road and turned the power off to read up on the warning lights, I got a locked steering wheel and car would not start.

Filed Oct 6, 2014 · Steering · 28,000 miles · IL

Vehicle has a constant steering wheel lock warning. The steering wheel does not actually lock, but the warning is constant. Dealer has stated that the only remedy is to replace the steering wheel column.

Filed Dec 4, 2013 · Steering · 46,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 bmw 328xi. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the electronic steering lock (elv) in the steering column malfunctioned and the steering component needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 46,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2013 · Engine, Steering · 10,000 miles · NY

Upon trying to start car, control message came on said steering wheel locked, engine will not start. Turn wheel to start engine. This did not work, many tries!. Car is not running. In checking the internet, for a solution, I find many with the same complaint for the same model & even year bmw. Something sounds fishy. There was just a recall on the 3 series for some short involving fuse box to back of car written up in my local newspaper. Bmw said my car is not involved. Could these two issues be related? I have maintained my car per recommended schedule! Bmw of north america said the wheel lock problem is not warranteed nor is it a recall issue. Sounds like too many people having this same problem for this not to be a defect that should be fixed by bmw at no charge to the customer. Please investigate and advise!

Filed Feb 3, 2013 · Steering · 34,000 miles · MA

A red steering wheel and lock appeared on the dash of my 2007 328xi which displays "steering wheel lock" alert and reads that the car should not be turned off or engine may fail to start. This appears to be an ongoing issue with this model which is quite expensive to fix. The manufacturer should be held responsible to fix this known defect as it is quite common in this model and there are many similar complaints regarding the same issue.