The contact owns a 2026 BMW X5. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, several warning lights illuminated, and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with an incomplete software update. The contact was informed that the software update needed to be performed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was dissatisfied with the failure and the diagnostic result. In addition, the contact stated that the system should have reverted to the original software. In addition, the contact stated that if the vehicle was in drive, the failure could have resulted in a serious situation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000.
BMW X5 steering lock-up problems
15 of the 3,177 owner complaints about the BMW X5 describe steering wheel locks up, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 15
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical mileage
- 104,000
By model year
- 20261
- 20191
- 20124
- 20113
- 20101
- 20091
- 20081
- 20022
- 20011
Often reported together
Engine failure 8Power steering loss 2Loss of power 2Warning lights 1Fire or smoke 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
Two nights ago I was at Domino’s Pizza. I put my car in reverse and the car died and the steering wheel locked up like the power steering was giving out I was able to start the car again, but still with no power steering assist and drove the car home about a mile away, but every time I slowed down or came to a stop sign or a stoplight, the car would die, and the battery light would flash on the dash and it would say charging malfunction once I got home we took a look at the engine and noticed that none of the belts were working at all and then I started to google what could possibly be the problem and a couple of different recalls came up recall number 12V550000 and that is engine and engine cooling engine diesel what the name of it is and the recall date is 1127 2012 and then the next one is 2012 BMW X5 diesel SUVs from the model year 2012 923 BMW X fives have been recalled because they have defective engine belt, tensioners and cracks that develop along the welds if the belt tensioner fails there could be a sudden loss of power steering assist that is sounds like exactly what happened to my car and then there’s another one recall number B121918 which is from September 2019 and it is called idler pulley bolt and come to find out that actually was a recall on my vehicle, but the previous owner is the one that had it repaired so I’m not sure if BMW is willing to repair it again but there’s not a lot of miles on this cards a 2012 I bought it with 95,000 miles on it and it currently only has 131,000 miles on it. I’m just hoping for some kind of resolution here this is the fifth Bmw that I bought in my lifetime and I for the most part I’ve had pretty good ultimate driving experience and good customer service and some good financing but I can’t see why just recall wouldn’t cover my vehicle. It’s currently in the shop. They’re doing a diagnostic on it and I will be getting that back later on today and I can report that back to you folks, hopefully it could be recalled. M
I was turning left on a residential street when the steering wheel locked, the brakes would not work to stop the car from going straight and the engine would not turn off when I attempted to stop the engine once realizing that everything was failing. The electrical panel went black and I collided with a residential home. Airbags deployed, EMS, fire and Police were called to the scene and the Tow truck driver noted that all systems had failed and the car basically shut off all functionality. They had to manually push the vehicle onto the flatbed tow truck. I am concerned as this issue was a safety concern while I was driving the car and it seemed all systems failed.
After sitting idle in the car for 5 minutes I decided to drive off, the steering wheel started to lock and a burning smell came from the AC, after turning off the AC the steering wheel worked normal but when turning it back on the smell came and the steering wheel locked.
I was driving my car at 35 miles per hour suddenly the car lost power steering wheel locked so it was hard to keep control of the vehicle. I tried restarting the car but with no results. A policeman had to stay behind me all the time for over an hour until a towing truck came to tow the car. Bmw diagnoste the car before with a fuel rail regulator. So I went and replaced that component still the car did not want to start!?. So I towed it to bmw after 4 days of diagnostics that they said the diagnostics itself is $1900! They came to a conclusion that the fuel high pressure pump failed and contaminated the fuel system and broke the injectors and messed up the whole fuel system. Their estimate to replace the whole is over $11000! And to just replace the failed and clean up the fuel system it will cost me over $4000. The car is only $75000 how would a major failure happen to that component. There was no misfueling, they checked the diesel and they said it is not gas and it does not have water either. I have read where other people complaining from the same issue fuel high pressure pump failure. If I were on a highway and since the car did not give any notice or message I think I would have been in an accident since the car just shut down with no warning or sign.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw x5. While the contact's wife was driving 20 MPH, she turned the steering wheel to the left and heard an abnormal noise. The steering wheel seized. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v336000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the idler pulley bolt sheared off. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 bmw x5. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized while driving at a low speed. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v173000 (steering). The contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to plaza bmw (11858 olive blvd, creve coeur, mo) where the failure was confirmed; however, the VIN had no open recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that there were no open recalls under the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
Driving down street steering wheel locked up ,car shut down,had it towed to bmw,they said engine,powertrain failed,warranty people refuse to pay to have fixed
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 bmw x5. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being reversed, the steering wheel seized and difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was towed to faulkner bmw located at: 1530 manheim pike, lancaster, pa 17601, (717) 569-4269, to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the idler pulley bolt fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v550000 (steering, engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
As I was driving a check battery light came on, I drove for approx 2 more mins as I tried to park an engine malfunction light came on. Then the steering wheel froze and I could not change gears. I blocked city street traffic for over 2 hrs before a tow truck could get me. At the time of the malfunction I was driving 15-20 MPH. Thankfully, I was not on a freeway or this would have been a major accident. I was told by bmw that the drive belt fell apart, (while I was driving) it went into the engine and destroyed the timing chain and cam system. The engine is damaged beyond repair. I feel this is a design flaw that the drive belt would destroy the engine in a matter of 2 mins and/or it is defective drive belt. The car has approx 42k miles. Bmw offered for me to pay $2800 for them to take the engine apart and investigate the engine malfunction. This car has had numerous problems since I purchased it. Attached are my service records.
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5M, X5 xDrive45e, X6 sDrive40i, X6 xDrive40i, X7 xDrive40i, X7 M50i vehicles. The steering column shaft's universal joint connection may not have been tightened to specifications, and can become loose.
- Risk
- A loose steering column shaft universal joint connection can affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, depending upon the inspection, either the bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, or the steering column shaft, universal joint, and bolt will be replaced and tightened to specifications, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 21V031000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i and X5 xDrive50i vehicles and 2020 X6M vehicles. The steering column shaft bearing plate may not have been properly attached to the vehicle, allowing it to loosen.
- Risk
- A loose bearing plate can affect the vehicle's handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering column shaft bearing plate and properly attach or replace it, as necessary, free of charge. BMW telephoned owners and all of the vehicles have been remedied. No owner notification letter is necessary. Please contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 20V434000 · Recall details
Steering: rack and pinion: rack
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i and X7 M50i vehicles. The steering rack pinion teeth may break under load, resulting in a loss of steering control.
- Risk
- A loss of steering control increases risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering rack, free of charge. The recall began August 21, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 19V631000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2012 x5 vehicles equipped with a diesel engine and 2013 x5 and x6 vehicles. Due to a machining error of the steering gear surface, power steering fluid may leak.
- Risk
- Leaking power steering fluid can spray onto hot exhaust parts, increasing the risk of an engine compartment fire.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the steering gear free of charge. The safety recall began on july 20, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 12V267000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Due to an assembly error during vehicle production, any of the three bolts that secure the pulley to the pump may have been inadequately tightened.
- Risk
- In such a case, the bolts could ultimately loosen causing the pulley to throw off the drive belt. This would result in the loss of certain engine auxiliary functions, I.e., power steering assist, water pump, or alternator. Steering effort would then be increased.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the power steering pump pulley to see if it is loose. If the pulley is not loose on the pump, the retaining bolts will be torqued to specification. If the pulley is loose, the pump, pulley, attaching bolts, and drive belt will be replaced. Owner notification began august 17, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 01V173000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. During assembly of these vehicles, the lower end of the spindle may not have been inserted completely into the coupling. In such a case, the fastening bolt used to secure the connection may not completely engage the spindle within the coupling. During driving, it would be possible for the spindle to disconnect.
- Risk
- This could result in a loss of steering capability and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the spindle to ensure proper insertion in the coupling, and, if necessary, the spindle will be fully inserted and the fastening bolt replaced. Owner notification began february 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact bmw at 1‑800‑831‑1117.
Recall number 01V030000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The nut that secures the axial joint of the left steering tie rod to the steering gear box may have not have been tightened securely. This could lead to loosening of the nut and, initially to steering wheel play and/or misalignment, as well as noise from the steering linkage. If vehicle operation continues, the tie rod could disconnect from the steering gear box.
- Risk
- If this were to occur, loss of steering control could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and re-torque the nut securing the axial joint of the left steering tie rod. If the torque of the nut is found to be loose, the right nut will also be checked and corrected if necessary, and a front wheel alignment will be performed.
Recall number 00V341000 · Recall details
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The lower steering shaft coupling includes a plastic collar which fits over the lower steering rack input shaft. This collar is pushed down onto the steering rack and tightened during assembly. On some of the affected vehicles, the collar may not have been pushed down fully onto the rack at the assembly plant.
- Risk
- Operation of the vehicle, especially in rough road conditions, can cause the clearance between the collar and the steering rack to increase to the point where the input shaft can separate from the rack, resulting in a loss of steering capability.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering rack input shaft collar for proper positioning, and reposition is necessary.
Recall number 00V010000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW X5 steering lock-up
Which BMW X5 years have steering wheel locks up problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (4 complaints), 2011 (3 complaints) and 2002 (2 complaints).
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