10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 83,623 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Electronic steering wheel lock. This is in the steering column when it fails the car will not start. It seems to be a pretty common problem. I was hoping there was a recall for this issue, but can not find one.
- Spencer, NY, USA
Steering wheel lock up light come on and lock up some time.
- Weston, MA, USA
Steering wheel locks and car wont start
- Fort Worth, TX, USA
Electronic steering wheel lock malfunctions without notice and renders the car incapable of starting. A yellow steering wheel icon (or red in some instances) appears in the informational panel on the dashboard. The accompanying error code is cc-id 187. This condition when it occurs, will not energize (disables) the ignition system and prevents the car from being started. Drivers will become stranded wherever they happen to be once the car is turned off as the error notification appears only when the car is switched off or back on. There are literally hundreds of similar and identical cases on the internet when performing a google search on this issue.
- Mt Arlington, NJ, USA
I had been using the car regularly driving to and from work. Randomly the yellow light pops up of the steering lock sign then a couple days later the car shuts down and the light turns red. The car then would not start. There was nothing I could do the car was parked at my work and was forced to get it towed to BMW.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
I went to start my BMW 330I and a warning indicator came up and said there was a steering lock malfunction. It said to move the steering wheel and start the car. I tried and tried to start the car but it just kept saying the same thing. The temperature outside was below freezing. I waited a while and tried again and it started. There are several complaints about this issue and it needs to be a recall.
- Phoenix, AZ, USA
Steering locks up.
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
The message 'steering wheel lock' came up and the car will not start. I had to pay to bring it home. BMW says 'it happens to some customers' and they asked me to bring the car to a service center for repair. I see a lot of discussions in forums about this issue. Apparently it is due to a defective lock mechanism.
- Munroe Falls, OH, USA
I just came back from a long family vacations, I was driving this vehicle all over the states! I was so lucky! this happen to me when I got home, my 2006 BMW 330I which had a steering column malfunction and failure. Malfunction of integral lock sensor in steering column necessitates replacement of entire steering column, it is a safety problem and should be covered by a BMW customer satisfaction campaign. But is not!!! the warning indicator in the instrument panel showed an icon of a steering wheel and a lock and the vehicle failed to start, I had to have the car towed to the dealership. I contacted BMW customer service, explained my problem and was told they couldn't do anything to cover this very common quality problem and would not be covered under a manufacturers customer satisfaction campaign. On the NHTSA website, there are many cases reported that there is a problem! and that's why! I am reporting this incident to NHTSA in hopes that BMW will do something for other owners as the repair bill was $1000 and should have been covered by BMW. All I think about is! if this problem happened to me while I was driving with all my family on my car! I think I got so lucky! look at; service bulletins. Youll see! service bulletin no.: sib-32-04-07 component(s): Steering BMW: A new technical process has been created for BMW to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models. ((((so! they know! about this!!!)))) make this a recall! before! this gets lock wile some one is driving and gets hurt!!!!
- Centerville, OH, USA
I own a 2006 BMW 330xi. I'm having problems with the steering column lock which prevents the car from starting. The problem starts with a yellow warning light that indicates the steering column is locked. The starting problem is constant. We are concerned we may get stranded or as some have reported the steering may lock with little or no warning. From what I can find on the internet it appears BMW is aware of the problem. Comments are bad steering column. The problem started in Feb. Of 2012 when the car only had 9000 miles and my extended warranty had just expired. The car now has 11000 miles.the dealer has not been able to help and suggested on several occasions that I contact BMW direct. The problem appears to be common from the comments posted on line by BMW owners of 2006 on. I recently contacted BMW and they suggested I have the dealership perform a diagnostic test.the test result was defective steering column.the fee for this test was $145.91. The estimate they provided to replace the steering column is $1,467.86 plus diagnostic fee of $145.91. Total cost $1,613.77. Your investigation will show the defective steering column is a common problem. As the problem persist the safety concerns become greater. Is a recall coming as this is serious highway safety concern?
- Pleasant Valley, NY, USA
This BMW has an issue with the steering column lock and on my car, the column has already been replaced. This is due to a faulty elv. In the event of a failure of the elv, the car is disabled leaving people stranded! BMW's fix for this is either a reprogram or replace the entire steering column, again in my case. This does not come cheap! BMW must be held responsible for correcting this plague problem!
- Camby, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330xi. The contact stated that the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the steering lock mechanism had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. The VIN was not available.
- Roanoke, IL, USA
I have a 2006 BMW 330I which had a steering column malfunction and failure. It is safety problem and should be covered by a BMW customer satisfaction campaign. On January 7, 2014 the temp. Was minus 15 degrees F and the warning indicator in the instrument panel showed an icon of a steering wheel and a lock and the vehicle failed to start. The owners manual says "lights up in yellow: Electric steering wheel is jammed. Move the steering wheel before starting the engine." I moved the steering, but the vehicle would not start. If this had happened while I was away from home in these minus 15 degrees F cold temp. I could have frozen before I could have received assistance. The service manager at anderson BMW in Illinois told me that the 2006 BMW 330I has had problems with the steering column malfunctioning. I had to have the car towed to the dealership which took almost 2 full days due to the cold weather in Chicago and all the cars that wouldn't start from the cold. I contacted BMW customer service, explained my problem and was told they couldn't do anything to cover this unusual quality problem under warranty. I understand it is out of warranty, but I wouldn't expect a major steering, start and interlock system failure when it is only 10,600 miles over the warranty period. As an automotive engineer responsible for quality I deal with warranty issues quite often as well as recalls with NHTSA. While many times a quality issue with a product is safety related it does not require a NHTSA recall. However, it can be covered under a manufacturers customer satisfaction campaign. From the NHTSA website, there are many cases reported that there is a problem with the 2006 BMW 330I model. I am reporting this incident to NHTSA in hopes that BMW will do something for other owners as the repair bill was $938 and should have been covered by BMW, warranty or not.
- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA
Received yellow steering wheel and lock icon when trying to start the car. Attempted using different keys, but the car would not start and the steering wheel remained immobile. I exited the car and waited about 30 minutes to try again, but received yellow steering wheel with lock icon again when putting the key fob into the vehicle. When I called the dealership, I was quoted about $1200 as soon as I described the yellow steering wheel and lock, without them having seen the vehicle. The sa also mentioned that the newer models don't even have this feature at all. I was also advised that it is not a BMW responsibility or defect, and that I would be responsible for all shop repairs and time. Doing research about this issue, I found this is a very well documented and known issue. This seems to be due to poor design by the auto manufacturer, so much so that the "feature" isn't even included on newer models of the vehicle at all.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
Malfunction of integral lock sensor in steering column necessitates replacement of entire steering column at cost of $1300. This is the second replacement in this vehicle, the first failed at 80,000 miles. Same issue with 2006 325I model at 90,000 miles. Understand that electronic sensors will always wear out and fail but this is defective engineering. The sensor should be a separate part anticipating the need to replace it from time to time. Would expect more attention to detail and more consideration for the paying customer from german engineering.
- Bamberg, SC, USA
Steering wheel lock malfunctioned as evidenced by warning light. Vehicle was immobile and required towing. Cost for repair = $1100. Repair shop said there was a core charge for the replaced upper steering column. This means that BMW is buying back the malfunctioned units to either diagnose, or they're rebuilding them and making more money. Either way, it's an known problem and BMW isn't taking the proper action to ensure owners safety.
- Marietta, GA, USA
I went to adjust the vertical position of the steering wheel, and the lever gears broke with in the steering column. Now the steering wheel moves up and down freely while driving. I called BMW and they said it's not covered under warranty and there are no recalls. I took the car to a very reputable foreign car repair shop and he said in his 50 years of fixing foreign cars, he has never seen this happen. I feel this is a very bad safety issue !
- Wall, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2006 BMW 330I. The contact stated that the electrical steering wheel lock warning lamp illuminated, preventing the vehicle from being started. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that the steering wheel lock system needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 138,320.
- Mccamey, TX, USA
I brought the vehicle in to BMW and stated that the steering wheel lock lights come on and the car will not start until a few tries. BMW could not find the problem, since then it has progressively gotten worst and reading forums, there seen to be a legitimate problem with this issue.
- Odessa, FL, USA
- Albuquerque, NM, USA