The steering wheel locked and the car will not start. Can not get it out of the steering wheel lock mode that shows in the instrument cluster. I have searched the internet and find that this has and is a problem for many people who own BMW automobiles, which I consider to be very dangerous. Not to mention inconvenient since you can not start or drive the car. It happened out of the blue for no known reason. I am pretty darn upset about this! luckily I had just put the car into the garage out of the driveway. I do not know what might of happened if I was on a public street or away from my home...perhaps in a parking lot. I would be stranded since the car can not start or be driven if the wheel is locked.

- Richmond Hill, GA, USA

The steering lock malfunction light is on. This indicator light came while the car was stationary.

- Desert Hot Springs, CA, USA

From time to time I am getting a yellow warning light indicating elv blocked and sometimes preventing me from starting the car. Was on the side of the highway and was stranded many times. Very frustrating and dangerous.

- North Bellmore, NY, USA

Vehicle is displaying a steering wheel lock. A red warning light with a lock symbol (upper right hand corner) is on the panel display. This is very alarming and distracting while operating the vehicle, because you don't know if it will impact the actual steering. So far the vehicle does start up and runs normally, but the indicator is constantly on. I reviewed some of the online forums and some suggest that this fault could cause the vehicle to not start. My daughter is the one normally driving this vehicle. We are going to assist to get her another vehicle, since I don't know if this one is safe.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

Steering malfunction. Do not continue driving. Big red sign to stop car.

- Manhasset, NY, USA

About 3 months ago I bought a 2007 BMW 550I with 29,802 miles. When a large red steering lock light appeared on the dash, as well as, the center console computer had instructions "not to turn the engine off". the car operated normally just with an uncomfortable big red light on my dash. Before calling the BMW dealer I decided to do some research on the internet. I have found dozens of BMW forums referencing steering wheel lock malfunctions. Most were ranging from updating computers to steering column replacements. I took the car to the BMW dealer as he gave me a loaner and took my car for the night. The following day he called me in and told me I needed to fix this problem that would cost me $700 or the steering might lock up on me during driving. With this many similar complaints it sounds like there might be a recall on the BMW steering lock?

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The active steering malfunction takes place every time the vehicle is started. The dealership has run full diagnostics and have come up with no errors. The only solution is to replace the steering column which is in excess of $5,000. I am worried the system is going to lock up in whole and lose steering capabilities.

- Lewisville, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2007 BMW 550I series. While driving 35 mph at various speeds the power steering failed. The warning light illuminated indicating that the warning hydraulic steering malfunction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where he was told that they needed to replace the computerized steering column chip. He was informed that there would be a recall for the failure and he should wait for the recall notice before they can repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was called and stated that they knew nothing about the recall and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA