Steering Column Problems of BMW 330

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 plaguy problem!.

See all problems of the 2006 BMW 330 🔎.

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. 00 and should have been covered by BMW, warranty or not.

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.

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 !.

Warning light appeared indicating a steering wheel lock fault. A fault code scan revealed that the steering wheel lock mechanism was in failure and would result in the steering wheel to completely lock and the vehicle would become inoperable. There have been numerous complaints regarding this defect yet Bmwna accepts no responsibility to repair it. The nature and expense of the repair is significant as the entire steering wheel column was replaced to correct the defect.

I had a bad experience this morning. When I got into my car, it wouldn't start when I pushed the start button. Instead it had an icon on the dash of the steering wheel with a lock sign on it. I pulled the fob out and put it back in a few times, trying to start the car every time, but no life. This is a very weird problem. The steering wheel lock wouldn't release. I tried to get it started for over 30 minutes, still unsuccessful. I did some research on the internet, apparently it is a common problem in the 06 and early 07 models of the 3 series. In mid-07, BMW stopped putting locks in the steering columns. Apparently, this problem has to do with the electronic lock power draw when starting the car, and a software update normally fixes the problem. If the software update does not work, BMW replaces the steering column if you are under the warranty. All my updates are done because I took it to my BMW dealer on 11/14/12 and they rechecked everything. . Read more...

I got into my car on the morning of the 29th Dec. 2011. I showed a yellow steering wheel lock code (indicating a possible problem). I drove the car after work with no problems although planning on getting the vehicle into service just to have it checked out. I pulled into the driveway and parked the car, returned to it 15 min later and it wouldnt start! after further investigation into the problem the car showed a red steering wheel lock code indicating it would no longer start. After deep investigation I find the this is a very common problem on hundreds of the same model car as mine. Most people are told to reprogram the computer and/or replace the steering column (sometimes multiple times) and then most still have problems.

The steering wheel lock would not unlock. An error message shows on the display indicating a steering wheel lock malfunction. This error would not allow for the car to start. This resulted in the entire steering wheel column needing replaced.

I own a 2006 BMW 330i. 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. Then, when the indicator light turns red, the car does not start. I first experienced the problem in 2007 and the steering column was replaced under warranty. In 2010, the yellow light started coming on again intermittently and it is now on every time I enter the car. I took the car to the local BMW dealership to be diagnosed. They tell me I need a new steering column yet again. I am out of warranty and the BMW regional is refusing to cover the steering column because a safety recall has not been issued. It costs $1428 to replace the part. Upon researching this issue online, I have discovered that BMW changed their steering columns after 2006 because of this defect with the locking mechanism.

2006 BMW 330i was fitted with a steering column equipped with a steering lock sensor that is prone to failure and may render the car safe and/or inoperable. I have this issue currently that will require over $1,000 in repairs. In addition, the steering wheel may lock up during vehicle use compromising the safety of myself and/or family. This is a chronic and recurring issue that BMW is aware of and they have taken steps to re-design the columns in 2007+ vehicles. Unfortunately, they will not recall the 2006 vehicles equipped with the columns that have this design flaw and propensity for failure. I have called BMW na multiple times to discuss but they are not willing to admit any culpability of address my concerns in a productive manner. I in speaking with my BMW parts advisor and mechanic who runs a large scale service garage, he sees many vehicles come in for this specific problem and advised that it is "only a matter of time" before a class action suit is taken against them. It is frustrating that my family is at risk because BMW will not take an ethical stance on this issue and address the shortcomings in the design of the re-designed 3-series vehicle that I have purchased. 2006 was the first year of the re-design of the 3-series and that is perhaps a contributing factor to the problem (since this is the first year that this design was employed in a vehicle). Please take this complaint seriously and check the facts by googling "e90 steering column problems" to find a wealth of information on the topic including many other people that have experienced this exact same issue and have had their safety and finances compromised. If the government doesn't keep these large auto manufacturers honest in addressing these design flaws, consumers will be subject to perpetual financial and possible physical harm. Someone shouldn't have to be injured or worse before action is taken to address the safety threat. . Most columns operate properly for the life of the vehicle.

Vehicle has been failing to start and displaying a elv steering column lock. Problem would intermittently come and go. It has now resulted in a total failure and vehicle will not start or respond. Problem is either with BMW software or steering column malfunction which has not been officially acknowledged by BMW so they won't warranty problem.