Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING - ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Ready | 04/25/2011 | |
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models. *rm | 04/25/2011 | |
| STEERING - HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | |||||
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Ready | 04/25/2011 | |
| SIB-32-04-07 | 06/01/2010 | 10036979 | Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models. *rm | 04/25/2011 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | |||
| 03/08/2013 | 58000 | ||
| Steering wheel lock engine is lock car can not start wow.. | |||
| 02/09/2013 | 87000 | 1 | |
| Parked at airport 6am feb 8 2012, left for overnight trip. got back next morning feb 9th 2012 at 10:30am. put key in car pressed brake to start and would not start. got 'electric steering wheel lock' error on i drive system and an yellow/amber error symbol with a steering wheel and a lock. numerous and numerous reports about this happening on bmw e90's worldwide. *tr | |||
| 02/09/2013 | 87000 | ||
| Parked at airport 6am feb 8 2012, left for overnight trip. got back next morning feb 9th 2012 at 10:30am. put key in car pressed brake to start and would not start. got 'electric steering wheel lock' error on i drive system and an yellow/amber error symbol with a steering wheel and a lock. numerous and numerous reports about this happening on bmw e90's worldwide. | |||
| 05/06/2012 | 97000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330i. the contact stated that a loud noise emitted from the steering wheel and the wheel seized. as a result, the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the elv steering lock was defective and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 99,334. | |||
| 05/06/2012 | 97000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330i. the contact stated that a loud noise emitted from the steering wheel and the wheel seized. as a result, the contact was unable to turn the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the elv steering lock was defective and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 99,334. sm. | |||
| 05/06/2012 | 97000 | ||
| Tl - the contact owns a 2006 bmw 330i. the contact stated that there was loud noise coming from the steering wheel and it locked as a result it prevent him from turning on the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the elv steering lock was defective and needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. the vehicle was repaired. the failure mileage was 97,000 and the current mileage was 99,334. pm | |||
| 02/06/2012 | 62500 | ||
| I have an amber colored steering wheel lock icon on the dashboard. i took it to the dealer and they said it is not safe to drive it because this will lock up the steering wheel. i told them if that's the case then there should be a recall and unfortunately there hasn't been one. hopefully everyone who has had this issue files a complaint with the nhtsa as this is a very serious problem and one that needs to be addressed by bmw na. | |||
| 01/01/2011 | 35000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 08/10/0006 | 10000 | ||
| The steering wheel electronic lock on the 2006 bmw 330i is defective. the steering wheel lock prevents the car from being started and even with the appropriate key, etc. it locks in error. this occurs on every attempt to start the car with the key in the ignition. this part should be recalled as their is a defective component in the vehicle. | |||
| 08/01/2011 | 20000 | ||
| 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. | |||
| 03/29/2011 | 71000 | ||
| Steering wheel lock | |||
| 02/02/2011 | 54000 | ||
| Steering wheel had random electronic lock failure. | |||
| 01/11/2011 | 84000 | ||
| 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 | |||