Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 BMW 328i owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My wife and I have a 2007 BMW 328i. In 2010, we got in the vehicle and there was a steering wheel lock warning on the dash. We took it to get looked at and they stated it was a "fault code". We had the exact same experience in 2012 and 2014 with the same result, "fault code". We now have this icon warning again. This time we are told that the whole steering column will need to be replaced ($1200). According to many references, this is a common problem and BMW is aware of it. Also, according to several references, there is no warning or prediction when the steering wheel lock will fail in the locked position. If you are first getting into the vehicle and the steering wheel lock has failed in the locked position, it will not allow you to start the engine. The question that I have is whether the steering wheel lock can fail in the locked position while the vehicle is being driven. …
My 2007 BMW 328i is having steering wheel lock issues. I have read around the internet and this seems to be a common problem with BMW. Sometimes when I start the car it will work, other times it will not turn on unless I try pulling the key fob out and putting it back in and clicking the push to start several times. This is all because of a lever that pushes a latch the unhooks the steering column so the car can start. BMW does not sell the faulty latch and lever alone but requires the entire steering column be replaced. This is a major safety issue if a person needs to start the car and is unable to start it because if a faulty latch and lever. A simple google search of "BMW steering wheel lock" brings up hundreds of pages and videos of people having issues with their vehicles. The light on my car is yellow and not red. I checked my battery and it works perfectly fine. …
Elv electronic steering lock faulty red indicator lamp: engine will not start in jan 2013 my car (mileage 128,575)was repaired by reeves BMW in tampa, fl for faulty steering lock (a112 cas elv fault and a116 cas critical status). They replaced the steering lock (steering column) at cost of $664.17 parts and $547.88 labor = 1212.05 + taxes. I didn't realize there were hundreds of similar complaints on the internet for this same issue. Now its 9/29/16 and I have the same exact issue with the lamp indicator and my car will not start. Stranded over 1 hour from my home. BMW parts have a warranty of 2 years, so there is nothing that the service department will do. I have to pay for the same repair all over again, plus the cost of a tow. How is this ethical or even safe? With all the complaints for this BMW elv issue, there should be a recall by BMW. …
My 2007 BMW 328i is having red steering wheel warning displayed on dash. I have read around the internet and this seems to be a common problem with BMW. Requires the entire steering column be replaced. This is a major safety issue if a person needs to start the car and is unable to start it because of a faulty latch and lever. A simple google search of "BMW steering wheel lock" brings up hundreds of pages and videos of people having issues with their vehicles. The light on my car is a steering wheel lock red. I checked my battery and it works perfectly fine. The problem is a faulty steering lock. The certified BMW dealer that sold the vehicle said this is normal of bmws. Normal meaning they know it will eventually go bad and the steering column has to be replace to correct it. What, the steering column has to be replaced. …
I was out with my kids and went to park at the restaurant and when I turned off my car a steering wheel lock sign in red popped up on the dash. This was the first time I had seen this, so I turned the car back on and kept flashing. I took the manuel out to see what this was and it was the steering wheel lock. Well I figured OK I will read more about it after I had dinner with my kids. I had forgotten about it after dinner so I get in my car just like normal and then I see the red sign still. Went home and the light is still on. I had been searching for this online and I have seen so many other people with this problem. I'm afraid to drive my car now since it's what I use to take my kids to school and pick them up. I just hope the dealer can fix this since this is the first time I have seen it. It never even went from yellow to red it was just red.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 BMW 328i. The contact stated that after the vehicle was in the park position, the steering lock system failed to activate. In addition, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle began to smoke from under the hood of the vehicle. After the vehicle was parked, the contact discovered that the smoke was coming from the crank shaft. The contact also mentioned that the serpentine belt fractured causing the vehicle to stall. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock failed and that the steering lock module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was partially repaired due to the dealer not being granted approval for the repairs to be performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Since I got this car my oil was leaking. I had to replace the val cover. I can't remember how much that cost me. My steering lock module was replaced and it cost me 1,181.07. I had my belt tensioner replaced because it was bent. It cost me $327.04. This was done 3/6/2015. A recall on SRS air bag. I still have the air bag warning light. BMW recommended to replace of exhaust lifters and roller drag levers with updated unit to eliminate ticking noise at idle which will cost me 1,466.40. I need to replace alternator, belt, battery and the car won't start. I fixed the battery problem and as I was driving to work and parked the car would not start. My battery connection need to be replace. Common issue with all BMW. I will spend about 1,518.7 to fix the problem.
The vehicle had been parked in an overnight garage for about 5 days while I was traveling. When I returned and tried to start the car, I got an elv symbol (basically locked the vehicle and kept it from turning over). It essentially drained the battery which has now been replaced. I was told by the dealership that the steering column would have to be replaced. Apparently, there has been a lot of occurrences of this happening to bmws. BMW knows that this is a fault on vehicles made from 2006-2008. The cost to replace the steering column is around $1600. Because the company is aware of this problem with vehicles in these years, this is an item that should be listed as a recall.
I was driving my car one day, I made a quick stop, turned my vehicle off and went back to my car to start it and nothing. Only to find the steering lock light. My vehicle would not start no other indication of power beside interior light. I think this presents an unsafe condition, that would leave people stranded some where (thank god it wasn't my wife and 4 kids stranded with the car). Needless to say I had to get it towed to a BMW service. I am really shocked that their is not already a recall for this, with the high amount of cases I have read about on forums. I pray something can be done about this.
While driving BMW, 328i, 2007 on a heavily used highway, I attempted to make a turn to an off ramp when the steering wheel locked up. Fortunately due the angle of the wheels I missed a retaining wall and an island separating on-coming traffic. Unfortunately when I finally stopped I impeded traffic until a tow truck arrived (2 hours). This occurred at the turn-off of belt parkway (queens, ny) and van wyck expressway (entrance to jfk airport). On researching this problem on the internet I was surprised to see other bmws having the same defect.
Steering complaints in other 328i years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2007 BMW 328i?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the steering of the 2007 BMW 328i, 14% of the model year's 399 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 BMW 328i steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2007 BMW 328i, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 BMW 328i steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.