BMW i5 Power Steering Failure Strikes Early Owners

Hey there! I actually had a similar issue with my 2021 BMW iX3 last year. The power steering column adjustment completely died on me too. Turned out it was a faulty wiring harness connector at the steering column, some pins had corroded causing intermittent connection issues. My mechanic found that water had somehow gotten into the connector housing, which isn't supposed to happen. Since these EVs have lots of sensitive electronics, even minor connection issues can trigger error codes. In my case, it was actually a serious problem that needed immediate attention because it could have affected other steering column electronics if left unfixed. The repair involved replacing the entire wiring harness assembly. When talking to your mechanic, make sure they specifically check the connector pins and wiring harness for any signs of corrosion or water ingress. Also, have them verify if the steering column motor itself is responding to commands when directly powered. These checks will help narrow down if it's just a connection issue or something more complex. Since your i5 is so new, this should definitely be covered under warranty. I'd take it straight to a BMW dealer for this one.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That sounds exactly like what I'm dealing with. Really helpful to know about the wiring harness issue. Would you mind telling me roughly how much the repair ended up costing you? Also curious if you've had any other electrical gremlins pop up since getting it fixed? BTW, Solid advice about checking those connector pins. Definitely gonna bring that up when I take it in.

Hey again! Good news, I got my steering column issue sorted out! Took your advice about specifically mentioning the connector pins to the mechanic, and you were spot on. They found a dodgy cable connection that was causing the whole problem. Only cost me 95€ to fix, which was way less than I was expecting after my previous wiring harness drama. The electric steering column adjustment is working perfectly now, smooth as butter! And to answer your question about other electrical issues, nope, haven't had a single problem since getting it fixed. My iX3 has been running like a dream. The mechanic did a thorough job checking all the surrounding connections while they were in there, so that probably helped prevent any future issues. Honestly, it's such a relief when these things turn out to be simpler (and cheaper!) than expected. Hope you get yours sorted just as easily!

What a relief to hear back about your repair experience! I actually just got my i5 back from the shop yesterday. You're not gonna believe it, same exact issue you had with the cable connection. The mechanic found the problem right away when I mentioned checking the connector pins. My fix was even cheaper, just under €80 since it only needed a minor repair and reconnection. The steering column's working perfectly now. Such a weight off my shoulders! Can't believe I was so worried about it being something major. Funny how these fancy electric cars sometimes just need a simple fix. Really glad I asked here before assuming the worst. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction, saved me from what could've been an expensive wild goose chase with my old mechanic! Talk about a happy ending, finally found a reliable mechanic too. Guess good things do come from bad situations sometimes.