BMW i5 Won't Start, Steering Lock & Access System Issues

Hi there! I have some experience with EVs and actually faced something very similar with my 2022 BMW i4 (love the brand, also had an iX before). That door handle issue is super annoying, I feel your pain! Mine showed similar symptoms, and it turned out the door handle's electronic module was failing. Had to get it replaced at the workshop for about 480 Euro. It was messing with the whole access system and creating those exact steering lock problems you're describing. Before you head to the service center though, could you share which error codes you're getting? Also, does this happen with both the physical key and the digital key if you're using one? This info would help confirm if we're dealing with the same gremlin. While we wait for more details, try locking/unlocking the car several times using the physical key, sometimes this can temporarily reset the system, though it's definitely not a permanent fix.

Thanks for chiming in! My i5 just had its first service last month and has been running great until this started happening yesterday (I'm at 69245 KM). Both physical key and digital key are showing the same issue. The error code is U037E, apparently related to the access system module. I tried that lock/unlock trick you mentioned, but no luck. Good to know about your door handle experience though, I'll definitely mention that when I take it in. The whole situation is super frustrating since it's such a new car. Booked an appointment with the service center for next week. Just hoping it's something straightforward like in your case and not a major system fault. Did your car also have these complete shutdown symptoms, or was it more intermittent?

Hey again! Yeah, when this happened to my i4, it was actually pretty similar to what you're experiencing with your i5, a complete shutdown rather than just unusual glitches. Mine also started acting up out of nowhere, which was super frustrating. The error code you're getting (U037E) matches what I had too. In my case, the complete shutdown happened twice before I got it to the service center. The first time, I managed to get it working again after leaving it for about an hour, but then it happened again the next day and wouldn't budge. Honestly, the mileage on your i5 isn't particularly high, so I'm betting it's the same door handle module issue I had. The weird thing is how it affects the whole car's electronics, you wouldn't think a door handle could cause such chaos! The good news is that once they replaced the module on mine, it's been running perfectly for the past 8 months. One thing I learned from this, these new electronic door handles are way more complex than they need to be. But hey, that's modern cars for you! Let me know what the service center says. I'm curious if they'll find the same issue.

Thanks so much for all this detail, it's actually really reassuring to hear your experience was so similar! Especially good to know it's been running smoothly for 8 months after the fix. You're right about these modern door handles being unnecessarily complex, I miss the days when a door handle was just a door handle! I've taken screenshots of this conversation to show the service center when I go in next week. The fact that we had the same error code and symptoms makes me feel a bit better about the whole thing. I was worried it might be something major with the main computer system or battery, but this sounds much more manageable. I'll definitely post an update once I get it sorted. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience, it's really helped put my mind at ease while I wait for that service appointment!