Today morning , suddenly the steering wheel became hard. Like when the car is off.
I stopped the car for 5 mins and then it seams to have become better. But it still may not be 100% as good as before....
Any idea , if its a mechanical issue or electronic .
Should i go to the dealer ?
Thx
2017 33KWH Rex
Model 3 Long Range
Solar ToU Plan
DC USA
Might be an electric power steering problem although I would think a warning message would be displayed. Others have reported a similar temporary loss of power steering with no explanation that I'm aware of other than buggy software.
Aloha,
Art
[22-04-25 to now] 2019 BMW i3 Imperial Blue Metallic, Giga World, Tech + Driving Assist, Heat Pump, 428 Wheels
[14-11-05 to 22-06-15] 2014 BMW i3 Arravani Grey, Giga World, Tech + Driving Assist, Parking Assist, DC Fast Charging
JuiceBox EVSE
I had this same thing happen last night. Left work, it was perfect, stopped at store. Left store, steering was heavy, notchy, did not seem to want to center itself. While going around a slow flat turn I could let go of the wheel and the car just continued in the turn. Lasted the whole 10 miles trip home.
This morning, no problem. 2017 Rex with 4500 miles.
Has anyone received a resolution to this problem? It happened to me on a turn as well and now the car is fine. Dealer can't find anything wrong, I feel this is very dangerous.
i3LINY wrote:Has anyone received a resolution to this problem? It happened to me on a turn as well and now the car is fine. Dealer can't find anything wrong, I feel this is very dangerous.
There have been quite a few reports of this problem, but only recently which makes me suspect a bug in a recent system software version. It might be time to start reporting these incidents to the NHTSA to get BMW's attention and hopefully a fix.
Aloha,
Art
[22-04-25 to now] 2019 BMW i3 Imperial Blue Metallic, Giga World, Tech + Driving Assist, Heat Pump, 428 Wheels
[14-11-05 to 22-06-15] 2014 BMW i3 Arravani Grey, Giga World, Tech + Driving Assist, Parking Assist, DC Fast Charging
JuiceBox EVSE
I've experienced this issue 2x over the last couple months. Same issue, same resolution in terms of turning the car off and restarting. I took the car in today in hopes of getting to the bottom of it but there's no fault registering in the on-board computer. Tech said they will try to replicate the problem, which is a fools' errand given how intermittent the issue is.
Sounds like we're mostly in agreement here that this is likely a software issue. I'll let you know if the dealer comes back with any more helpful info.
The steering is electric assist, which uses a steering sensor and an electric motor to help turn the wheels. My hunch is a software glitch reading from the sensor or controlling the motor or an issue with actual sensor or motor, more likely sensor. I have seen it once in 6500 miles as well. Given how it goes away with a power cycle I want to think software.
Best bet to try to recreate is mess with the steering while powering on the car and see if it is an issue with a calibration routine. If it happens during operation I am more inclined to think issue communicating with the sensor or motor. Mine occurred at power up and lasted the entire driving cycle.