There are 4 owner-reported steering complaints for the 2010 BMW 5 Seriesin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The "Secure from Rolling" alert pops up on screen and car is prevented from moving. Engine must be shut off and ignition turned back on to work. Gears/spring probably need replaced per error message.
HORN, AIR BAG AND ALL STEERING WHEEL ELECTRONICS PERMANENTLY SEASED WORKING AFTER A SNAP NOISE FROMTHE STEERING COLUMN HAPPEN, DRIVER SYSTEM RESTRAIN ERROR LIGHT CAME ON. WHILE GOING IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF PARKING SPOT THE STEERING WAS TURNED FAR LEFT TO GET INTO THE STREET. WHILE TURNING THE STEERING A NOISE THAT RESEMBLES PLASTICS BREAKING CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN COMPARTMENT AND CLICKING SOUND THAT STILL OCCURS TODAY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOTICEABLE AND CONCERNING IF STEERING IS RELIABLE AND SAFE. WHEN THE ORIGINAL CRACKING NOISE OCCURRED THE COMPUTER WENT OFF WITH A DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAILURE ERROR. SINCE THEN ALL COMPONENTS SUCH BUTTONS, HORN, CRUISE CONTROL, VOLUME, PHONE, AIR BAG ETC STOPPED WORKING. THE MOST CONCERNING COMPONENT THAT STOPPED WORKING IS THE HORN AND AIRBAG THAT OBVIOUSLY PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD AND A COMPONENT THAT IS NEEDED FOR SAFETY INSPECTION CHECKS. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 44000 MILES TOTAL AND THE COMPONENTS FAILURE CANNOT BE BLAMED TO DRIVER IMPROPER USE OF THE CAR THAT CAN BE FILED WITH INSURANCE. THE STEERING COLUMN ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS INVOLVING AIR BAGS, HORN AND OTHERS SHOULD BE RELIABLE AND STAY WORKING FOR MUCH LONGER THAN 44K MILES AND SHOULD BE A RECALL AT THE DEALERS EXPENSE. A BMW MASTER MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THESE A REPLACEABLE COMPONENTS THAT GO INSIDE THAT STEERING COLUMN COMPARTMENT THAT ARE KNOWN FOR BREAKING AND THAT BMW HAS COME OUT WITH SEVERAL "IMPROVED VERSIONS" OF THE COMPONENT SINCE THE CAR FIRST WAS RELEASED IN 2010.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING BMW 535 XI 2010 MODEL AND VIN NUMBER IS [XXX] ON HIGHWAY SUDDENLY "BATTERY MALFUNCTION" SHOWED; SHE WANT TO TAKES CAR ON SHOULDER BUT STEERING STOPPED WORKING. FINALLY SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR IN ONE OF REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP TOLD THE BELT TIED WITH STEERING WAS JAMMED AND IN BROKEN CONDITION. IT WAS LIFE THREAT AND THERE IS NO SIGNAL ON THIS. BOUGHT THIS KIND OF EXPENSIVE CAR AND THERE IS NO SAFETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
CAR HAS STEERED TO RIGHT SINCE IT WAS DELIVERED. BMW HAS CONTENDED THAT THIS WAS A SOFTWARE ISSUE FROM THE BEGINNING. AS OF 8/24/10 I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE SOFTWARE FIX WAS DELIVERED TO BMW NA BUT THE FIX DOES NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. SO THE CAR STILL PULLS STRONGLY TO THE RIGHT, IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY BMW! *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026