Bummer everyone! My new 530i is already in the service department, because the active steering warning light keeps coming on, and the active steering is going out! Less than 600 miles on the vehicle, and have been driving it very carefully until break in is over. When the warning comes on it says Active Steering Malfunction, and then it says, Active Steering Disabled, Initialize. Took it to the service department once already, and it showed the fault, but they could find nothing wrong with it. They went over it with a fine tooth comb, and re- initialized the steering, but it keeps happening. So now I have left it there, and because the car is on such cutting edge technology, and the techs are still schooling for it, they may have to bring in an engineer for BMW. I am hoping they get it fixed, it's my first bimmer, and I must say, this is disappointing. Has anyone else had a similar problem, and did they fix it? Thanks.
Active Steering Problem with new 5er
- Thread starter Jewels530i
- Start date
![[confused]](/images/smilies/confused.png "Confused [confused]")
Jewels530i, sorry to hear you're having bad luck with your brand-new car, and I hope everything works out perfectly. But when the active steering was working fine, how did it feel? My friend drives his cousin's 745 a lot and he says the steering is absolutely amazing and that it just feels very natural.
Mr. Elussive: Thanks for the sympathy. When the active steering works, it's awesome! Can't even discribe how little effort is requires to drive, however, when it goes out, it's a lot like driving your dad's old 4 speed pickup with manual steering of the old days. LOL. Called the service department today, and they still can't figure it out, and they can't get it to malfunction. At the very least, I am getting depressed over spending so much money on the supposedly "ultimate" machine, and I can't even drive it! I am praying that they fix it soon, and right, without much ado. I'm trying to be patient, but it isn't one of my better virtues. I'm an instant gratification girl, but some things are better off not being rushed. : )
ariper79 said:
The 745 does not have active steering. If you were not implying that, please disregard this whole comment.![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
Jewels, do you have an update for us on the status of your car? BMW and Mercedes have a reputation for having problematic new cars whenever a new model is released, but it still doesn't come close to justifying the experience a new owner has to go through.
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
Jewels,
The only problem with an AFS fault at this moment is that BMW is not offering any individual replacement parts yet. The only replacement is the whole rack and motor assembly, or the module. While that sounds like an easy decision, they are both very expensive parts. I can imagine that if the dealer cannont get the fault to return, they wouldn't want to "guess" at the problem and just replace either one. I understand why your patience would run out, mine would have just the same. I guess I'm just trying to give you an idea of what the dealer is looking at.
The only problem with an AFS fault at this moment is that BMW is not offering any individual replacement parts yet. The only replacement is the whole rack and motor assembly, or the module. While that sounds like an easy decision, they are both very expensive parts. I can imagine that if the dealer cannont get the fault to return, they wouldn't want to "guess" at the problem and just replace either one. I understand why your patience would run out, mine would have just the same. I guess I'm just trying to give you an idea of what the dealer is looking at.
If I were you I would take the car and crash it through the showroom window. How does BMW create a car and sell it without having proper people at the dealerships to correctly diagnose and fix the problem? Oh wait, money some how is involved on that one. The 5 series is the only car that has the active steering, nothing else. I would ask for a new car, this is horrific that you are going through this aggravation knowing that the car only has 600 miles on it. My friend has the new 5 series and has had no problems with it and he loves it. Once you get passed this part of it deep down in there, there is a great car. Good Luck!
The car will now sit in the shop til Monday with no resolution. It barely managed to exceed 24 hours of ownership before this came up. Come Monday the car will have been in our possession for 17 days. 14 in the shop, 2 in the garage over the first weekend waiting to go to the shop, and 1 day of driving. I honestly don't see how they can make this right without replacing the car. Frankly I think it is the least they can do considering the circumstances. I was sad. I got over that and was accepting of the unfortunate situation. Now as one day after another goes by I have passed the acceptance phase and I'm pissed...
Jewels,
You seem to have been very patient, I wouldn't blame you for being pissed now!
I suggest you go kick some doors, slam some tables and raise your voice! Instill some sense of urgency in them, Otherwise you will only get your car back when they have found the solution at their convenience. I assume you are currently driving a loaner BMW from your dealer?
You seem to have been very patient, I wouldn't blame you for being pissed now!
I suggest you go kick some doors, slam some tables and raise your voice! Instill some sense of urgency in them, Otherwise you will only get your car back when they have found the solution at their convenience. I assume you are currently driving a loaner BMW from your dealer?
I would like to thank everyone for their support and replies. It has really helped to get through this trying ordeal. BMW has been really great and they are working with us. I believe now I may have the option of another car. The problem is there are none on my dealer's lot exactly like mine, and only comparable vehicles are the 545i's in order to have all the options that my car had. Of course there is the difference in price, which would be coming out of my pocket. And they don't have even one in the same color, close, but not the same. Another option is to wait another week or so and let them change all the modules until they hit pay dirt and fix the car. I suppose I could do that and get them to extend my warranty and throw in a leather jacket. LOL. The negotiations have begun though, and I will let every one know when a decision has been made as to what the end result is. Thanks again for all your support.