BMW i3 Power Steering Failure Symptoms & Solutions

Hey there! I had almost identical symptoms on my 2016 BMW i8 Hybrid last year at 142k km. The heavy steering and vibrations really concerned me. After a bad experience at one shop, I finally found a certified BMW specialist who properly diagnosed it. Turned out the power steering control module had a damaged wiring harness, the connection was loose and corroded. The symptoms matched exactly what you're describing. While it wasn't a cheap fix, it wasn't a major mechanical failure either. The repair involved replacing the harness and recalibrating the power steering system. The key is finding someone who really knows these electric power steering systems in BMW hybrids. Make sure they do a proper diagnostic scan and physically inspect the connections before replacing any major components. These symptoms don't always mean a total power steering failure. Best of luck with the repair.

Hey thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the wiring harness issue. Sounds like I might be dealing with something similar. Do you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also curious if you've had any other steering-related problems pop up since getting it fixed? I'm definitely gonna take your advice about finding someone who specializes in BMW hybrid systems. Seems like these cars need someone who really knows what they're doing!

Hey again! Great news, I got the issue sorted! You'll be happy to know it wasn't nearly as expensive as I initially feared. The certified specialist I mentioned found it was just a faulty cable connection to the power steering module, pretty similar to what I suspected. Only cost me 95 € to fix, way better than I expected! Since getting it repaired, the steering's been absolutely perfect, no more wrestling with the wheel or dealing with those annoying vibrations. It's back to that crisp, responsive feel these cars are known for. Haven't had a single steering-related issue pop up since. You're absolutely right about finding someone who knows BMWs, especially the hybrid systems. It really makes a difference when they know exactly what to look for. Just make sure whoever you go to does a proper diagnostic scan first, could save you from unnecessary expensive repairs. Let me know how it goes with yours! Always happy to share more about my experience if you need it.

Thanks for the follow-up! Just wanted to update you, I took my car to a certified BMW specialist yesterday based on your advice. You were spot on! They found a similar issue with the wiring connection. Can't believe my previous mechanic missed something so basic. The repair cost was actually pretty reasonable, around the same as what you paid. The steering now feels amazing, just like when I first got the car. Such a relief not having to wrestle with the wheel anymore! They also did a full system check while it was there and everything else looked good. Really glad I took your advice about finding someone who knows these hybrid systems well. I'll definitely be sticking with them for future maintenance. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped point me in the right direction and saved me from potentially expensive unnecessary repairs!