BMW i5 Steering Wheel Failure Triggers Multiple Warnings

Hi there! I had a similar issue with my 2022 BMW iX last year. I have some experience working on cars but this was definitely something I needed professional help with. My steering wheel controls died completely, got those same warnings too. Turned out the cable connection inside the steering wheel was faulty. Took it to my workshop and they diagnosed it pretty quickly, they had to partially disassemble the steering wheel to access and replace the defective wiring harness. Cost me 95 Euro and it's been working perfectly since then. Could you share more details about your i5, like the exact warning messages you're getting and when did this start happening? This info would help understand if it's the same issue I faced with my iX. Just a heads up to be careful with airbag-related warnings, best to get it checked ASAP at a qualified workshop that knows BMW EVs well.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My issue started just yesterday while driving. The warnings popped up suddenly, "Steering Assist not available," "Driver Assistance deactivated," and the airbag warning light. My i5 has 111577 KM on it and just had its service last month. The steering itself works fine mechanically, but none of the buttons respond, no volume control, no cruise control, nothing. Really hoping it's just a wiring issue like yours and not the entire module. Will definitely have it checked out professionally since the airbag warning is concerning. Did your workshop mention if this is a common problem with BMW EVs?

Hey there again! Thanks for those additional details about your i5. Now that you mention the sudden appearance of warnings while driving, it definitely sounds similar to what I experienced with my iX. In my case, the workshop actually told me that this specific issue isn't really common, but when it happens, it's usually related to the wiring harness in the steering wheel. They mentioned they've seen a few cases across different BMW EV models. The fact that your car was recently serviced is interesting, sometimes these issues can pop up if something wasn't properly reconnected during maintenance. One thing I forgot to mention in my previous reply, before taking it to the workshop, I tried disconnecting the battery for about 15 minutes to see if it would reset the system. Didn't work for me, but might be worth trying while you wait for your workshop appointment. Just be careful with the battery disconnect procedure on EVs. Since your symptoms are identical to what I experienced, the same warnings and non-responsive buttons with normal mechanical steering, I'd bet it's the same wiring harness issue. The good news is that if it is the same problem, it's a relatively straightforward fix. My repair only took about two hours at the workshop. Keep us posted on what they find, I'm curious to know if it's the same issue!

Thanks so much for all the detailed information! Really helpful to know that the repair was relatively quick and straightforward in your case. I actually tried the battery disconnect trick you mentioned before seeing your reply, but like you, had no luck with that either. I've booked my i5 in for tomorrow morning at the workshop. You've definitely put my mind at ease about the potential cause, those identical symptoms make me think you're right about the wiring harness. Was getting worried it might be something more serious with the airbag system itself. I'll definitely update the thread once I get it back from the workshop. Thanks again for sharing your experience, especially the heads up about checking for proper connections after service work. If anyone else runs into this issue in the future, at least they'll have our experiences to reference!