BMW X4 Steering Column Adjustment Failure Fix Needed

Hey there! I faced a similar issue with my 2018 BMW X3 last winter. The steering column adjustment failed completely, same symptoms as yours. Turned out the wiring harness connecting to the adjustment motor had frayed, causing intermittent connection issues before failing entirely. My mechanic found that rodents had damaged some of the wiring insulation, and moisture got in there too. The repair involved replacing the wiring harness and checking the motor connections. It wasn't a major mechanical issue, but definitely needed professional attention to prevent any steering system complications. The whole job took about 4 hours at the shop, including diagnostic time. This isn't something I'd recommend trying to fix yourself since it involves the steering system's electrical components. Make sure whoever works on it uses genuine BMW parts for the replacement, that's what made the difference in my case. Haven't had any issues since the repair. Hope this helps with your decision-making.

Thanks for sharing your experience! That's really helpful to know about the wiring harness issue. Would you mind telling me roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, just curious, have you noticed any other electrical quirks since getting it fixed? Been trying to budget for this repair and want to make sure I'm prepared for any potential related issues that might pop up.

Hey again! Great news, I actually got my X3's steering column adjustment fixed last week! The repair was much simpler and cheaper than I initially expected. Turns out it was just a loose cable connection that needed proper reseating and securing. The total came to 95 € for the fix, which was a huge relief compared to what I was worried it might cost. Since you asked, nope, haven't noticed any other electrical issues since the repair. Everything's working perfectly fine now. The steering column moves up and down smoothly, and all the position memory settings are working like a charm. I was pretty nervous after my experience with the rodent damage last time, but this turned out to be a much more straightforward fix. The mechanic even showed me what was wrong, sometimes these things can look scary but end up being relatively simple problems. My advice would be to get it checked out sooner rather than later. Even though my repair was minor, it's always better to address these steering-related issues quickly. Let me know if you need any other info!

What a relief to hear that! Just got back from the mechanic myself today. Took your advice and decided not to put it off any longer. Had to try a new repair shop since I wasn't happy with my usual one, and I'm so glad I did! Turns out my issue was pretty similar, just a faulty connection in the wiring that needed fixing. Took them about three hours to diagnose and repair it. Bill came to around 200 bucks including labor, which was way less than I'd been dreading. The new mechanic was super transparent, even showed me the problem and explained everything. The steering column adjustment's working perfectly now, smooth as butter. Such a weight off my shoulders! Really appreciate everyone's input here, helped me stop imagining worst-case scenarios and just get it sorted. Sometimes you just need that push to try a new mechanic, right? Thanks again for all the help. Time to enjoy my fully functioning BMW again!