Steering lock symbol on 120d

[MitchT]

When the OH and I got in her 120d this morning and she put the key in the slot a picture of a steering wheel with a lock symbol appeared on the little screen in the instrument binnacle. The car wouldn’t start. After she removed the key and re-inserted it the same happened. After a further attempt the car behaved as normal – no symbol and the engine started. Does anyone know what the problem is likely to be and if there’s a big bill on its way?

[6BMW]

This is common on all BMW's with push button start. The steering lock sometimes fails to disengage which causes this error warning. A slight move of the steering wheel when trying to start solves the problem. Nothing to worry about

[MitchT]

That makes sense. I have an older BMW and sometimes I can't turn the key to undo the steering lock without wiggling the steering wheel a bit. I guess it's just the same as that.

[TheEnd]

It's an awkward problem, sometimes it'll go away, sometimes an BMW software update will shut it up, other times it may need a new steering column.

[6BMW]

I've had 535d, 530d, 120d, and now a 650i and have experienced this a few times on each car but I've never needed to replace anything so far.

[bikealarmblair]

Common prob have a look on babybmw happens to moat series usually requires a new steering column & software update, it's not cheap trust. me!!