[ivinioX7]

The steering wheel won't adjust to the previously set position. Every time I get in the car, it’s a 50/50 chance that it will level to the position it was set under my driver's profile.
When I try to lower the steering wheel to the comfortable position, it does that at intervals, lowers slightly, then stops. I have to press the lever couple of times to lower the steering wheel position. Could this be fixed via a software update, or is it more of a hardware issue?

[blutob2]

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

The steering wheel won't adjust to the previously set position. Every time I get in the car, it’s a 50/50 chance that it will level to the position it was set under my driver's profile.
When I try to lower the steering wheel to the comfortable position, it does that at intervals, lowers slightly, then stops. I have to press the lever couple of times to lower the steering wheel position. Could this be fixed via a software update, or is it more of a hardware issue?

I would check for a TSB. When I was looking thru them recently I thought I saw one for steering wheel adjustment.

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by blutob2

I would check for a TSB. When I looked through them recently, I thought I saw one for steering wheel adjustment.

Thank you for your reply. I couldn’t find it in the TSB, and checking the NHTSA came up with no result 😏

[AJP20]

I have the same experience also 2020 - half the time I have to hit the saved profile button and hold it for the column to make it to its pre-set position.

We have two profiles setup in the car w/ both used daily, though my wife hasn't noticed it not moving into position correctly on hers

We also had the plastic articulating cover (which retracts and extends to cover the gap as the column moves) replaced as one of the attachment points broke but don't think this is related

[boss460]

Currently have a 2020 that does this. It's my husband's every day vehicle and, when I select my profile, half the time it doesn't bring the steering wheel down. I just hold the seat position button on the door since that saves the steering position as well.

[thenew3]

My 2020 did this as well on software prior to 07/2022. It has worked fine since updating to 07/2022. BUT last week I got 11/2022 OTA and now it's doing this again.

[Paultattoo]

I carry my spare key in my briefcase. It took a while to figure out that sometimes the car would 'see' that key which wasn't programed.

[AJP20]

Originally Posted by thenew3

My 2020 did this as well on software prior to 07/2022. It has worked fine since updating to 07/2022. BUT last week I got 11/2022 OTA and now it's doing this again.

For ref we seeing this on the latest - 03/2023 - don’t recall if it was happening before but we were also several behind on a ‘21 image

[ivinioX7]

Originally Posted by thenew3

My 2020 did this as well on software prior to 07/2022. It has worked fine since updating to 07/2022. BUT last week I got 11/2022 OTA and now it's doing this again.

I'm convinced now that the issue is with the hardware since I've noticed a gear-grinding sound when lowering the column.
Also, when the steering wheel adjusts to its previously set position on its own, the gear-grinding sound is absent.

[Young04]

Originally Posted by AJP20

For ref we seeing this on the latest - 03/2023 - don’t recall if it was happening before but we were also several behind on a ‘21 image

My situation is the opposite of yours. My 2020 X7 (November 2019 build) was doing this before this latest update (3/2023) but has not been doing it since the update.

[ivinioX7]

9/5/23 Update after taking my car to the dealership:

I brought my car to the dealership for service last week and asked them to check a few other issues. These included a loud and sudden noise when reversing into a parking spot, which then reappeared an hour later when I pulled into a gas station. Additionally, I noticed that the GPS speed reading indicated my speedometer was off by 5 mph, indicating a faster speed than I was actually traveling. (Driving with my wife in the car put me in the "speed maniac" zone) She was not happy. Lastly, I detected a burning rubber smell around the back wheels after driving for more than 20 minutes.

As it turned out, the dealership was primarily concerned about my tires nearing the point of replacement. They had the appropriate tires in stock and saw this as an ideal opportunity for me to have all of them replaced. But of course.

I received a call from them informing me that my car was ready for pickup and that they had addressed all issues with the vehicle.

However, after picking up my car, I noticed that the steering wheel still didn't lower to its set position after starting the vehicle. Moreover, the speedometer still displayed a speed 5 mph faster than the GPS reading, and the burning rubber smell persisted during extended drives.

In essence, nothing was fixed except for the mention of my tires nearing replacement. I can't help but wonder if the tires were covered by the BMW warranty, they might have recommended replacement. Conversely, if tires were my primary concern, their response might have been, "They are still good for another 100k miles."

Throughout my life, I've owned cars from various brands, including Audi, Infiniti, and Volvo. By far, the best service and customer support I've experienced have been provided by Volkswagen dealerships. Unfortunately, I have to rate BMW's customer service as the lowest among them all.

[bagekko]

BMW displayed speed is about 2mph higher per 30mph by design, has been for at least the 40yrs I have owned them. So at actual 75mph it would read about 80mph, working as designed.

The steering wheel thing, if you get in the car and put it in D before any seat or steering wheel adjustments finish, it will stop. You then have to repeatedly press and/or hold the applicable seat memory button for it to finish everything. Mine sometimes doesn't always do the wheel perhaps in park, gave up understanding it and will just press and hold the memory button.

Originally Posted by ivinioX7

9/5/23 Update after taking my car to the dealership:

I brought my car to the dealership for service last week and asked them to check a few other issues. These included a loud and sudden noise when reversing into a parking spot, which then reappeared an hour later when I pulled into a gas station. Additionally, I noticed that the GPS speed reading indicated my speedometer was off by 5 mph, indicating a faster speed than I was actually traveling. (Driving with my wife in the car put me in the "speed maniac" zone) She was not happy. Lastly, I detected a burning rubber smell around the back wheels after driving for more than 20 minutes.

As it turned out, the dealership was primarily concerned about my tires nearing the point of replacement. They had the appropriate tires in stock and saw this as an ideal opportunity for me to have all of them replaced. But of course.

I received a call from them informing me that my car was ready for pickup and that they had addressed all issues with the vehicle.

However, after picking up my car, I noticed that the steering wheel still didn't lower to its set position after starting the vehicle. Moreover, the speedometer still displayed a speed 5 mph faster than the GPS reading, and the burning rubber smell persisted during extended drives.

In essence, nothing was fixed except for the mention of my tires nearing replacement. I can't help but wonder if the tires were covered by the BMW warranty, they might have recommended replacement. Conversely, if tires were my primary concern, their response might have been, "They are still good for another 100k miles."

Throughout my life, I've owned cars from various brands, including Audi, Infiniti, and Volvo. By far, the best service and customer support I've experienced have been provided by Volkswagen dealerships. Unfortunately, I have to rate BMW's customer service as the lowest among them all.

[ivinioX7]

I can live with the fact that the speed displayed on the speedometer is inaccurate. However, going back 40 years, this inaccuracy was caused by mechanical components such as the spinning cable all the way to the transmission. It's 2023 for God's sake, technology has evolved, and GPS should be integrated for accurate speed readings.

As for the steering wheel issue, it started after the most recent software update. I'm not sure if it's related to that or just a coincidence with a mechanical failure occurring at the same time. The steering wheel should return to its previously set position after starting the engine. While the mirrors and seats are still adjusting, the steering wheel stops its adjusting process within 0.5 seconds. To lower it manually, I have to press the lever multiple times. I would expect to encounter this kind of problem on a Kia or Tesla, but not on a vehicle with over 40 years of manufacturing experience.

Originally Posted by bagekko

BMW displayed speed is about 2mph higher per 30mph by design, has been for at least the 40yrs I have owned them. So at actual 75mph it would read about 80mph, working as designed.

The steering wheel thing, if you get in the car and put it in D before any seat or steering wheel adjustments finish, it will stop. You then have to repeatedly press and/or hold the applicable seat memory button for it to finish everything. Mine sometimes doesn't always do the wheel perhaps in park, gave up understanding it and will just press and hold the memory button.

[AJP20]

This has been a fairly commonly noted issue - position fail + occasional gear noise= column replacement. When brought similar concerns to my dealer ('20) they replaced the column and now everything works as it should.