Steering problem with new x3

So I've had my x3 for about a month and really love it, but about a 1.5 weeks ago I started having this startling warning, "Steering Affected...Drive with caution" or something like that and basically I cannot turn my wheel. It only happened when I turned on my vehicle, not during driving, and it'd "go away" if I turned the car on and off a couple times. This happened a few times so the dealer of course took it in for a couple days.

They told me it was a battery issue and my battery was extremely low, which caused the malfunction. I was surprised. They put a new battery in, I received my vehicle two days ago, and so today, the error happens again. This time, turning the car on & off did not do the trick.

Any idea what could be going on? I'm not a high-maintenance customer, but for a 48K-ish vehicle I was hoping I could pull it out of my driveway! Anything I should say to the dealer, too? Of course, this was my first leased BMW (financed before), so to me, this is like lost rental time, especially galling when I had to cancel a road trip last week.

Thanks in advance!

User JohnBMW6 had this same problem. It's not the battery. Read here:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...t=#post6434757

Several others have as well.

here's a long discussion of the issue on another board

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=605930

Thanks. Sounds exactly like my issue...much to my chagrin.

My Steering Rack Had to be replaced on the first day of ownership
We were lucky it happened stationary and not on the move.
Get it changed quick.

My X3 has had none of that show up, BUT while I drive it seems that it starts to turn itself and i have to put some force to turn it back the other way...

Originally Posted by Jonnywoohoo

My X3 has had none of that show up, BUT while I drive it seems that it starts to turn itself and i have to put some force to turn it back the other way...

Left or Right?

Turning by itself seems odd. The computer is so sensitive though I'm wondering why it's not picking that up. I'd ask your dealer to take a look at your car.

Originally Posted by Jonnywoohoo

My X3 has had none of that show up, BUT while I drive it seems that it starts to turn itself and i have to put some force to turn it back the other way...

Is it literally turning itself, or just following the crown/ruts on the road?

This issue just started happening to our x3 once while stationary and yesterday it happened while in motion turning left into our driveway we lost steering control.
Headed to dealer this morning as this is a major safety issue.

Originally Posted by Knsgifford

This issue just started happening to our x3 once while stationary and yesterday it happened while in motion turning left into our driveway we lost steering control.
Headed to dealer this morning as this is a major safety issue.

What year is your X3?