2004 BMW Z4

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/23/2016· STEERING

  IN WARMER WEATHER, THE STEERING BECOMES "STICKY". IT SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VERY DIFFICULT TO CORRECT THE STEERING WHILE DRIVING. IT'S NOT SMOOTH AS IT SHOULD BE. VERY DANGEROUS AND NOT FUN TO DRIVE! I'VE READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. JUST GOOGLE IT! SOUNDS LIKE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/22/2020· STEERING

  UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2005 BMW Z4. IT IS COMPLETELY UNSTABLE. FOR INSTANCE: 1)IT KEEPS PULLING TO THE LEFT, OR TO THE RIGHT. IT REQUIRES CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS SO THAT I COULD KEEP THE CAR ALIGNED, OR CENTERED. 2)I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS TO THE LEFT, OR TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE ROAD SURFACE IS SLIGHTINGLY UNEVEN. I CAN NEVER PREDICT WHICH WAY THE CAR PULLS ME. I STRUGGLE A LOT TO KEEP THE STEERING CENTERED WHEN STOPPING AT ANY RED LIGHTS. 3) SOMETIMES, THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK

• 12/21/2015· STEERING

  THE CAR HAS A DANGEROUS STICKY STEERING PROBLEM. VERY NOTCHY STEERING, DIFFICULT TO KEEP ON THE ROAD. MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED.

• 12/21/2010· STEERING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND TRYING TO MAKE A TURN, IT SUDDENLY BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 28,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/18/2014· STEERING

  WHEN TURNING STEERING, THE STEERING STACKS. NOT ALL THE TIME BUT IT GOT WORSE RECENTLY SO THAT IT BECOME VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

• 12/18/2013· STEERING

  STEERING BECOMES DANGEROUSLY SLOPPY AND TWITCHY AT SPEEDS OVER 35MPH. CORRECTING THE STICKY STEERING CAUSES AN OVER-CORRECTION AND WEAVING ON THE HIGHWAY MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY THOUSANDS OF BMW OWNERS, YET NOTHING SEEMS TO BE IN THE WORKS TO ADDRESS. *TR

• 12/17/2014· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

• 12/15/2009· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A NOTCHY SENSATION. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING COLUMN . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 01/12/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/13/10

• 12/15/2009· STEERING

  STEERING FEELS "STICKY" SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS FILED, PREVIOUS ODI CASE NUMBER 10288772 REPORTED 06/30/09. ON 11 NOVEMBER 09 MILEAGE 82,745, ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILED COMPLETELY, WARNING LIGHT ON DASH, CAR STILL DRIVABLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING FOR LIMITED DISTANCE TO DEALER. CAUSE FOUND TO BE CODE 611C3 FAILED EPS UNIT. REPAIR WAS STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT & REPROGRAMMING IAW SIB32-06-05. ALL PREVIOUS PROBLEMS ARE GONE, CAR STEERS LIKE BRAND NEW, DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I'D BEEN MISSING. REPAIR COST WAS $50 DEDUCTIBLE UNDER EXTENDED BMW FACTORY WARRANTY, NO IDEA OF ACTUAL RETAIL COST. *TR

• 12/15/2008· STEERING

  2004 Z4 - I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN WARM WEATHER 70 DEGREES OR MORE WERE MY CAR STEERING LOSES "TENSION". IN OTHER WORDS THE STEERING WILL BECOME LOOSE. WHEN TURNING STEER LEFT OR RIGHT, THE CAR HESITATE TO REACT FOR APPROX. 2 TO 3 SECONDS. IT CONTINUES STRAIGHT UNTIL SECONDS LATER IT WILL "ENGAGE". *TR

• 12/14/2009· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 95 IN SOUTH FLORIDA THE STEERING BOUND, (TIGHTENED) MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN GOOD CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE PERSISTENT IN HOTTER TEMPERATURES WHILE LESS EVIDENT WHEN THE CAR IS COOLER. *TR

• 12/13/2011· STEERING

  I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 BMW Z4. I NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THAT THE STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHILE TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT PATH, THE STEERING GETS "STUCK" AND YOU NEED TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, OR EVEN TO CHANGE LANES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ACTION AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND INDY WHOLESALE DIRECT, THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM. NEITHER ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO HELP IN THIS SITUATION AND BOTH HAVE IGNORED MY COMPLAINTS. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED WITH THE NHTSA. I DID NOT GET A RESPONSE FROM MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. *TR

• 12/12/2015· STEERINGFire

  FOR ABOUT THE LAST FIVE THOUSAND MILES, MY STEERING HAS DEVELOPED THE DANGEROUS STEERING CONDITION( DESCRIBED BY LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OWNERS IN BLOGS AND VARIOUS POSTINGS-JUST DO A SEARCH FOR "Z4 STEERING PROBLEM") THAT EXISTS IN 2003-2005 BMW Z4 ROADSTERS. AT FIRST, THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ONLY ON VERY HOT DAYS (AS DESCRIBED MY MANY OTHERS). NOW, IT AFFECTS ALL ASPECTS OF DRIVING, MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. STEERING REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER. I HAVE REPLACED TIRES TWICE AND HAD SEVERAL ALIGNMENTS WITH NO EFFECT. IF EVER THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL THIS IS IT. THE DEAD STEERING DESCRIBED IS MOST EVIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (50-70MPH)

• 12/11/2018· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE STEERING UNLOCKED ON ITS OWN AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES OF DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AN INDIVIDUAL BACK IN APRIL OF 2018 AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVER SINCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF CHATTANOOGA (6806 E BRAINERD ROAD, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

• 12/06/2010· STEERING

  2004 BMW Z4 - REGARDLESS OF THE CONDITIONS, THE STEERING WHEEL IS "NOTCHY" OR STICKY WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. NATURALLY, WHEN DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO MAKE MINOR ROTATIONAL MOVEMENTS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO REMAIN IN A DRIVING LANE. IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE WITH THIS STICKY STEERING WHEEL, EXTRA FORCE IS REQUIRED TO ROTATE THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SWERVE SLIGHTLY. THIS PROBLEM IS A MAJOR CONCERN AS SOMETIMES IT BECOMES PROBLEMATIC AND DANGEROUS WHEN THE WHEEL STICKS AROUND TURNS AND NARROWS LANES. DEALERSHIP STATES THIS IS "NORMAL" AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *TR

• 12/04/2009· STEERING

  STEERING IS "STICKY" AND HAS MOMENTARY FAILURES WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT HIGH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES (OVER 80F). CONTINUOUS FAILURES AS STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. DEALERSHIP DENIES KNOWING OF PROBLEM, OR CANNOT DUPLICATE FAILURES. THIS AN EXTREME HAZARD. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENTS YET. *TR

• 12/04/2008· STEERING

  2004 BMW Z-4 , STEERING PROBLEM. FEELS LIKE STEERING LOCKS UP OR BINDS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FORCE MUST BE APPLIED TO OVERCOME LOCK-UP. IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE CAR SMOOTHLY, CHANGE LANES, PASS OTHER CARS. I PURCHASED THE CAR USED WITH ONLY 21,000 MILES, BUT WARRANTY WAS UP IN 6/2008, PURCHASED IN 8/2008. TOM BUSH BMW OF JACKSONVILLE SAYS CAR NEEDS A STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $2575.08 COST TO ME. I FEEL PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON THE CAR SINCE PURCHASED NEW. CAR CAME FROM OFF LEASE IN OHIO AND DRIVEN ONLY LIMITED AMOUNT. STEERING LOCKUP MORE NOTICEABLE ON WARM TO HOT DAYS, WHICH IS WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR HERE IN FLORIDA. PLEASE OFFER ASSISTANCE. CAR SEEMS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

• 12/02/2012· STEERING

  THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK WHILE DRIVING AND CAR DOESN'T STAY IN LANE INFACT NEEDS CONSTANT SIGNIFICANT ADJUSTMENTS TO KEEP IT FROM ACCIDENTALLY GETTING INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE ISSUE HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WAS AN INCONVENIENCE SO I DIDN'T PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION BUT IT'S MORE LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE NOW WITH CONTROLLING THE CAR BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT ON FREEWAYS. NHTSA HAS IDENTIFIED THIS ISSUE PE10020 AS NOT SIGNIFICANT AND I SINCERELY HOPE THEY INVESTIGATE IT FURTHER AND TAKE SOME SERIOUS ACTION BEFORE IT CAUSES IRREPARABLE LOSS. BMW NEEDS TO OWN UP TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS ITS NOT WEAR AND TEAR AND FIX THIS. *TR

• 11/30/2016· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. THE CONTACT OVERPOWERED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT LANE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS REALLY HOT IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

• 11/28/2015· STEERING

  REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO YOU IN 2006--ODI 10496814- STICKY STEERING-WHICH CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO JERK THE WHEEL HARD AND LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE- I HAVE READ THERE ARE WELL OVER 100 COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM- BMW HAS, SOME AT MY COST, REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN TWICE AND NOW WHAT TO DO THE 3RD TIME, AT MY COST. THIS WOULD MAKE FOUR COLUMNS, COUNTING THE ORIGINAL ONE, AND THIS CAR ONLY HAS 14,000 MILES. THERE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THERE ENGINEERING ON THIS PROBLEM. MY UNDERSTANDING, THERE IS A UNSEALED BEARING INSIDE THE COLUMN THAT FAILS. YOU CANNOT REPLACE THE BEARING-BMW DOES NOT LIST THIS AS A PART. IT IS ABOUT TIME THAT NHTSA FIND A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEBODY IS HURT OR KILLED. IN 2010 THE USA REPORTED OVER 107 COMPLAINTS AND ONE CRASH.

• 11/28/2013· STEERING

  AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HAD TO TURN DUE TO A CURVE IN THE ROAD, THE STEERING WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. I HAD TO FORCE THE STEERING BACK TO CENTER. THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER CAR. THE STEERING IS VERY JERKY,, IT STICKS IN ONE SPOT. UNTIL YOU FORCE IT WHERE YOU NEED IT TO BE. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS NOW HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND IS GETTING WORSE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE, THE HOTTER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS. *TR

• 11/25/2011· STEERING

  DRIVING ON A 70 DEGREE FALL DAY ON INTERSTATE 70, NEAR ST. LOUIS, THE STEERING BECAME LOCKED IN A CENTER POSITION. I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 65 TO 70 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I HAD TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET IT OFF CENTER TO MAKE A TURN. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BEFORE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION. JERKING A STEERING WHEEL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY IS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE AND, TO SAY THE LEAST, VERY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I AM TRULY NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE OR LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK. *TR

• 11/23/2014· STEERING

  THE VEHICLE STEERING DEVELOPED A STICKY AREA THAT WAS VERY HARD TO GET PAST. THE STEERING WAS VERY HARD TO TURN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IT CONTINUED AND I SLOWED SO ANOTHER ACCIDENT DOES NOT OCCUR. THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED AT LOW SPEEDS ,BUT NOT AS BAD. I JUST GOT THE CAR AND WAS DRIVING HOME. *TR

• 11/22/2012· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING LOCKS IN PLACE. WHEN U TRY TO FORCE IT THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE STEERING STAYS LOCKED .. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! *TR

• 11/21/2010· STEERING

  2004 BMW Z4 'STICKY STEERING'; FOLLOW UP TO EARLIER COMPLAINT, IN RESPONSE TO BMW LETTER OF 9/24. BMW DESCRIBES THE CONDITION AS A GRADUAL INCREASE IN STEERING EFFORT NOTICEABLE WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST DRIVEN OFF, AND NOT A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EFFORT. THIS IS INCORRECT. NOT A GRADUAL INCREASE IN EFFORT, BUT AN UNEXPECTED 'CATCH' THAT OCCURS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN CHANGING LANES. *TR

• 11/21/2005· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING WITH TOP DOWN IN COLD WEATHER WITH HEAT ON HIGH, STEERING BECAME STICKY/NOTCHY. I COULDN'T MAKE SMOOTH STEERING CORRECTIONS, ONLY COURSE ONES. AFTER CAR WAS ALLOWED TO COOL OVERNIGHT, PROBLEM WENT AWAY. *JB

• 11/21/2005· STEERING

  IN HOT WEATHER OR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEFT IN SUN FOR A FEW HOURS STEERING BECOMES STICKY AND JERKY. MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE AND CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO KEEP CAR ON COURSE. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ENTER AND EXIT SLIGHT TURNS, CHANGE LANES, ETC. *JB

• 11/14/2013· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 222,000.

• 11/14/2012· STEERING

  FOR SOME TIME MY BMW Z4 2004 HAS BEEN HAVING A "NOTCHY" FEEL TO THE STEERING. TODAY IT CAME TO A HEAD AS THE STEERING COMPLETELY LOCKED ON ME. I WAS 2 BLOCKS FROM HOME AFTER JUST EXITING A MAIN HIGH WAY I DRIVE EVERY DAY TO AND FROM WORK. I AM SO LUCKY I WAS ALREADY OFF THE MAIN ROAD OR A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE HAPPEND. NO STEERING, COMPLETELY LOCKED. I HAVE DONE MANY INTERNET SEARCHES AND APARENTLY I'M ONE OF MANY THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. FIX THE ISSUE BMW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR

• 11/12/2012· STEERING

  I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR AND THE DEALER TALKED ABOUT A STEERING ISSUE WITH THE Z4 MODELS WHERE THEY DON'T FEEL LIKE THE STEERING WILL CENTER. I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO PUT MILES ON THE CAR UNTIL TODAY WHERE I FOUND OUT WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND HAD TIME TO RESEARCH IT. THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE AND IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE INVESTIGATED IT PREVIOUSLY BUT IT STILL IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM AND MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING AFTER THE CAR IS WARMED UP THE STEERING WILL FEEL AS THOUGH IT STICKS AS YOU TRY TO DRIVE A STRAIGHT LINE. AT AROUND 40+MPH THE CAR WILL PULL RIGHT OR LEFT WITH THE STEERING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ADJUST TO CENTER. YOU CAN HAVE THE CAR PULLING TO ONE SIDE, SAY TRAVELING AT 60MPH, IT WILL PULL YOU TO THE RIGHT AT A RATE OF 2 FEET FOR EVERY SECOND. YOU HAVE TO NUDGE THE STEERING WHEEL AS IT IS NOT FLUID (FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK) BACK TO THE LEFT AND THEN IT WILL PULL LEFT AT THE SAME RATE. IT IS A BATTLE OF CONSTANT ADJUSTMENT TO FIGHT IN TRYING TO CENTER THE CAR. IF YOU HAVE TRAFFIC AROUND YOU IT COULD BE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I REQUEST THAT THIS ISSUE IS RE-OPENED AS A SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE REVIEWED THE INFORMATION YOU RECEIVED FROM BMW REGARDING STEERING WARRANTY CLAIMS AND WITH JUST OVER 12,000 BMW Z4'S PRODUCED AND NEARLY 10% (1,1XX) OF THEM HAVING A FILED CLAIM REGARDING STEERING ISSUES, ONE WOULD SEE THAT THIS IS A MAJOR FLAW. WARRANTY WORK IS NOT ALWAYS REQUESTED, THUS WHY THERE ARE STILL MORE ON THE STREET THAT NEED HIGH COST REPAIRS AND CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE DRIVER/PASSENGER AS WELL AS SURROUNDING VEHICLES. *TR

• 11/07/2022· STEERING

  Component or system failed: Steering Column. It is available for inspection. Safety or the safety of others put at risk: When driving the steering column will lock or stick into place until it is forced back into a normal driving position. This consistently occurs when driving on a corner or making slight steering adjustments on a straight road. Has the problem been reproduced by a dealer: UNKNOWN Has the vehicle or component been inspected: UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps: None

• 11/07/2014· AIR BAGS

  TAKATA AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AND MAKES A TICKING NOISE. *TR

• 11/07/2010· STEERING

  A YEAR OR SO AGO I NOTICED THE STEERING ON MY BMW Z4 WOULD GET "NOTCHY" AND FEEL "STICKY" AT THE END OF THE DAY. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I FOUND IT ODD THIS WOULD BE BROUGHT ON BY TIME IN THE SUN, BUT AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. UNFORTUNATELY IT APPEARED EXPERIENCES WITH BMW SERVICE VARIED, AND SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY A "FIX" WOULD BE A REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE TUNE OF 3-4 THOUSAND DOLLARS. WHEN I HEARD THIS ISSUE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION I DECIDED TO WAIT FOR A DECISION AS IT SEEMED LIKELY SUCH ISSUES WITH STEERING WOULD BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE FOLLOWED THE CASE CLOSELY AND HAVE BEEN READING BMW'S RESPONSES TO NHTSA. SEVERAL OF THEIR ARGUMENTS AGAINST ADDRESSING THIS ARE ESPECIALLY DISTURBING. BMW APPEARS TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE, BUT CLAIMS THE EFFECT IS "MINOR". I AM NOT AN EXPERT AND CANNOT SAY WHETHER IT PRESENTS RISK, BUT AS A DRIVER I CAN TELL YOU ANY STEERING EFFECTS ARE DISTURBING AND DISTRACTING. BMW CLAIMS THE EFFECT ONLY OCCURS DURING SPECIFIC/LIMITED CONDITIONS - HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND DIRECT SUNLIGHT. WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME ABOUT THIS STATEMENT IS THAT IT'S A CONVERTIBLE SPORTS CAR MARKETED FOR THESE CONDITIONS, SO WHILE THEY MAY BE "SPECIFIC AND LIMITED", THEY ARE PRIMARY CONDITIONS FOR THIS CAR. FINALLY, BMW CLAIMS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF SAFETY, BUT ONE OF QUALITY. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THERE ARE SOME SUBSYSTEMS WHERE QUALITY SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED, AND STEERING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ONE OF THESE. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND ANXIOUSLY AWAIT NHTSA FINDINGS IN HOPES I CAN HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED BY BMW. I SINCERELY HOPE THIS ISSUE IS NOT SWEPT UNDER THE RUG AND THE MANUFACTURER TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF THEIR AUTOMOBILES. *TR

• 11/04/2014· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER AIR BAG EXPLODED AND BUSTED WIND SHIELD. *TR

• 11/03/2017· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  26000 MILES ON CAR. ALWAYS IN GARAGE. NEVER DRIVEN IN WINTER AND USE A BATTERY TENDER DURING WINTER.REPLACED 2 BATTERIES THIS SUMMER RECENTLY AFTER NOT DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS. THIS TELLS ME THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SOMEWHERE BUT WHERE? IT'S PULLING POWER FROM SOMEWHERE. CAN'T BE TRUSTED

• 10/31/2017· STEERING

  STEERING FEELS DETENTED, WON'T RETURN TO CENTER AND IS DIFFICULT TO MANAGE ON A CURVING ROAD. VERY "STICKY". MANY TESTIMONIALS ON THE INTERNET RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. MUST BE A KNOWN PROBLEM.

• 10/31/2013· STEERING

  SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2004 BMW Z4 ON MARCH 13, 2013 I HAVE EXPERIENCE VERY ANNOYING AND MORE IMPORTANTLY UNSAFE ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLES STEERING ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE ALIGNMENT BUT AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ONLINE AND BMW FORUMS IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE E85 (2003-2005) BMW Z4 ROADSTERS. "NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN TO FIX "STICKY STEERING" PROB WITH THE EPS @ $3,300. MY 2004 Z4 IS A "PLEASURE" CAR WITH 17,000 MILES. NOT A PLEASURE TO FIGHT THE STEERING ON THE ROAD." -TAKEN FROM ONE OF THE FORUMS. FORTUNATELY I HAVE ANOTHER VEHICLE I DRIVE DAILY AND DON'T HAVE TO COMMUTE DAILY IN THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER WHEN I DO DRIVE IT IT'S DEFINITELY NOTICEABLE NOT ONLY BY ME BUT MY PASSENGERS, IT'S SCARY EVEN. I PURCHASED MY CAR WITH 69,500 MILES WHICH REALLY IS QUITE LOW CONSIDERING THE YEAR AND I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED TO FIND SOMETHING THAT HAS COST ME SO MUCH TO OBTAIN GIVES ME AN UNEASY FEELING EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT. WISH I COULD AFFORD TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED BUT BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT I SIMPLY DON'T HAVE AN EXTRA $3,000+ TO SPARE TO SPEND TOWARDS THE REPAIR. ANYWAYS HOPING ENOUGH GRIEVANCES WILL BE FILED AND EVENTUALLY BMW WILL OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND BE WILLING TO WORK WITH ITS MANY UNHAPPY CUSTOMERS WHO ARE LITERALLY HAZARDS ON THE ROAD DUE TO THIS "STICKY STEERING" PROBLEMS AT HIGH SPEEDS. THANK YOU *TR

• 10/30/2016· STEERING

  STEERING IS UNSTABLE. CAR KEEPS PULLING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT. IT REQUIRES CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS SO THAT I COULD KEEP THE CAR ALIGNED, OR CENTERED ON THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY.

• 10/26/2010· STEERING

  WHEN CAR SITS OUT IN THE HOT SUN 100 DEGREES OR BETTER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, IS DIFFICULT. STEERING WHEEL STAYS IN A TUNING POSITION AND DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT STICKS IN WHATEVER TURN YOU PUT IT IN. YOU MUST MANUALLY FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER. JUST TODAY 10/26/2010 ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. *TR

• 10/26/2010· STEERING

  WHEN DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL GET VERY STICKY AND NEED EXTENSIVE FORCE TO BE MANEUVER. I WENT TO MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE EPS AND THAT ITS NOT COVER SINCE IT HAPPENED 1 MONTH AFTER THE END OF THE WARRANTEE. ITS SEEM THAT A LOT OF OWNER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEIR IS STILL NO RECALL FROM BMW. I NOW LIVE IN CANADA BUT MY CAR IS FROM THE STATE AND I AM FILLING A COMPLAINT SO THAT BMW WOULD BE FORCE TO ACT ON THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

• 10/24/2012· STEERING

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO WIGGLE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE STEERING POWER ASSIST FOR THE STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 12/11/12*LJ UPDATED 12/12/12

• 10/19/2013· STRUCTURE

  MY BMW 2004 Z4 DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HANDLES WOULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BEGAN TO FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. I WAS LOCKED INSIDE MY VEHICLE WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO GET OUT. *TR

• 10/19/2010· STEERING

  THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, IT FEELS LIKE IT IS BINDING WHICH REQUIRED INCREASED STEERING EFFORT THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO OVER-STEER WHEN MAKING HARD AND ABRUPT STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENTS. THE FAILURE IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER VEHICLE SPEEDS (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND IN WARM/HOT WEATHER (85 F). *TR

• 10/18/2008· STEERING

  STEERING SYSTEM IS SOMEWHAT NON-RESPONSIVE WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. *TR

• 10/17/2018· STEERING

  TAKATA RECALL.....STEERING NOTCHES AND LOCKS....UNSAFE TO DRIVE....WHEN CAR IS IS IN WARM WEATHER THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY

• 10/17/2009· STEERING

  2004 BMW Z4 CURRENT MILEAGE 81K BOUGHT USED WITH 35K IN 2008. BEGINNING IN SUMMER 2008, STEERING FEELS "STICKY" IN SLOW TURNS TO RIGHT/LEFT SUCH AS ON /OFF RAMP. WITH DIFFERENT TIRES, SYMPTOMS EASED, BUT STILL EVIDENT, ESPECIALLY AT AMBIENT TEMPS 70 DEG F OR ABOVE. AT 71K CAR IN FOR SERVICE INCLUDING THIS COMPLAINT. DEALER NOTED "BINDING/NOISY LOWER COLUMN JOINT" & REPLACED LOWER SECTION OF STEERING COLUMN JOINT "PER SIB 32 03 06", BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. PROBLEM NOT AS SEVERE AS THAT NOTED IN SOME OTHER COMPLAINTS ON LINE BUT SIMILAR IN PERSISTENCE AND ANNOYANCE. *TR

• 10/14/2014· STEERING

  THE STEERING HAS A HESITATION. I HAVE NOTICED IT THIS SUMMER AROUND TOWN, THINKING THE STEERING IS JUST VERY TIGHT SINCE IT IS A SPORTS CAR. BMW DID SOME REBUILDING OF THE FRONT END LAST FALL AND THERE WAS NO ISSUE IN THE STEERING AT THAT TIME. ON 9/06/14 I REALIZED AT HIGHWAY SPEED I WAS PUSHING HARD OCCASIONALLY IN A CURVE TO ACTIVATE THE STEERING. BMW GAVE THE DIAGNOSIS ON 9/24/14 THAT THE STEERING COLUMN/ELECTRIC MOTOR R&R PROGRAM EPS (STEERING UNIT) -ALL, FOR AN ESTIMATED FEE OF 3551.63. SO BMW TELLS ME THEY ARE SORRY THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR AND THEY OFFER ME NO ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE BMW COMPANY. I AM NOT READY TO PAY THIS EXPENSE AT THIS POINT. IF THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE OR TO THE POINT I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY, THEN I WILL HAVE A REPAIR MADE, AT LEAST AT THIS POINT, I KNOW I NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR HARD STEERING ON OCCASION. *TR

• 10/14/2012· STEERING

  WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED THE STEERING BECAME STICKY AND MADE IT DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. MINOR STEERING ADJUSTMENTS ARE NEAR IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT JERKING THE CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THIS CONDITION. *TR

• 10/13/2011· STEERING

  POWER STEERING STICKS ON HOT DAYS TYPICALLY ABOVE 80 DEGREES. PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH BUT HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS AS WELL. IT TAKES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO RELEASE THE STICKING WHICH RESULTS IN OVERCORRECTION. THIS HAS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IN 2004 Z4'S. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY BMW HASN'T VOLUNTARILY HAD A RECALL OR WHY NHTSA HASN'T DEMANDED ONE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IDENTIFIED BY MANY Z4 OWNERS. *TR

• 10/13/2010· STEERING

  2004 BMW Z4 - STEERING PROBLEM: I JUST RECENTLY MOVED TO SOUTH FLORIDA FROM DENVER AND NOW HAVE NOTCHY/STICKY STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 MPH) WHEN IT IS WARM (70 DEGREES). MAKING SMALL CORRECTIONS REQUIRES A LARGE INPUT CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OUTSIDE OF IT'S LANE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER, BMW SOUTH IN SOUTH MIAMI AND THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR $3,200. THIS PROBLEM IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOON A DRIVER OR THE PUBLIC WILL BE HURT OR KILLED. BMW NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE THE STEERING SAFE OR THE NHTSA NEEDS TO DIRECT THEM TO RECALL THE CARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR