Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →
WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING INTO CURVES THE RETURN STEERING STICKS REQUIRING FORCE TO OVERCOME THE STICK. WHEN THE STICK IS OVERCOME IT CAUSES AN OVERSTEER CONDITION AND REQUIRES RAPID CORRECTION. THIS IS INTERMITTENT ALTHOUGH WITH A HIGH RATE OF OCCURENCE.
THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. IT OPERATES THE GLOVE BOX, PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOORS AS WELL AS GAS CAP DOOR. IT DOES NOT RESPOND PROPERLY TO FOB OR BY KEY. AT TIMES ALL LOCKS ARE FROZEN TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOT OPEN TO GET IN OR GAS. RIGHT NOW PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEEN LOCKED FOR 30+ DAYS. CANNOT OPEN AT ALL. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO ORDERED A NEW ACTUATER FROM BMW DEALER, FIRST ONE DID NOT WORK. SECOND ONE INSTALLED AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED. ($240.00). MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT SOMETHING IS BURNING AND I MUST TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. I CAN SMELL THE BURNING AND I AM AFRAID AND WILL NOT DRIVE. LOOKED UP ON INTERNET, THERE ARE 100S OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT.
STEERING WHEEL ROTATION INHIBITED, WOULD NOT TURN SMOOTHLY, EXTRA FORCE NEEDED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION, VERY HEAVY CENTER DETENT. CAR SWERVES VIOLENTLY WHEN EXTRA FORCE ON WHEEL IS USED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. UNABLE TO MAKE COMMON MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, RESULTANT OVERSTEERING CAUSES ERRATIC MOVEMENTS. CAR NEARLY GONE OFF ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. HEAT RELATED. HAPPENS WHEN CAR CABIN TEMPERATURE ELEVATED BY SUNSHINE OR EXTENDED DRIVES/USE. >=2.5HRS. CAR IS UNSAFE. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES CAUSE RELATED TO STEERING COLUMN/GEARS BUT REFUSES TO RECALL/FIX. PLEASE HELP BEFORE MORE ARE KILLED.
THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN OCTOBER OF 2005. I REPORTED TO DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS SINCE THEN, THAT THE STEERING STICKS WHEN CAR IS HOT OR ON A HOT DAY AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. THEY ALL INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER INSPECTION. THIS CONTINUES TO PLAGUE MY VEHICLE AND CAUSES ME TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER WRAPS ON HOT DAYS (WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IN FLORIDA) BECAUSE IF I START TO ADJUST STEERING AS I DRIVE, THE WHEEL APPEARS TO LOCK AND CONTINUE IN THAT DIRECTION. I HAVE TO FORCE IT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. IT'S A NUISANCE AND A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I INITIALLY REPORTED THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR THAT BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SHAME ON THEM. I HAVE OWNED 4 BMW'S AND THE Z4 IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE. I LOVE THE VEHICLES BUT AM SADDENED THAT I CAN'T TAKE MY Z OUT FOR A NICE SUMMER DRIVE FOR FEAR OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ISSUES ONCE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING AWHILE. THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS, NOISES, OR WARNING LIGHTS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. MA 10/14 UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN
ON HOT DAYS(>75 F) THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY. I FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THE CAR WILL LOCK ON ME. REPLACING THE ENTIRE COLUMN IS BIT TOO EXPENSIVE SO I LIMIT MY DRIVING TO COLDER DAYS ONLY, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE CONVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE MANY OWNERS OF 2003 BMW Z4 HAVE SIMILAR ISSUE. I'VE BEEN HOPING FOR YEARS THAT BMW WILL HAVE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SUCH A NICE CAR, AND AT THE SAME TIME HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT IF IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE AND LACK OF RESPONSE FROM THE BMW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
ON WARM DAYS THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE STICKY. ITS NOT A FLUID AS IT IS WHEN CAR IS IN COOLER WEATHER. AFTER SOME RESEARCH THERE APPEARS TO BE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2003-2005 MODEL BMW Z4 WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS WAS NEVER RECALLED.
POWER STEERING DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING WITH EPS LIGHT ILLUMINATING.
THE SEAT BELT NO LONGER LOCKS, THE SEAT BELT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE TENSION HAS NOT BEEN GREAT. BUT THE SEAT BELT HAS FAILED. *TR
STEERING WHEEL WILL STICK IN THE CENTER POSITION WHEN HOT OUTSIDE. THIS CAUSES AN OVER CORRECTION WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE POWER STEERING QUIT I LOST THE POWER STEERING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THEY HAD BEEN REPLACING THEM FREE OF CHARGE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, BUT I WAS OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE GIRL I SPOKE WITH SAID SHE WOULD TALK TO HER SUPERVISOR AND SEE IF THEY COULD HELP. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BACK. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME THE PUMP FAILED IT DEFINITELY COULD HAVE BEEN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A HOT DAY, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. WHEN YOU NOTICE THIS AND USE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT IT FEELS A LOCKED. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO RESPOND. WHEN IT DOES RESPOND, BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF FORCE BEING USED, IT CAUSES A CHANGE OF COURSE THAT COULD TAKE YOU INTO ANOTHER LANE. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM HAS LED ME TO FIND THAT NOT ONLY DOES BMW KNOW OF THE PROBLEM THEY REFUSE ANY ACTION AND PUT THE $3500 BILL SQUARELY ON THE OWNER. IN MY MIND THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE RECALL. *TR
STEERING LOCKS UP.. IF SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES IT RELEASES.. WENT TO GET GAS.. SHUT OFF.. STARTED.. SAME THING WITH ADDITION OF AIR BAG LIGHT GOING ON.. SHUT OFF SEVERAL MORE TIMES TO GET GOING BUT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. *TR
STEERING LOCKS UP.. IF SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES IT RELEASES.. WENT TO GET GAS.. SHUT OFF.. STARTED.. SAME THING WITH ADDITION OF AIR BAG LIGHT GOING ON.. SHUT OFF SEVERAL MORE TIMES TO GET GOING BUT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. *TR
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO YOUR 245 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS CAUSING YOU TO HAVE TO PULL THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN IT AND IS WORSE WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS UP TO TEMPERATURE. IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL CAUSE A FATALITY IF IT IS NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE READ THAT NHTSA CALLS THIS A "NUISANCE". IT IS NOT A NUISANCE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY THE CAR MANUFACTURER. I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR 45 YEARS AND I HAVE DISSECTED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE ISSUE IS THE TOP BEARING IN THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. IT IS AN OPEN BEARING AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SEALED BEARING. THE LOWER BEARING AND THE MEDIUM BEARING ARE FINE. THE ISSUE IS YOU CAN'T FIND THIS BEARING ANYWHERE; DEALERS TELL YOU THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $3,000 TO $3,600. SHAME ON BMW! I JOIN THE OTHERS WHO HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS IN ASKING YOU TO PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
THE STEERING PULLS ERRATICALLY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND BECOMES STUCK. IT REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION TO CORRECT THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE STEERING. IT HAS SUDDENLY PULLED IN EACH DIRECTION AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND I HAVE HAD TO PULL BACK HARD TO AVOID CROSSING INTO TRAFFIC OR SIDESWIPING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. THIS IS NOT TIRES OR RUTTED ROADS CAUSING THIS. IT IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE BMW Z4. PLEASE PUSH FOR A RECALL.. THE BEARING IN THE COLUMN IS UNSEALED AND NOT ABLE TO BE LUBRICATED SO IT DRIES OUT AND CAUSES THESE ISSUES. *TR
CAR STEERING HARD TO CENTER , STEERING STICKS TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT , WHEN TEMPERATURE OUT SIDE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES OR WHEN YOU DRIVE A LONG WAYS AND THE CAR BEGINS TO PRODUCE HEAT.VERY HARD TO DRIVE OR TAKE A LONG TRIP IN.VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THREE YEARS. HAVE HAD 3 TESTS INCL LIETH BMW TEST THAT VERIFIES IT IS THE PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT. THIS DEFECT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN MANY BMW MODELS. BMW REFUSES TO FIX IT YET REQUIRES ME TO DO THESE DIAGNOSIS (FOR A FEE) OVER AND OVER. NOT ONLY THAT - THEY HAVE DRASTICALLY RAISED THE PRICE TO REPAIR TO >$1400. I SERIOUSLY QUESTION THE SAFETY OF THE CAR AND FEEL BMW USES THE ISSUE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE HIGH PROFITS OFF THE SAFETY CONCERNS OF ITS CUSTOMERS. *TR
STEERING GOT TIGHT, HARD TO STEER, BUT CAR WAS CONTROLLABLE. TURNED WHEEL AND I NEEDED TO TURN IT BACK TO CENTER, IT WOULD NOT RETURN ITSELF. *TR
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AROUND 95, THE STEERING RESPONSE OF THE CAR BECAME VERY STICKY OR NOTCHY. IF YOU WERE TO TURN THE WHEEL A FEW DEGREES AS REQUIRED BY EXITING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. WITH SLIGHT ADDITIONAL FORCE IT DID. WITH GENERAL DRIVING THE WHEEL REQUIRED MORE FORCE TO TURN TO OVERCOME THE "STICKY OR NOTCHY" SENSATION FELT THROUGH OUT THE STEERING WHEEL. VERY UNSAFE FEELING. *TR
DURING HOT TEMPERATURES WHEN MAKING TURNS IN THE Z4 THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SMOOTHLY ROTATE, IT IS KNOTCHY AND SOMETIMES SUDDENLY PULLS TOWARDS A CERTAIN DIRECTION WHILE GOING INTO OR OUT OF A TURN. THIS BEHAVIOR IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN RESULT IN AN UNWANTED MANEUVER AT HIGH SPEED. CONSIDERING THIS IS A SPORTS CAR PEOPLE TEND TO GO ON SPIRITED DRIVES THAT ARE NOT FORGIVING TO SUCH STEERING WHEEL PULL IN UNWANTED DIRECTIONS. *TR
WHEN THE CAR GETS HOT (SUMMER HOT) THE STEERING GETS NOTCHY IN THAT WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN A SLIGHT TURN, LIKE CHANGING LANES OR GOING AROUND A SLIGHT CORNER, THE STEERING LITERALLY STICKS IN THAT POSITION CAUSING THE DRIVER TO APPLY OPPOSITE PRESSURE TO "BREAK" THE WHEEL LOOSE FROM THE TURN FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER STICK WHEREVER THE WHEEL IS BROUGHT BACK TO. PROBLEM IS THAT IT CAUSES MASSIVE OVERSTEERING ISSUES AT HIGH SPEED. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! BMW KNOWS ABOUT IT AND RELEASED MULTIPLE PUMAS (ONE OF WHICH IS 4515500-06 - EQUIVALENT OF A TSB) BUT HAS NOT DONE A RECALL. *TR
WHEN THE CAR GET WARM UP THE STEERING BEGINS TO STICK IN ON PLACE. THIS MAKES A PLEASURE CAR SEEM MORE LIKE A NIGHTMARE AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE. THEIR NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS MODEL IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY SAME ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING SOON THERE IS GOING TO BE A ACCIDENT AND THEN THEY'LL BE DEALING WITH LAWSUIT AT THAT POINT. *TR
APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO THE STEERING ON MY Z-4 BEGAN STICKING WHEN THE CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD. ON THE ADVICE OF A REPAIR SHOP I HAD THE STEERING RACK ASSEMBLY REPLACED AND TO GOT THE BMW DEALER TO CHECK THE WORK AND PROVIDE A FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THIS DID NOT HELP.. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WORSENING AND IS WORSE DURING HOTTER TEMPERATURES. FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS MY BMW DEALER HAD SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH STEERING. NOW LAST WEEK THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO REPLACE AN EPS ASSEMBLY IN THE STEERING SYSTEM FOR A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $3500. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING SEVERAL BMW OWNERS CHAT ROOMS AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2003 - 2005 Z-4S. *TR
STEERING WILL GO FROM VERY TIGHT TO VERY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING. WILL PULL TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WILL INITIALLY RESIST AND THEN GIVE WAY TO EITHER DIRECTION. SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN WARMER WEATHER CONDITIONS. FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO CONTROL IN THE STEERING OF THE CAR. *TR
I AM FILLING THIS COMPLAINT DO TO MY CAR STARTED TO FILL UNSAFE WILL NOT STAY CENTER AND CONTINUES TO PULL ON BOTH DIRECTIONS ITS A STRUGGLE TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD KNOWING THAT AT ANY MOMENT WILL TROW YOU TO EITHER SIDE PLEASE REVIEW MY CLAIM. *TR
I BOUGHT THE 2003 BMW Z4 3.0 L. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012. I LIVE AND DRIVE THE CAR IN PORTLAND OREGON WHERE THE WHETHER IS RATHER MODERATE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES ABOVE 90 F THE STEERING GETS SO TIGHT THAT AT HIGHWAY SPEED ESPECIALLY I HAVE TO FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR ON TRACK. STEERING GETS SO TIGHT DUE TO OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES THAT DRIVING BECOMES SCARY AND UNSAFE. WHEN THE WEATHER IS PREDICTED WITH TEMPERATURES 90 F. AND ABOVE I CHOOSE TO DRIVE MY OLD BMW 528 WHICH IS THE TRUE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE. SAFE AND RELIABLE. BMW MUST RECOGNIZE AND ADMIT THE ENGINEERING FLAW BUILT IN THE Z4 BMW AND RECALL BEFORE SERIOUS FATAL ACCIDENTS HAPPEN! PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
STEERING BECOME - NOTCHY/STICKY. THIS MAKES SMALL STEERING CORRECTIONS VERY DIFFICULT DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE TEMPERATURE RELATED IN MY CASE. WITH COLDER THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES, THE BEHAVIOR IS DELAYED UNTIL THE A LONGER DRIVING DURATION HAS OCCURRED. THIS PROBLEM WAS EVIDENT WITHIN ONE YEAR OF MY PURCHASE. I DID NOT NOTICE IT VERY OFTEN, SINCE I WAS ONLY DRIVING TO AND FROM MY WORK, LOW MILEAGE AND SHORT TIMES. AS I HAVE NOW BEEN DRIVING THE CAR MORE OFTEN, I HAVE FOUND THIS PROBLEM EVIDENT ON ALL TRIP. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR (NEW). THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD NEED A COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT AT MY EXPENSE (APPROXIMATELY $4000). THE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT I CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE. I DID AND BASICALLY GOT A NULL RESPONSE. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED, NO ACCIDENTS, PARKED IN A GARAGE AND HAS LESS THAN 57000 MILES. THE WARRANTY OF COURSE HAS EXPIRED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM IS DUE TO ANY TYPE OF NORMAL WEAR AND AGE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THERE ARE NOW NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE SAME STEERING ISSUE. THE CAR IS DRIVABLE, HOWEVER WITH EXTREME CAUTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE ISSUE IS CONTROL OF THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS - WHEN CHANGING LANES OR EVEN ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT PATH WITHIN THE LANES. AS THE TEMPERATURES INCREASE IN LONGER DRIVES, THE STEERING DIFFICULTY BECOMES WORSE. WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTS, THE SMALLEST CONTROL CORRECTIONS FOR THE STEERI
VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON THE LOT SOMEONE HEARD A LOUD POP NOISE AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM INTERIOR OF VEHICLE, FOUND PASSENGER SIDE DASH AIR BAG HAD BEEN DEPLOYED THIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOCKED WITH KEYS INSIDE THE BUILDING. *TR
BASICALLY THE STEERING BECOMES STIFF IN WARM WEATHER. THE STIFFNESS OCCURS IN MY CAR AFTER A HALF AN HOUR OR SO OF DRIVING AT TEMPERATURES OVER ABOUT 75 TO 80 DEGREES. I BELIEVE IT'S DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEED DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND AM VERY SURPRISED THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL SO FAR. IT ALSO TAKES MOST OF THE PLEASURE OUT OF DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER WITH THE TOP DOWN, WHICH IS THE REASON I BOUGHT THE Z4 IN THE FIRST PLACE. *TR
LOST OF POWER STEERING. *TR
STEERING IS STICKY DURING WARMER WEATHER AND STICKS ON CENTER AND IS DIFFICULT TO TURN FROM CENTER. *TR
STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES IS "STICKING" WHILE DRIVING MAKING TURNING A LITTLE MORE LABORED THAN NORMAL. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLES FAILED TO FUNCTION AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT RELEASE OPEN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED TWICE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,618. *TR
SAME PROBLEM AS ALL OTHER 2003 BMW Z4 STEERING COMPLAINTS. VEHICLE STARTED STICKING WHEN MAKING EVEN SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENTS. ALWAYS STARTS THIS ABOUT 5 MINUTES INTO A DRIVE. HAS CONTINUED TO THIS DATE IN MARCH 2014 BUT NOW IN ADDITION TO STICKING GET A LOUD SQUEAL WHEN TURNING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. *TR
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR IS "STICKY" STEERING. IT OCCURS MOSTLY AT HIGH SPEEDS IN HOT WEATHER. MANY BMW FORUMS OUT LINE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 Z4. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO BE TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED AND HAVE THE STEERING BECOME SO STIFF YOU CAN HARDLY STEER THE CAR. BMW WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED. I AM SURE YOU HAVE RECEIVED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND I HOPE WILL DO SOMETHING TO FORCE BMW TO CORRECT THIS ENGINEERING DEFECT AND REPAIR THOSE CARS WHICH ARE AFFECTED.
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE 2003 BMW Z-4 I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL STICKING, BMW REFUSED TO CORRECT THE SITUATION OR DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE COST TO REPAIR IS $3600.00. IT IS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION, THAT I DO NOT HAVE THE EXTRA FUNDS TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCH ON THE WEB IT IS APPARENT THAT THIS IS AN ALL AROUND ISSUE WITH THE Z4 BMW FOR YEARS 2003-2005. THIS SHOULD OF BEEN RECALLED AND REPAIRED AT BMW'S EXPENSE MANY YEARS AGO AND HAS GONE WITH OUT THE PROPER RECALL FOR FAR TO LONG. THIS ISSUE HAS NEARLY CAUSED MANY ACCIDENTS FOR ME SINCE HAVING THE VEHICLE. I CAN NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR, I CAN NOT CONSCIOUSLY SELL THE VEHICLE IN THE CONDITION IT IS CURRENTLY IN, AND I CAN NOT AFFORD AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE THE LOSS OF LIFE. I AM STUCK WITH A NON DRIVABLE VEHICLE, MAKING $350.00 PAYMENTS FOR NOTHING. PLEASE NHTSA HELP RECTIFY A STICKY SITUATION (LITERALLY, NO PUN INTENDED) BEFORE ALL THESE Z-4'S CAUSE MANY DEATHS. *TR
MY 2003 BMW Z4 IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE, WHILE I AM ON FLAT SURFACES TRAVELING ON THE FREEWAY THE STEERING WHEEL ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL PULL TO THE LEFT AND THEN TO THE RIGHT CONSTANTLY AND I HAVE TO CORRECT IT EVERY 2 SECONDS AND SOMETIMES IT JUST LOCKS INTO A LEFT TURN POSITION WHEN I AM ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL I AM TRYING TO DO IS KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY. AT THIS POINT I AM AFRAID AN ACCIDENT WILL HAPPEN SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE AND I HAVE BEEN READING THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON THE WEB WITH PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME CAR. AT WHAT POINT ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO ACTIVATE A VEHICLE RECALL TO FIX THE STEERING COLUMN DESIGN, PERHAPS AFTER I EITHER GET INTO AN ACCIDENT OR I OR A FAMILY MEMBER GETS KILLED, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, I AM BEGGING YOU PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THE FLAWED DESIGN OF THE STEERING OF THIS CAR .....!!!! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
INSERT THIS LINK TO READ THE SAME PROBLEM I AM HAVING: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2004/BMW/Z4/STEERING. *TR
WHEN STEERING SHARPLY OR TURNING THE WHEEL FREQUENTLY LIKE TO PARALLEL PARK FOR EXAMPLE, THE ELECTRICAL SUDDENLY COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN IN MY CAR. THE CAR'S POWER COMPLETELY DIES AND I LOSE ABILITY TO STEER. SOMETIMES THIS IS WHILE MAKING A QUICK TURN WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC APPROACHING QUICKLY. I MUST STOP TURNING, WAIT FOR THE POWER TO TURN BACK ON, AND RESUME DRIVING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE. THE PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY WORSE WHEN CAR IS "WARMED UP" AND IS ALSO WORSENED BY INCREASED OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN. MY DEALER CHARGED ME $104.00 FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND TOLD ME TO KEEP THE BATTERY CHARGED. THIS HAS HAD NE EFFECT ON THE PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE HAD MY 2003 BMW Z4 FOR SEVEN YEARS. THE STEERING HAS A TIGHT PLACE AT DEAD CENTER. IT TAKES EXTRA FORCE TO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT UNTIL YOU PASS CENTER. IT IS REAL TRICKY ON A CURVED ROAD. I ONLY DRIVE IT ON SPECIAL DAYS; BUT, I NOTICED IT REALLY STARTED STICKING BAD THIS SUMMER. I DO NOT HAVE $3200 TO FIX A DEALER RELATED PROBLEM . I AM MAKING THIS REPORT ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND THE ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BECOME DANGEROUS FOR ME AS WELL AS FOR ALL Z4 OWNERS. I TRUST AND HOPE BMW STANDS UP AND DOES SOMETHING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I LOVE MY Z4. IT USE TO BE FUN TO DRIVE. IT IS HAS BECOME A BIT SCARY TO DRIVE AND A GREAT WORRY FOR ME WHEN MY WIFE TAKES IT OUT I HATE FILLING THIS FORM OUT; BUT, I FEEL THAT IT IS NECESSARY OR NOTHING WILL GET DONE. IF YOUR HAVING THIS PROBLEM ; ALSO, I PRAY THAT YOU JOIN IN AND FILL OUT YOUR COMPLAINT BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY HURT THANKS, D. IN TEXAS. *TR
ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE I NOTICED THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEAD SPOT OR CATCH IN THE STEERING. YOU TURN LEFT OR RIGHT VERY MUCH AND ITS LIKE YOU HAVE TO PULL HARDER TO GET IT TO TURN. BY THEN YOU HAVE PULLED TOO HARD AND THE CAR JERKS TO WHICHEVER WAY YOU WERE TURNING. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. I CAN BE DRIVING ALONG AND FORGET ABOUT IT STICKING AND TAKE A CURVE AND IT HAPPENS. VERY UNNERVING. *TR
THE STEERING IN THE Z4 STARTS TO GET "STICKY" WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS HOT (~ >85 DEG F). IT DOESN'T RETURN BACK TO CENTER ON IT'S OWN AND IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE DEAD SPOTS IN THE STEERING WHERE YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE WHEEL BACK TO MAKE IT MOVE. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOL - THE WHEEL TURNS AND RETURNS TO CENTER NORMALLY. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN HOT WEATHER. *TR
THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRIC STEERING AND IT WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND YOU HAVE TO FIGHT THE WHEEL TO STAY IN YOUR LANE. VERY DANGEROUS ! *TR
THIS IS FOR A 2003 BMW Z4 WITH JUST OVER 25,000 MILES. AS SOON AS I BEGAN DRIVING ON AN ACCESS ROAD AND THEN A COUNTY ROAD, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT TURNING THE WHEEL. THERE WAS SOME PLAY IN THE STEERING AND THE WHEEL FELT STIFFER THAN NORMAL WITH A STICKY FEELING A FEW DEGREES LEFT OR RIGHT. AS I DROVE DOWN THIS STRAIGHT ROAD, THE CAR CONTINUED TO PULL TOWARDS ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER AND CONTROLLING IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. FROM BEHIND, IT WOULD APPEAR AS THOUGH I WAS SWERVING WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. I FELT LIKE I COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SO I DROVE AS SLOWLY AS POSSIBLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AND THEY TOOK THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION THE NEXT DAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE HEAD MECHANIC TO ASK MORE QUESTIONS. AGAIN I PROVIDED MORE DETAILS ABOUT HOW THE VEHICLE FELT WHILE DRIVING AND THEY REQUESTED PERMISSION TO ROAD TEST IT. AT FIRST THEY THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO WHEEL ALIGNMENT, BUT UPON FURTHER TESTING THEY REALIZED IT WAS MORE THAN THAT. THE STICKY STEERING COLUMN APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED, THE MOTOR DRIVE FOR THE POWER STEERING. I WAS QUOTED $3,176 TO REPLACE. I SPOKE WITH THE HEAD MECHANIC, AND EXPRESSED MY DISPLEASURE WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE A QA OR DESIGN ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND THE FACT I FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER REPORTS AND INVESTIGATIONS LAUNCHED INTO THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE Z4. IN MY OPINION THIS MANUFACTURING DEF
WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE THE CAR HANDLES AS IT SHOULD. HOWEVER, WHEN AN ADJUSTMENT NEEDS TO BE MADE TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP UNTIL ENOUGH FORCE IS USED TO JERK IT FREE. WHEN THIS IS DONE THE CAR OVERSTEERS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. AS THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE THE CAR IS JERKING MORE VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL FINALLY LETS THE STEERING ADJUST TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. TAKING THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP, THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS THE ENTIRE STEERING MECHANISM INCLUDING THE ELECTRIC MOTOR ASSIST WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FIELDS BMW IN LAKELAND, FLORIDA IS THE DEALERSHIP THAT I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED FOR $85.00. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM FURMAN CHEVROLET IN TAMPA, THEY CLEVERLY FORGOT TO WRITE IT INTO THE CONTRACT EVEN THOUGH I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SMALL HANGUP OF THE STEERING WHEEL AT THAT TIME AND THEY ASSURED ME THAT THEY WOULD FIX IT. NOW I AM GOING TO TAKE WHAT I CONSIDER A VERY UNSAFE CAR BACK OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE TO DRIVE A PIECE OF JUNK FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS UNLESS THERE IS A RECALL FOR THEIR POOR ENGINEERING OR, WORSE YET, LOUSY PARTS. I HAVE FOUND THAT THE BMW EMBLEM AT $35.00 IS A HOT SELLER AND THAT THE CUP HOLDERS AT $55,00 EACH ARE IN GREAT DEMAND AS IT SEEMS BMW CAN'T ENGINEER THOSE TO LAST EITHER. I CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR THE NEXT FAILURE. NO WONDER THEY HAD NO Z4S ON THE LOT FOR RESALE. I IMAGINE THEY ARE STAYING AS FAR AWAY FROM THESE AS POSSIBLE AS TH
TWO YEARS AGO IN THE SUMMER, I DROVE MY CAR BACK ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY HARD TO MOVE. IT WAS A STICKY STEERING SITUATION. THE WEATHER WAS ALSO VERY HOT. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED EVEN WHEN I AM DRIVING SLOWLY. THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE SEEMS TO BE THE CRITICAL FACTOR. YESTERDAY, I DROVE THE CAR AND IT STEERED PERFECTLY. THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70S. TODAY, IT DROVE FINE IN THE A.M. BUT IN THE PM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHED ABOVE 80, THE STEERING WAS "STICKY" AGAIN. I HAVE FOUND MANY POSTS ON LINE DESCRIBING THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A 2004 BMW Z4. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST 2 YEARS BUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DRIVE HANDLING YESTERDAY AND TODAY WAS VERY OBVIOUS. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2003 BMW Z4 → · Every Z4 year → · How the figures are calculated →