2004 BMW Z4 complaints

AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES THE STEERING STICKS. IT SOMETIMES IS JUST A DISTRACTION, WHEN IT IS AT IT'S WORSE I BELIEVE IT IS DANGEROUS, NOT SO MUCH ON WIDE OPEN ROADS, BUT VERY MUCH SO ON NARROW ROADS. WHEN IT IS AT IT'S WORSE THE CAR MAY DART AS MUCH AS TWO FEET. *TR

STEERING WHEEL / RESPONSE FEELS "STICKY AND NOTCHY" WHEN STEERING COLUMN IS HOT. HAVE TO FIGHT STEERING WHEEL WHEN TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS. DOES NOT HAPPEN IN COOLER TEMPS. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS AN INTERNAL BEARING ISSUE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. DANGEROUS! *TR

BOUGHT USED 2004 BMW Z4 IN AUG 2012, STEERING SEEMED FINE, IT HAD 39K MILES ON IT. NOW AT 44K MILES THE STEERING HAS BECOME NOTCHY, WOBBLY FEELING AND THE CAR DARTS AROUND. HAD ALIGNMENT DONE IN JAN 2013 BUT STILL A PROBLEM. LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED ALREADY, I AM NOT ALONE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO PAY OUT A SMALL AMOUNT TO FIX THIS BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A 3K-4K FIX FROM WHAT I'VE READ. BMW NEEDS TO RECALL OR ELSE COME UP WITH A FIX THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE REPLACING THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN. WHAT DO YOU SAY BMW? *TR

STICKY STEERING PROBLEM, THIS WAS REPLACED IN 2006 UNDER WARRANTY BY BMW, AT ABOUT 2000 MILES. NOW FEB,2013 I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE LESS THAN 12000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I FEEL THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE YOU TO JERK THE WHEEL THINK YOU NEED TO STEER HARD. *TR

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

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

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

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 COS

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

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

I HAVE A 2004 Z4 THAT I PURCHASED LAST AUGUST USED. I RARELY DROVE THE CAR AND KEPT IT MAINLY FOR LEISURE UNTIL THIS PAST JULY. THIS JULY, ON THE DRIVE FROM WARNER ROBINS, GA TO HILTON HEAD, SC, I NOTICED THE STEERING WOULD STICK AND I HAD TO USE FORCE TO GET IT BACK ALIGNED WITH THE ROAD. SINCE THAT TIME EACH DAY WHEN I LEAVE WORK AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED ALL DAY IN THE HEAT IT DOES THE SAME THING. ITS ALMOST AS IF THE CAR IS TRACKING. NORMALLY MY SPEED DOES NOT EXCEED 40 MPH. I HAVE HAD THE TIRES CHECKED, THEY ARE NEW RUN FLAT TIRES, NO PROBLEM, I HAVE HAD IT ALIGNED AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STEERING WHEN TEMPERATURES EXCEED 85 DEGREES. IT DOES NOT DO THIS IN THE MORNING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 80. IT IS SOMETIMES SO HARD TO STEER THAT IT CREATES A HAZARD AS I HAVE TO FIGHT TO CORRECT AND THAN IT PULLS RADICALLY TO THE RIGHT TO OVERCORRECT. THIS HAS AT TIMES PUT ME IN A VERY HAZARDOUS AND DANGEROUS CONDITION WITH TRAFFIC. *TR

AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. 9/27/2012 APPROX. 6:20PM HAD ONE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED, NO STRIKING CURB, NO POTHOLE...NOTHING UNTOWARD. BMW DEALER NOW HAS VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF MALFUNCTION. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ASSIST IN DETERMINING CAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION AND TO PASS ALONG HIS FINDINGS TO THE APPROPRIATE INDIVIDUALS AT BMW. HAD ONE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAGS MALFUNCTIONED AND DEPLOYED WHILE THIS VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN CATASTROPHIC! *TR

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW. IT CURRENTLY HAS ONLY 39K MILES ON IT RIGHT NOW (2012) SO ONE CAN EASILY SEE THAT I DRIVE THE CAR ONLY FOR LEISURE/PLEASURE. I LIVE IN UPSTATE NY SO CAN ONLY DRIVE THE CAR SEASONALLY. I INITIALLY THOUGHT THE STICKING/NOTCHING WAS DUE TO THE POOR RUN-FLAT TIRES (WHICH ALWAYS SEEMED TO SET OFF THE DASHBOARD SENSOR THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH AIR IN THEM AND THEN PERHAPS AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. THIS IS MY FIRST BMW, SO I THOUGHT THAT IT MIGHT BE ATTRIBUTED TO BEING MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL (EVEN AT LOWER SPEEDS LIKE 35-40MPH) BECAUSE IT WAS A PERFORMANCE CAR. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD "NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM," AND IT "WASN'T HAPPENING" FOR THEM. SO YET ANOTHER YEAR WOULD PASS AND THE CAR WOULD BE STORED FOR THE WINTER. WITH SUCH LIMITED TIME TO DRIVE THE CAR, I OVERLOOKED THE "NOTCHING" OF THE STEERING.... UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN THERE WERE NO MORE POSSIBLE EXCUSES! I REPLACED ALL 4 RUN FLAT TIRES WITH ALL-SEASON RADIALS, HAD THE CAR COMPLETELY ALIGNED, CONVINCED THAT THIS WOULD SOLVE MY PROBLEM. I WAS VERY WRONG! I WAS AND AM SHOCKED THAT BMW WOULD ALLOW 14+ PAGES OF COMPLAINTS DATING BACK TO 2005 WITHOUT DOING A RECALL ON THIS MATTER!! DOES A LIFE OR LIVES HAVE TO BE DESTROYED DUE TO SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC HAPPENING WITH THE STEERING BEFORE BMW TAKES ACTION? THIS IS THE SUPPOSED "ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" THAT I DREAMED OF HAVING FOR DECADES. I'M OUTRAGED TO LEARN THAT THE PRESTIGIOUS BMW COMPANY DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE MUCH

EVER SINCE I BOUGHT MY 04 BMW Z4 AT 42,000 MILES THE STEERING I NOTCHY, AND STICKY TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY DONT ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. HAVE LOOKED UP ON INTERNET AND IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR. *TR

AS I BACKED OUT OF PARKING SPACE, POWER ASSISTED STEERING FAILED. I MANAGED TO DRIVE VEHICLE WITH MUCH INCREASED STEERING EFFORT. IT IS DOUBTFUL THAT MY WIFE COULD HAVE MANAGED TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN IS BEING REPLACED. *TR

STEERING STICKS IN THE AFTERNOON, WHEN OUTSIDE IS HOT AROUND 90F. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION THIS SUMMER WHEN DROVE THE CAR AFTER WORK. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 38000MI. ON IT. THE STEERING WHEEL LITERATELY FEELS STUCK IN A POSITION AND TAKES ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO TURN/CHANGE DIRECTION THEN IT'S LIKE IT JUST SUDDENLY RELEASES AND CAUSES YOU TO OVER-STEER THE CAR IT FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING CLOSE TO A HWY BARRIER/CONSTRUCTION ZONE ETC.. I HAD TO FORCE TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE CAR WOULD DART DUE TO HAVING TO OVERCOMPENSATE FOR THE STUCK CONDITION. I KNOW THERE IS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING, BUT NOT SURE WHAT PARTICULAR CAUSING THE PROBLEM, MY BEST GUESS IS THE EPS SYSTEM. I HAVE BEEN READING THE FORUMS AND BLOGS AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH 2003-2005 BMW Z4'S SO I AM ADDING MINE TO THE LIST. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY (SAFETY! SAFETY!) ISSUE, I BELIEVE/WISH BMW SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL OR TAKE CARE OF THIS APPARENT DESIGN FLAW WITHIN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THESE CARS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN THIS CONDITION ARISES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

STEERING STICKS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE HOT 90DEG+. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION LAST YEAR IN THE SUMMER MONTHS EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR IN THE HEAT (N. TEXAS SUMMER) THE CAR HAD ABOUT 39000MI. ON IT. THE STEERING WHEEL LITERATELY FEELS STUCK IN A POSITION AND TAKES ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO TURN/CHANGE DIRECTION THEN IT'S LIKE IT JUST SUDDENLY RELEASES AND CAUSES YOU TO OVER-STEER THE CAR IT FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING CLOSE TO A HWY BARRIER/CONSTRUCTION ZONE ETC.. MY WIFE STARTED DRIVING THE CAR TODAY AND SAID THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING, AND THAT SHE HAD TO USE CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE CAR WOULD DART DUE TO HAVING TO OVERCOMPENSATE FOR THE STUCK CONDITION, SHE SAID IT SCARED HER. BEST DESCRIPTION I CAN GIVE IS TO COMPARE THE STEERING TO AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH E.G. (FAN BLOWER SWITCH) THAT HAS A DETENTE OR CLICK BETWEEN THE SPEEDS AND HOW IT TAKES ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO CHANGE FROM ONE SPEED TO ANOTHER. I HAVE BEEN READING THE FORUMS AND BLOGS AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH 2003-2005 BMW Z4'S SO I AM ADDING MINE TO THE LIST. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL OR TAKE CARE OF THIS APPARENT DESIGN FLAW WITHIN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THESE CARS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN THIS CONDITION ARISES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO THE STRAIGHT POSITION AFTER COMPLETING TURNS. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY TURN THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AFTER TURNING AT ALL SPEEDS. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER CONDITIONS PRODUCED TEMPERATURES OF AT LEAST SEVENTY FIVE DEGREES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

THE STEERING WHEEL STUCK IN ONE POSITION AND NEEDED UNUSUAL EFFORT TO CONTINUE TO STEER THE CAR IN THE PROPER DIRECTION. THIS STEERING PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM AND SUNNY AND THE CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CONDITION IS PECULIAR TO BMW Z4'S MANUFACTURED AND SOLD BETWEEN 2003 AND 2005. OBVIOUSLY BMW RECTIFIED THE PROBLEM ON THE 2006 MODELS. THE STEERING IS ELECTRIC STEERING. MY PROBLEM IS SERIOUS,I WILL NOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR. SUMMER IS UPON US AND PROBLEM WILL AGAIN MANIFEST ITSELF BECAUSE OF SUMMER TEMPS. BMW KNOWS OF THIS MALFUNCTION BUT STONE WALLS EFFORTS TO GET THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION CORRECTED. THANK YOU *TR

STEERING SEEMS TO LOCK IN A POSITION. TAKES EFFORT TO MOVE WHEEL TO A NEUTRAL POSITION. HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WARMED. DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN FIRST DRIVEN. *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT SELF CENTER PROPERLY. YOU HAVE TO APPLY TURNING PRESSURE TO THE WHEEL AND WHEN THE PRESSURE OVERCOMES THE STICKINESS THE WHEEL TURNS BUT NOT SMOOTHLY. THEN YOU HAVE TO DO THE SAME THING THE OTHER DIRECTION. SO IF YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE YOU ARE FORCED TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS STICKINESS CAUSE YOU TO OVER CORRECT. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF COMPLAINTS, SOME ARE EVEN AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. MINE IS NOT YET THAT SEVERE BUT I FEAR THAT AT ANY TIME IT MAY STICK HARDER AND. OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE ME WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THE TIME FRAME. I DO NOT WANT TO GET KILLED FIRST. *TR

THE CAR STEERING "STICKS" AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT BECOMES A PAIN FOR KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE. IT IS AS IF THE POWER STEERING FOR FINE ADJUSTMENT TURNING QUIT WORKING. THE CAR MAY BE TRACKING STRAIGHT, ALL IS FINE UNTIL A SLIGHT DRIFT RIGHT OR LEFT. TO ADJUST THE CAR TAKES CONSIDERABLE EFFORT MAKING FINE STEERING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. WHEN ALERT AND NO OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD, NOT A PROBLEM. WITH MODERATELY HEAVY BELTWAY TRAFFIC MOVING AT HIGH SPEED AND MUST STAY IN LANE, IT CAN GET FRIGHTENING. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN IT IS WARM OUT, BUT APPEARS INTERMITTENT. WHEN SEVERE, IT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS. IT REQUIRES A LOT OF CONCENTRATION, ANY LAPSE IN CONCENTRATION COULD BE DISASTROUS. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM FROM THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATION LIGHT. I HAD A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT, BALANCING AND TIRE ROTATION PERFORMED AT 105,000 MILES. THE CAR SEEMED TO RUN TRUE THEN, BUT IT MAY HAVE FIRST HAPPENED AS EARLY AS 112,000 MILES, BUT BARELY NOTICEABLE. IT HAS BECOME PRONOUNCED ENOUGH AT 115,000 MILES TO MAKE A COMPLAINT. I CHECKED THE WEBSITES AND FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND NOTHING ANYONE CAN FIND ANYTHING WRONG TO FIX IT. REALIGNMENTS DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. ULTIMATELY, EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR SUGGESTIONS LIKE "REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN FOR $3000" ARE MADE. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. TO BE HONEST, IT FEELS MORE LIKE AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER STEERING FINE STEERING ABILITY TO ME AND SHOULDN'T REQUIRE REPLACEMENT OF ALL STEERING LINK

THE STEERING WHEEL SOMETIMES STICKS WHILE DRIVING. I NEED TO USE MORE FORCE THAN NORMAL TO TURN THE WHEEL, AND WHEN IT DOES TURN IT OFTEN OVERSHOOTS CAUSING THE CAR TO SWERVE FROM MY INTENDED DIRECTION. MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BMW Z4'S FROM 2003-2005. THIS STICKY STEARING COULD LEAD TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TT

AFTER THE CAR HAD SET OUT IN THE SUN ON A HOT DAY, STEERING WAS VERY STIFF. I COULD NOT STEER FLUIDLY. IF I TRIED TO SLIGHTLY ADJUST THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE. I WOULD APPLY MORE AND MORE PRESSURE UNTIL IT WOULD FINALLY MOVE. BUT SINCE I WAS APPLYING SO MUCH FORCE IT WOULD JUMP PASSED THE DESIRED POINT. THIS WOULD CAUSE ME TO HAVE TO CORRECT TO THE LEFT WHERE THE CYCLE BEGINS AGAIN. KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE IS NOW VERY DIFFICULT. *TR

STEERING BINDING WHEN MOVING STEERING TO LEFT OR RIGHT FROM THE CENTER POSITION

STEERING HAS A "NOTCHED" OR "STICKY" FEEL TO IT WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS AROUND 50MPH AND HIGHER. WHEN THE NEED TO TURN ARISES AND THE STEERING WHEEL "STICKS" IN THE 'NOTCH", IT REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO GET THE WHEEL OUT OF THE NOTCH, CAUSING "OVER STEER" WITH DIFFICULT RECOVERY. I WON'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE Z-4 AS I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS CHARACTERISTIC THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. MY DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SITUATION BUT WAS "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THE FAULT; (PRIOR TO MY WARRANTY RUNNING OUT). ON THE FOLLOWING SERVICE, WITH MY RENEWED COMPLAINT, THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE AND IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. MY BMW WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, BUT I HAD PURCHASED AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY", HOWEVER THE "STEERING" PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE NEW WARRANTY. THE COST FOR REPAIR WAS IN EXCESS OF $3000.00! I HAVE PARKED THE CAR EXCEPT FOR LOCAL SLOW SPEED, COOL DAY RIDES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA HAS LOOKED INTO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM MY BMW DEALER YET. ??? A COMPUTERIZED "BRAKE SENSOR" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR MANY YEARS AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO BE REMEDIED. THE DEALER CHECKED THE BRAKES AND THEY ARE FINE, JUST CAN'T GET THE "SENSOR LIGHT" TO STAY OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CONTINUALLY OVER STEER AND WOULD BECOME STUCK IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

THE Z4 HAS AN POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHERE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR AND DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE. SOMETIMES THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK. I THINK THAT THE CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE I AM A WOMAN AND MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER UPPER BODY STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE CAR! *TR

BROUGHT MY CAR OUT OF STORAGE FOR THE YEAR. WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD PULL BOTH TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT DEPENDING ON LANE CHOICE. STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT IS CLICKING FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER. CONSTANT STEERING INPUT REQUIRED TO KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. ALIGNMENT IS FINE, TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED AND BALANCED. IT'S LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS SLIPPING FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER WITHOUT MOVING IT. *TR

ON FIRST HOT DAY OF THE YEAR (85 DEGREES F), THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS "STICKING". IT TOOK EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO TURN MORE THAN DESIRED. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *KB

AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (A 2004 BMW Z4 WITH ONLY 34500 MILES) ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED A "STICKING" IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (APPROXIMATELY 1ST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2012). WHICH OF COURSE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING BEING THAT I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. BUT CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE CAR I HOPED IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR SOMETIME. I WAS WRONG IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM. AFTER VERY LITTLE RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. APPARENTLY IT IS DUE TO EXPANSION OF A GEAR IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO HEAT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I FELT I HAD FOUND A GOOD CAR CONSIDERING THE VERY LOW MILEAGE. I'VE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEIR STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER 3000 DOLLARS! THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE ON A CAR WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT! THIS IS DEFINITELY DANGEROUS! FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO "STICK" AND REQUIRE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED EFFORT TO TURN IS A SERIOUS DANGER! THE DANGER OF OVER CORRECTION IS UNDENIABLE. AFTER A RECENT SHORT TRIP DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY FOREARMS WERE VERY FATIGUED AFTER TRYING TO KEEP THIS CAR ON COURSE FOR JUST A FEW MILES.I JUST WONDER HOW MANY WRECKS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS DEFECT. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A COMPANY OF BMW'S STATURE WOULD NOT BE DOING EVERYTHING WITHIN ITS POWER TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY. I GUESS SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO GET HURT FIRST. INSTEAD OF BEING PROACTIVE AND P

I HAVE THE "Z4 STICKY STEERING" PROBLEM WHICH IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. STEERING IS OK WHEN COLD OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND OCCURS ONLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS OVER 75 DEGREES F AND AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY RESISTS TURNING (STICKS) AND, WHEN ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED, FINALLY RELEASES AND TURNS UNTIL ANOTHER STICKY ZONE CREATES RESISTANCE. THIS MAKES SLIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS IMPOSSIBLE AND RESULTS IN A ZIG ZAG RATHER THAT STRAIGHT LINE PATH DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE EFFORT LEVEL IS MUCH TOO HIGH FOR DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND COMPROMISES THE ABILITY TO PREDICTABLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE EFFORT LEVEL TO OVERCOME THE STICKINESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION IS COMPARABLE TO THAT REQUIRED FOR PARALLEL PARKING OF AN OLD NON POWER STEERING VEHICLE. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS RECALLED FOR MUCH LESS SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAN THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO REMAIN DRIVING IN THE SAME LANE OR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NEEDED TO TURN WHEEL SAFELY AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WITH POOR ROAD CONDITIONS, THIS EFFECT IS SEVERELY EXAGGERATED!!! STEERING BINDS UP WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS RESULTING IN OVERCORRECTIONS IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH ME AND OTHER VEHICLES IF I WERE TO CROSS LANES DUE TO OVERCORRECTION SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME STIFF. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TOWARD THE RIGHT AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURED WAS CONTACTED VIA POSTAL MAIL BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

VEHICLE BOUGHT JULY 2011 WITH 40000 MILES. IN DECEMBER, 2011 ON THE RETURN TRIP (200 MILES EACH WAY), AFTER A 5 HR LAYOVER, THE STEERING ON THE CAR STARTED TO STICK IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. WHEN THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND STEERING NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL A LOT OF FORCE WAS APPLIED AND THEN THE CAR WOULD OVER CORRECT TO THE RIGHT, SOME TIMES GOING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT DID NOT SEEM TO BE AS PREVALENT WHEN CORRECTIONS TO THE LEFT WERE NEEDED. SINCE THEN IT HAS OCCURRED ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, ALWAYS ON EXPRESSWAYS AND AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 70 DEGREES F. *KB

THE STEERING BINDS AT ALMOST ANY SPEED. I NOTICED IT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT FORWARD. WHEN A CORRECTION IN DIRECTION IS MADE THE WHEEL BINDS UNTIL GREATER PRESSURE IS APPLIED. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS REQUIRING EVEN MORE PRESSURE FOR THE CORRECTION. I CALLED BMWNA AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM IN FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS AROUND BMW'S Z-4 2004. *TR

THE STEERING BECOMES STUCK. UNDER HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE ERRATIC CONTROL AND ULTIMATELY AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING SEEMS TO BIND AND NEEDS GREATER PRESSURE TO FREE THE STEERING ITSELF. *TR

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

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

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

WATER GETS INTO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE RUBBER GROMMET THAT CARRIES THE MAIN BATTERY CABLE FROM THE TRUNK TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT IS A WELL THAT ALSO HOUSES THE CAR STEREO AMPLIFIER. AMPLIFIER WAS SITTING IN ABOUT 2 INCHES OF WATER CAUSING THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO SHORT OUT AND CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

WATER GETS INTO THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT THROUGH THE RUBBER GROMMET THAT CARRY'S THE MAIN BATTERY CABLE FROM THE TRUNK TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR. CAR STEREO AMPLIFIER DESTROYED. *TR

WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY MY CAR EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING ISSUE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD "FREEZE" OR "STICK" IN ONE PLACE. I HAD TO EXERT A LOT OF FORCE ON THE WHEEL TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE BUT WHEN IT "BROKE FREE" IT TURNED A LOT WITH THE HELP OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE I WAS PUTTING SO MUCH FORCE ON THE WHEEL TO GET IT TO MOVE. I HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN MY LANE. THE POWER STEERING WAS DOING THIS THE ENTIRE DRIVE HOME OF 20 MILES. THE CAR WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FIXED SINCE IT IS A HAZARD. IF THE POWER STEERING WAS JUST NOT WORKING AT ALL, IT WOULD BE OKAY BECAUSE THEN AT LEAST THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE HARD TO MOVE ALL OF THE TIME SO I COULD CONTROL HOW MUCH I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ACCURATELY. SINCE THE POWER STEERING WORKS "INTERMITTENTLY" BUT ONLY AFTER I APPLY A LOT OF FORCE ON THE WHEEL TO GET THE WHEEL TO BREAK FREE, THE CAR VEERS VIOLENTLY WHEN THE POWER STEERING ACTUALLY DOES WORK. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON PER THE WEBSITE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. THIS FAILURE IS REPORTED TO THE NHTSA ON CARS RANGING FROM 15,000 MILES UP TO OVER 100,000 MILES. THE PROBLEM FROM WHAT I WAS READING, IS MORE EVIDENT IN COLD OR HOT TEMPERATURES. IT WAS 102F OUTSIDE TODAY IN PHOENIX ON MY DRIVE HOME. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF WHEN THERE WAS A PASSENGER. THE AIR BAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT TURNED ON AFTER THIS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAG WILL INFLATE IF THERE IS A PASSENGER IN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION AND REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE CONSTANT FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A FAULTY PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT MAT SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT PLANNED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

ON HOT DAYS THE STEERING WILL CATCH AND REQUIRE UNUSUALLY HIGHER FORCE TO STEER RIGHT OR LEFT. LATER AT NIGHT WHEN THE CAR IS COOLER THE STEERING WILL BE NORMAL. *TR

UPON STARTING UP THE BMW Z4 THERE WAS NOTICEABLE PLAY IN THE STEERING. THE PLAY IN THE STEERING IS ENOUGH TO SO THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT IS AT LEAST 4 INCHES FROM ENGAGEMENT RIGHT TO ENGAGEMENT LEFT. IN ADDITION, ONCE THERE IS ENGAGEMENT IT ENGAGES WITH WHAT MAY BE DESCRIBED AS A STICKY SPOT AFTER WHICH IT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE STEERING AGAIN DISENGAGES AND THERE IS THE 4 INCHES OF PLAY BEFORE IT RE-ENGAGES. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN STEERING STRAIGHT AHEAD THE STEERING HAS THE 4 INCHES OF PLAY MAKING THE CAR WEAVE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT AND WHEN CORRECTING THIS WEAVE THE STEERING JERKS THROUGH THE STICKY SPOT AT THE BEGINNING OF STEERING ENGAGEMENT AND BY THE TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED JUST ENOUGH TO STAY ON THE ROAD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THE PLAY MAKES THE CAR VEER IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. IN ORDER TO DRIVE THIS CAR ON A NICE HIGHWAY IT IS NECESSARY TO CONSTANTLY RAPIDLY MOVER THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THE FOUR INCHES OF PLAY OR THE CAR WOULD GO INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROAD. I WOULD FEEL SAFER IF I KNEW IT WOULD GO OFF THE ROAD BUT THE PROBLEM IS PLAY IN THE MIDDLE AND IT COULD GO EITHER INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROAD. IT IS QUITE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND WERE TOLD THIS WAS A $3000 PLUS REPAIR. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS MANUFACTURES DEFECT SHOULD BE A CHARGEABLE REPAIR. I GUESS WE WILL JUST NEED TO WAIT FOR A CRASH O

THE STEERING STICKS WHILE DRIVING. VERY SCARY SO I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 4 OR 5 MILE TRIPS. WON'T TAKE IT ON A HIGHWAY ANYMORE, SINCE I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE STEERING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES HAD BROKEN BANDS AND THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WHAT I WAS FEELING, SO I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHATEVER ELSE MIGHT BE NECESSARY. THE TIRES WERE A HUGE EXPENSE. I CAN'T VERY WELL SELL THE CAR, SINCE I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE. PLEASE HELP. TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT, FOR THIS TO BE EXPECTED AND ACCEPTABLE.