2006 BMW Z4

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Risk. An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Defect. BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Risk. An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.

The electronic steering has failed several times while driving. This makes it very difficult to maintain a lane and avoid other vehicles. This problem continues intermittently. Thousands of Z4 owners have reported the same issue in online forums.

In hot weather, the steering binds, making keeping the car in the correct lane extremely difficult. The car will dart from one side to the other. The car will be nearly impossible to keep in the correct lane.

I have just found out that my 2006 BMW Z4 Convertible has serious wiring issues. The wires for example on my front headlights the insulation is falling off the and leaving bare wires. I am very concerned this could be a fire safety issue that could result in bare electrical wires shorting together and starting a car fire. My research shows that many people who have 2006 BMW Z4 Convertibles are having this same issue. This seems to be a real issue with BMW using cheap wiring harnesses material and over time due heat and cooling is cause the insulation to fail and resulting in this issue.

When the car gets hot (parked in the sun) the steering becomes knotchy or sticky and the car becomes difficult to control. No problems whatsoever when the car is cool or on a cooler day. This problem has been witnessed by a BMW technician and there are no warning lights. This appears to be a fairly common issues with these cars.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PCV valve heater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, there was a burning odor on the inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the engine spark plugs however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The contact waited for the vehicle to cool down and then restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer several times. The dealer completed the engine lifters replacement and other unknown repairs however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while stopped at the traffic light, the vehicle began to overheat significantly and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact later pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The Steering wheel gets Hard, looks like power steering gets disabled automatically while driving, making it almost impossible to steer. This has started to happen after hot weather had started few months back. I have tried to reproduce this issue several times, but it happens randomly and Not all the time. I don't drive the car much. But this is definitely a serious issue, I checked the BMW community and a lot of people are facing this issue. Not Sure how many have filed a complaint here. But this definitely should be addressed by BMW as this is not just one person facing this issue, there are hundreds and thousands of them. Level of severity is high, as someone who might have not faced this issue yet might suddenly face it on the highway could result in an extremely fatal accident. Havent reported to BMW yet, But found this issue is being faced by alot of people I thought to file my complaint here. I will soon get it repaired or replaced. There were no Warning lamps or messages prior to this. It started happening in September 2021.

When the outside temperatures are warmer (mid 80's and above) the steering wheel will stick in the center position and require it to be jerked a bit to keep control. This occurs at all speeds, but does not seem to be the case when stopped. since it requires the steering wheel to be jerked to correct, it can cause the car to swerve. I have had the car for several years began noticing the issue once the weather got warmer. The date entered below is today's date, but I have had the issue for perhaps 5 years.

During warm weather the steering will momentary stick while driving which requires additional force to overcome. This happens at all speeds but is more noticeable at highway speeds while trying to maintain vehicle in driving lane. There are numerous complaints of this on the NHTSA site. I have written to BMW North America about this safety problem and mentioned the multitude of similar complaints but they refuse to address the problem and suggest I purchase a new steering column at $2500+!

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP ON THE 2006 Z4 BMW HAS A MECHANISM THAT RAISES AND LOWERS THAT FAILS. IT'S LOCATION IS SUCH THAT IT IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR (USED)I WENT TO A BMW MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THAT IF I DID HAVE HIM FIX IT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. TALKING TO OTHER BMW MECHANICS I GOT THE SAME INFO.

VEHICLE STEERING BECOMES "STICKY" AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO WARM TEMPERATURES. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING TO CENTER AND REQUIRE GREATER THAN USUAL FORCE TO OFF CENTER THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

WENT TO CHANGE MY HEADLIGHT BULB AND NOTICES ALL OF THE WIRES WERE BARE. THE SHEATHING AROUND THE WIRES HAVE ALL CORRODED. THIS IS FOR THE COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. EVERY SINGLE WIRE HAS CORRODED. SEEMS LIKE A FIRE HAZARD.

ABOUT 9 YEARS (2015) AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 55K MILES WHEN ISSUE BEGAN. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A MINOR OR MAJOR ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. CONTACTED BMW ABOUT ISSUE, BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY OF THE AIRBAG RECALLS THEY'VE INITIATED. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY ME TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE AND CONTINUED TO UTILIZE VEHICLE WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. IN FEBRUARY 2018, RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW REGARDING WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 15 YEARS FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT (OC3) FOR AIR BAG SYSTEM. BELIEVING AIRBAG ISSUE WAS DUE TO OC3 MAT, BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO LOCAL BMW DEALER TO GET REPAIR. BMW DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A "RESTRAINT PASS LOWER BELT UNIT FAULTING" AND NOT OC3 MAT. HAD REPAIR PERFORMED SUCCESSFULLY.

THE INSULATED WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAS HARDENED AND THE INSULATION HAD CRACKED AND FALLEN OFF. THIS ALLOWS THE WIRES TO SHORT AND CAUSES UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND OTHER ITEMS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE LIGHTS FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AND INTERMITTENTLY.

VERY STICKY STEERING, DANGEROUS IN HOT WEATHER, THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO CORRECT IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

MY BATTERY IS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT I CAN'T START THE ENGINE.-700KM OIL SERVICE WARNING LIGHT DISPLAY ON MY DASH.FUEL PUMP IS WORKING.THEM OPEN THE KEY LIKE THAT SOUND GAP GAP IS COME OUT...PLS HELP ME...

STEERING APPEARS TO BE STICKING OR STAYING AT A CERTAIN POINT IN THE STEERING RADIUS. I ALMOST VEERED INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I COMPENSATED IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT RELEASED ITS "STICK" AND TURN TO MUCH AND ALMOST VEERED INTO TRAFFIC I WAS IN. VERY SCARY, VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF MUCH INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. BAD

RECURRING PROBLEM WITH STEERING INPUT EFFORT WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. THE STEERING STICKS WHEN IN THE CENTER POSITION. RESISTANCE IS FELT AND IS DIFFICULT TO RETURN BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. STICKING PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WITH WARM OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOVE 80 DEGREES. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES.

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FAILED 2011/30229 MILES, STILL UNDER CPO WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TOPPED OFF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND CLAIMED NO LEAK FOUND. IT FAILED AGAIN 2014/45809 MILES. THIS TIME SEALS WERE REPLACED AND HYDRAULIC LINES. GOODWILL REPAIR WITH 50% OUT OF POCKET. IT FAILED AGAIN EARLIER THIS YEAR 2018/62112 MILES. THIS TIME I WAS QUOTED $2,938 TO $3,658. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED IN MAY AND WAS WAITING FOR AN ANSWER OF THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT BMW ASSISTING WITH THE REPAIR AND HAD NOT HEARD BACK. I INQUIRED AGAIN TWO DAYS AGO AND GOT A REPLY THAT BMW WOULD NOT PICK UP ANY OF THE REPAIR COST. IT APPEARS THAT IT WAS A SLOWLY DEVELOPING DEFECT. WHERE WOULD HAVE THE FLUID HAVE GONE AT THE FIRST REPAIR? ALSO DOING SOME RESEARCH TURNED UP A LOT OF THE SAME TROUBLE FOR OTHER OWNERS. APPARENTLY IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. WATER NOT DRAINING BECAUSE OF CLOGGING AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE AND SET ON FIRE, RESULTING IN A HOUSE BEING BURNED DOWN AND THE FATALITY OF MY FATHER. THE FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT WAS INCONCLUSIVE AS TO HOW THE FIRE STARTED.

STEERING IS EXTREMELY NOTCHY AND UNPREDICTABLE, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. WHEN IN MOTION, THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRES FORCE TO TURN, AND SOMETIMES WILL TURN SLIGHTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. IT APPEARS THAT THE POWER ASSIST STEERING IS ACTUATING WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE, CAUSING EITHER RESISTANCE TO STEERING INPUTS, OR APPLYING FORCE WHEN NO STEERING INPUT HAS BEEN APPLIED. WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING, OR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE POWER ASSIST MOTOR. IT ACTUATES WHEN NO STEERING INPUTS ARE BEING APPLIED. WHEN STEERING INPUTS ARE APPLIED, TOO MUCH RESISTANCE CAN BE FELT AND THE MOTOR MAKES ADDITIONAL NOISES. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 2016, AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE APPROXIMATELY SPRING OF 2016. IT HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.

DURING WEATHER ABOVE 80 DEGREES, THE STEERING BECOMES "TWITCHY" OR "NOTCHY," NO LONGER SMOOTH, BUT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, AT WHICH POINT, THE TIRES MOVE MORE THAN NEEDED, REQUIRING A STEERING ADJUSTMENT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CAR DOES NOT HOLD A "LINE" AS WELL, REQUIRING A SERIES OF SMALL LEFT AND RIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS.

ON WARM DAYS THE STEERING ON MY 2006 BMW Z4 BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND UNPREDICTABLE. ON HOT DAYS IT IS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ IN MANY PLACES THAT THIS IS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. ONE SOURCE WHO IS AN ASE-CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN SAYS THAT THE "BMW Z4 STICKY STEERING IS RELATED TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, THAT HAS BEEN RECTIFIED AS OF 2007 AND UP. THERE IS A BEARING LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT IS NOT SEALED. WITH TIME AND WHEN HOT, THE LUBRICANT GETS DRY AND GUMS UP. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THERE IS NOT A RACE FOR THE BEARING TO RIDE IN ' THE INNER RACE IS ACTUALLY THE STEERING SHAFT ITSELF, WHICH IS A POOR DESIGN". MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2006 AND HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. BMW APPARENTLY WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECTED IT THE FOLLOWING MODEL YEAR. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH COULD GET WORSE OVER TIME. BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.

IN HIGHER TEMPERATURES THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VERY STICKY FEELING, FEELS UNSAFE. STEERING WILL NOT RETURN, WITHOUT ASSISTANCE WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES.

MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 65K MILES ON IT WHEN THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATED AN ISSUE. IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/06. READING FROM THE COMPUTER INDICATED A PASSENGER OCCUPANCY MAT FAILURE. BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS THROUGH MODEL YEAR 05 BUT WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR 2006. I CALLED BMW USA AND ESCALATED IT. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND STATED IT WILL NOT BE COVERED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM OPERATING IN CASE OF A COLLISION FOR THE PASSENGER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2006 MODEL OCCUPANCY MAT WITH THIS MY AND I THINK BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO COVER THIS SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM BMW DEALER AS A PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR UNDER FULL WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ADDRESS REPAIRS UNDER THE CURRENT RECALLS. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED THE SAME WAY AS PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR Z4 VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO RECALL 13V-564 THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BUT BMW SAYS NO! HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/OWNERS/SEARCHRESULTS?REFURL=EMAIL&SEARCHTYPE=ID&TARGETCATEGORY=R&SEARCHCRITERIA.NHTSA_IDS=13V564

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOISED THAT THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REAPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

FAULTY STEERING WITH OUR 2006 BMW Z4. THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO STICKING STEERING IN HOT WEATHER. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS AVOIDED A RECALL. A RECALL IS WARRANTED.

FAULTY STEERING. STEERING IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF STICKY STEERING. IN HOT WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. STEERING IS MUCH WORSE.

THE PROBLEM OF THE STICKY STEERING OF THE Z4 IS RELATED TO THE WORM/REDUCTION GEAR MECHANISM THAT TRANSMITS THE TORQUE FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR TO THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CIRCULAR REDUCTION GEAR HAS A NYLON CROWN WITH TEETH. ALL THE SURROUNDING PARTS ARE METAL (STEEL OR ALUMINIUM). THE THERMAL EXPANSION OF THE NYLON IS 3X BIGGER THAN THE SURROUNDING PARTS. TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS EXPANSION, THERE SHOULD BE A CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE WORM GEAR AND THE REDUCTION GEAR. UNFORTUNATELY BMW AND THEIR STEERING SUPPLIER ZF NACAM CHOSE THIS CLEARANCE TOO SMALL. WHEN THE NYLON GETS WARM, THE CLEARANCE WITH THE WORM GEAR BECOMES ZERO AND THE REDUCTION GEAR IS STUCK WITH THE WORM GEAR. THE FRICTION INCREASES DRAMATICALLY AND YOU WILL THEN "FEEL" THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL TEETH OF THE REDUCTION GEAR. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR DESIGEN AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY, SCARY WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE WARM. IT HAS SCARED ME TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN ITS ABOVE 70 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. ANY SPEED FROM 10 TO 70 MPH

VERY STICKY STEERING, DANGEROUS IN HOT WEATHER, THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. I HAVE 65K MILES ON VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR OVER A YEAR TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED, NO ACCIDENT.

SPRING IN STEERING WHEEL THAT IS PART OF AIR BAG CAUSES WARNING LIGHT. LESS THAN 50 K MILES ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HAVE HAD 2 REPLACE THE BATTERIES TWICE IN 5 YEARS. HAVING TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR TWICE, AND THE CONSOLE CONTROLS FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. LASTLY, WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM AND YOU COME TO A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SURGES DRASTICALLY. BMW SERVICE CLAIMS THAT IT IS NORMAL. AND

MY 2006 BMW Z4 HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING GETTING STUCK OR NOTCHY DURING WARMER TEMPERATURES. THE STEERING SEEMS TO GET STUCK. IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO CORRECT IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MANY Z4 MODELS SUFFER FROM THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED

CHANGING A HEADLIGHT BULB ON DRIVERS SIDE NOTICED FLAKING INSULATION ON WIRING HARNESS. IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING HEADLAMP, INSULATION ON ALL THE WIRING ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THIS SAME CONDITION EXISTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS WOULD SEEM TO PRESENT A FIRE HAZARD AT WORST AND A LOSS OF LIGHTING AT THE LEAST. I UNDERSTAND FROM READING VARIOUS FORUMS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ACROSS MANY BMW MODELS. FURTHER, IT APPEARS THAT BMW USED A SOY BASED INSULATION PRODUCT ON THESE WIRES. ISN'T SOY BIODEGRADABLE? WHY WOULD THIS BE USED IN A WIRING HARNESS.

STEERING IS "STICKY" WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. FEEL A RESISTANCE WHEN MAKING A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT THUS RESULTING IN OVERSTEERING.

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE. 2006 BMW Z4. SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHOUT STRESS ON THE SEAT. IT APPEARS TO FAIL OVER TIME. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEFAULTS TO OFF CONDITION. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WITH A PASSENGER IN THE CAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. 2005 AND EARLIER MODELS HAVE BEEN OFFERED A 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART. NO ADDITIONAL WARRANTY HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR 2006 MODELS.

THE STEERING ON THE BMW IS EXTREMELY JERKY AND ERRATIC. IT SEEMS TO JUMP AND DOES NOT STEER EASILY. IT'S HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL TURN RATHER .QUICKLY. THE STEERING STICKS, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL JERK TO THE SIDE THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO STEER TOO. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND BMW NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND GET THE PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. ONCE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, I CAN SEE A HUGE LAWSUIT AGAINST BMW BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL OF CARS BUT WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE THEM RECALL THE Z4'S THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND LET THEM FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THANKS

WHILE DRIVING STEERING IS HARD TO TURN LOTS OF RESISTANCE THEN MOVES AND IS LOOSE . THIS COMES AND GOES HOWEVER SEAMS TO GET WORSE WITH HIGHER TEMPERATURE . OTHER TIMES IT'S JUST LOOSE OTHER TIMES FINE. MANY EXAMPLES IF YOU LOOK IT UP, MOST CALL IT STICKY STEERING. CAR HAS HAD FRONT END ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING CHECKING FOR WEAR { HAVE LIFE TIME ALIGNMENT} . NO CODES. AS I SAID THIS IS A BMW PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE. FUN CAR TO DRIVE BUT I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I CAN SEE WHERE THIS PROBLEM COULD EASILY CAUSE YOU TO END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. DEFIANTLY NOT AN ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE NOW.

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ON - PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION IN EVENT OF COLLISION. PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING CODE CAN NOT BE RESET. THE CAR AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN ACTIVATED BY COLLISION. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FIRST APPEARED WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN GARAGE AND IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY COLLISION EVENTS. IT APPEARS TO BE LINKED TO SIMILARLY REPORTED BMW MODELS RECALLS INVOLVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT FAILURES, WHICH REQUIRES SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM IS IT IS NOT CLEAR IF CURRENT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT RECALLS INCLUDE AND COVER THE BMW 2006 Z4 PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT REPLACEMENT. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM BMW DEALER AS A PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR UNDER FULL WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ADDRESS REPAIRS UNDER THE CURRENT RECALLS.NEED YOUR HELP, THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY Z4 ON THE ROAD AND THE NUMBER OF OWNER REPORTED FAILURES IS LIKELY TO BE A SMALL NUMBER BUT THIS DOES NOT DIMINISH THE FACT THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MAT IN A Z4 ARE THE SAME EQUIPMENT BEING RECALLED FOR OTHER BMW MODELS. PLEASE EXTEND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 2006 Z4 MODELS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE BATTERY ON THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD AND REPLACED. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE IS IN "TRANSPORTATION MODE". UNDER THIS MODE, THE AC, FAN AND REAR DEFROSTER DO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO REINITIALIZE THE SOFTWARE TO REMOVE THE TRANSPORTATION MODE. *TR

STEERING IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 85F. IT IS NOT SPEED DEPENDENT. WHEN STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION THERE IS A STICKING FEEL THE RESULTS IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OVERSTEER. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON BASED ON BMW OWNER FORUMS AND IS WELL DOCUMENT IN THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ISSUE RESULTS IN INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR

I JUST PURCHASED A 2006 Z4 3.0I WITH 21000 MILES FROM A DEALERSHIP IN WILMINGTON, NC. DURING THE TEST DRIVE I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS UNUSUALLY STIFF AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR WAS SOMEWHAT HARD TO KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I DISMISSED THE ISSUE AS A POSSIBLE ALIGNMENT OR WORN OUT TIRE ISSUE. ON THE 120 MILE DRIVE HOME TO RALEIGH, NC THE STEERING BECAME MORE AND MORE ERRATIC, PUSHING THE CAR HALF WAY TO THE OTHER LANE. I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS GETTING REALLY STICKY AND JERKY THE LONGER I DROVE. WHEN TRYING TO SLIGHTLY CORRECT THE TRAJECTORY OF THE CAR TO ANY SIDE, THE STEERING WOULD NOT REACT TO LIGHT TORQUE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS IT WOULD WITH ANY OTHER CAR I'VE DRIVEN BEFORE. WHEN APPLYING MORE FORCE THE STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP A DEGREE OR MORE, CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERSTEER AND MAKING FOR SOME RALLY SCARY AND ERRATIC MANEUVERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THIS UNEXPECTED JUMP, THE CAR WOULD DO THE SAME THING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE RIGHT AND LEFT. LATER, WHEN COMING OUT OF A LONG RIGHT TURN ON A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD, THE STEERING WAS STUCK IN THE RIGHT TURN POSITION AND SUDDENLY POPPED INTO A LEFT TURNING POSITION, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING SEMI TRUCK. SINCE THE BEHAVIOR IS SO UNPREDICTABLE AND HARD TO CONTROL, I CONSIDER THIS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I GOT LUCKY AND I AM CONVINCED THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE ONE MORNING AND NOTICED A SLIGHT STICKING FEELING IN MY STEERING. THINKING IT WAS A TIRE, I RAN MY ERRAND AND CHECKED MY TIRE INFLATION. ONE WEEK LATER WE TOOK A SHORT TRIP (50 MILES) AND THE FURTHER I GOT DOWN THE ROAD, THE MORE I FELT THIS NOTCH IN THE CENTER OF MY STEERING. WHEN ONE TRIES TO OVERCOME THIS NOTCH, YOU OVERCORRECT THE STEERING AND COULD POSSIBLY DART OFF TOO FAST. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. AGAIN WE CHECKED OUR TIRES WHICH SEEMED TO BE FINE, THEN DETERMINED IT WAS IN THE STEERING. WE RESEARCHED FOR SIMILAR SITUATIONS ON LINE AND FOUND THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS PRIOR TO 06/2006. OUR CAR WAS MFG. 04/2006. IS THERE A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THIS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM? *TR

EPS SUDDENLY DISCONNECT THE POWER STEERING, DIFFICULT TO STEER. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SEAT MAT SENSOR SHORTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE CAM AND THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

JUST PURCHASED THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO AND I LIVE IN TEXAS. THE CAR DRIVES FINE IN THE MORNING BUT AFTER IT SITS IN THE SUN ALL DAY LONG AND YOU DRIVE IT THE STEERING IS STICKY, MEANING THAT IT WANTS TO TURN RIGHT WITHOUT CAUSE AND THEN JUMPS BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 Z4 3.0 WITH 69K MILES. HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE NOTICED A STEERING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. MOST RELATE TO ISSUES IN HOT TEMPERATURES, MINE IS MORE RELATED TO SPEED. HERE ARE THE SYMPTOMS... AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 20MPH) STEERING IS VERY LIGHT AND SMOOTH, NO ISSUES AT ALL. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE STEERING GETS HEAVIER (AS IT SHOULD) BUT DEVELOPS A "DETENT" AT STRAIGHT CENTER. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES. *TR