2004 BMW Z4 Complaint Log

STEERING JERKY JUST PURCHASED A USED BMW 2004 Z4 ONLY 50,000 MILES AND DROVE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS THEN IT GOT REAL HOT OUTSIDE AND NOW THE STEERING IS JERKING ME AROUND. FEELS LIKE WHEN I TRY TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LINES I AM HAVING TO FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LINES OF THE ROAD. BMW WANTS TO CHARGE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE COLUMN AT 3800.00 . APPEARS THEY RECALLED 2006-2007 BMW OTHER MODELS FOR THIS SAME THING. THE 2003-2004 Z4 SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED.

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 IN MD WENT TO GO AROUND A BEND IN ROAD STEERING WHEEL DIDN'T WANT TO TURN. I HAD TO JERK THE WHEEL TO MAKE THE BEND THUS MAKING ME ALMOST HIT CAR BESIDE ME. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW BUT IN 14 YEARS NO RECALL IS INSANE. I AM NOW SCARED TO DRIVE THIS THING OUT ON A HIGHWAY AGAIN.HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FOR THIS TO GET FIXED

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING 'STICKS' AND REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO OVERCOME TO STAY ON THE ROAD. SEVERAL NEAR INCIDENTS WHEN IT FINALLY UN STICKS AND GOES TO FAR IN THE OTHER DIRECTION.. ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE.

IN THE SPRING OF 2018 THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL BECOMING STUCK, NOTCHY AND QUICKLY TERRIFYING TO DRIVE. THE LACK OF RESPONSE, OVER CORRECTION ONCE ENGAGED, OVERALL JUMPINESS AND UNPREDICTABILITY CAUSED ME TO STOP HIGHWAY DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. NON HIGHWAY DRIVING CEASED WITHIN DAYS FOR THE SAME REASONS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE WAITING FOR A USED STEERING COLUMN TO BECOME AVAILABLE FOR $800 INSTEAD OF $3500 PLUS INSTALL. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011 WITH 110,000 MILES AND IT FAILED AT 130,000. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE ENGINE SHOULD BE GOOD FOR ANOTHER 100,000 EASILY. THIS STEERING FAILURE APPEARS TO BE COMMON IN THIS CAR WITH MANY GARAGE KEPT LOW MILEAGE CARS YET TO BE IMPACTED.

STEERING FEELS LIKE IT LOCKS UP TEMPORARILY OR STICKS WHEN DRIVING. WHEN THE WHEELS IS IN A POSITION, LIKE NORMAL DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE, ANY MOVEMENT OF THE WHEEL IS MET WITH RESISTANCE, REQUIRING A LOT OF FORCE TO INITIATE ANY MOVEMENT. BECAUSE OF THIS I CAN'T EVEN LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. IT IS VERY UNSETTLING WHEN DRIVING AND I TRULY FEEL LIKE THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE FOR NEEDED TO INITIATE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION, THE RESULT IS UNWANTED LANE MOVEMENT AND POTENTIALLY UNWANTED LANE DEPARTURE. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS LESS THAN 85K MILES AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION OTHERWISE. BMW NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THIS INCREASINGLY HAZARDOUS DESIGN FLAW AND FIX THIS CAR. I OWN THREE BMWS AND VERY PLEASED WITH THEIR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF OTHER KNOWN ISSUES. THIS STEERING ISSUE IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND CORRECTIVE ACTION IS NEEDED. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE MAKE YOUR BEST EFFORT TO HAVE BMW INITIATE CORRECTIVE ACTION. THANK YOU AND PLEASE KNOW YOUR WORK IS APPRECIATED. *TR

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT HAS A DEFECTIVE SENSOR. IT INDICATES THAT A CHILD'S WEIGHT IS IN THE SEAT AND THEREFORE WILL NOT PERMIT THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE FAULT CODE CAN BE RESET, THE LIGHT GOES OUT; STAYS OUT FOR WEEKS AND LIGHTS UP AT RANDOM AGAIN! CLEARING THE FAULT CODE IS BURDENSOME AND DISABLING THE AIR BAG INAPPROPRIATELY IS A SAFETY DEFECT.

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.

STEERING VEHICLE IS NOT EASY TO STAY STRAIGHT AND IN LANE. DOES NOT FEEL LIKE IN CONTROL OF CAR. TIRES ARE OK AND HAD ALIGNMENT. VERY NOTICEABLE ON HIGHWAY.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE ULTIMATE AUTOWERKS DEALER (LOCATED AT 2538 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA 29414; 843-406-8955) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SEAT MAT SENSOR/ PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION MAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED AND BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF SAN DIEGO, AR 5090 KEARNY MESA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

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

STICKY STEERING AT HIGHER STRAIGHT-LINE SPEEDS UNSAFE TO DRIVE!

THE VEHICLE HAS 62,000 MILES. THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY. IT SEEMS TO "NOTCH" MAKING IT HARDER TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THIS PROBLEM IS WORSE IN WARMER TEMPERATURES.

ANYTIME AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS OVER 80 DEGREES. EXCESSIVE FORCE IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

STEERING IS "STICKY" AND CAN CAUSE ME TO SWERVE OUT OF MY LANE WHILE DRIVING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. AFTER THE PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPENED, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT A DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT DISCLOSED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000. UPDATED 03/07/17*LJ *CN

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.

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.

THE STEERING STICKS LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT. CAR IS VERY HARD TO DRIVE SAFELY. THE CAR SITS IN THE GARAGE MOST OF TIME BECAUSE OF THIS. HELP!!

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE STEERING BECOMES STIFF AND STICKY CAUSING DECREASED RESPONSIVENESS ON CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT IT TAKES EXTRA EFFORT ON TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. ONCE THE STICKING IS RELEASED COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO OVERCOMPENSATE THE STEERING IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER. I FEEL THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION.

THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHILE DRIVING. TAKES A LOT OF FORCE TO ALIGN THE CAR WITH THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE DEALER QUOTED 4000 TO FIX

IN HOT TEMPERATURES OR AFTER DRIVING CONTINUOUS FOR AWHILE, THE STEERING BECOMES HARD TO STEER LIKE THEIR IS A HITCH WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL OR A FORCE WORKING AGAINST YOU. CAR ONLY HAS 40000 MILES AND WAS SERVICED EVERY 5000 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL BMW DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE RACK WITH REPAIR BEING $1500. WAS NOT TOLD THIS WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. IN MOTION WHEN HAPPENS AND APPEARS TO BE DANGEROUS. HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

THE STEERING GETS JERKY IN WARMER WEATHER MAKING THE CAR EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. THE STEERING ALMOST APPEARS TO HAVE GOTTEN STUCK IN A NOTCH ON THE COLUMN AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO PUT EXTRA FORCE INTO TURNING THE WHEEL TO CORRECT IT. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WHEN THE TEMPS ARE ABOVE 80. WHEN DRIVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS THIS DOESN'T APPEAR TO HAPPEN. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE THIS ISSUE APPEARS TO HAPPEN WITH MOST 2003-2005 Z4S WITHOUT ANY RESOLUTION. THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.

STEERING STICKS AND REQUIRES FORCE TO ALTER STEERING PATH. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN WARMER CONDITIONS. I PURCHASED MY Z4 WITH ONLY 64,000 MILES FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. ISSUE WITH STEERING WAS NOT DISCLOSED AND WAS NOT NOTICED DURING TEST DRIVE. HOWEVER, I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN AND AN ISSUED FOR MANY BMW Z4 OWNERS PRIOR TO 2006. THIS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME, AND SHOULD BE FOR BMW AS WELL. I AM FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO REPORT THIS ISSUE BUT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NOT MUCH HAS BEEN DONE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO DATE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, AND WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TO GET THIS RESOLVED FOR ME PERSONALLY. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO HAVE A CATCH IN IT WHEN DRIVING AND YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. WHEN YOU DRIVING AND ARE GOING FROM LANE TO LANE OR AROUND A CURVE IT WILL STICK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE DRIVER TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL AND CAUSE THE CAR TO GO OFF THE ROAD OR INTO THE PATH OF ANOTHER VEHICLE .LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP ON THE BMW FORM AND THERE WERE OVER 120 OTHER STEERING COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME YEAR AND MODEL OF CAR. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS A BAD ACCIDENT.

THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY AND BINDS UP FREQUENTLY, ESPECIALLY IN WARM WEATHER. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS AND COULD PUT YOU IN ANOTHER LANE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE ONLY RESOLUTION IS TO CHANGE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IN WHICH BMW DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFELY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY DOING A RECALL. MOST Z4S HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT WHEN THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.

IN HOT WEATHER, THE CAR STEERING GETS "STICKY" OR HARD TO MAKE SMOOTH LITTLE ADJUSTMENTS WHEN TRAVELLING ON HIGHWAYS GOING STRAIGHT. IT'S MOSTLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TRAVELLING ON 55MPH OR HIGHER ROADS, BUT SOMEWHAT IN TOWN TOO. IT MAKES TRAVELLING IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR OWN LANE HARDER, MORE LIKELY TO WANDER BEFORE YOU INCREASE YOUR EFFORT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN IN COLD WEATHER, THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING IS EXCELLENT AND VERY EASY TO KEEP THE CAR EXACTLY ON TRACK WITH EASE. WHEN I READ THE REPORTS ON THE BMW CLUB SITES AND FORUMS, I FIND THAT THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW Z4'S OF THE 2003 TO LATER VERSIONS. PLEASE INSTITUTE A RECALL BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT OF KILLED, THANKS.

STICKY STEERING DURING WARM WEATHER. CAN EITHER STICK WHERE YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT TO TURN AND FOLLOW HIGHWAY ROAD OR BECOMES SLOPPY AND WEAVES FROM SIDE TO SIDE WITHIN LANE. NEITHER SHOULD BE HAPPENING WITH THIS EXPENSIVE CAR. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MANY COMPLAINTS, BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY BEFORE DEATHS AND DAMAGE OCCUR. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN 2011,INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, GRANTED THERE ARE MORE MILES ON THIS CAR AND FIVE YEARS, THE PROBLEM HAS NOT GONE ANYWHERE, IT'S STILL HERE.RECALL THESE CARS

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

WHEN DRIVING IN WARM WEATHER, THE STEERING BECOMES STIFF. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THE WHEEL STICKS IN THE CENTER. YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE WHEEL TO TURN. THEN AFTER YOU TURN THE WHEEL YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE WHEEL BACK TO CENTER, HAVING TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER CORRECT AND ENTERING THE LANE NEXT YOU. I AM UNDERSTANDING THAT MANY OTHER BMW CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS.

STEERING WHEEL BINDS AND IS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE CAR IS WARM FROM THE SUN OR AFTER IT WARMS UP FROM DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE FORCED TO TURN TO OVERCOME THE NOTCHY LOCKUP CONDITION. THE CAR THEN VEERS OFF TRACK. THE STEERING NEVER RETURNS TO CENTER SO THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY WANDERS BACK AND FORTH. INTERNET SEARCHES PRODUCE MANY VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED. THIS IS A GROSS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO DEATHS CAUSED BY THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

STEERING IS STICKY AND NOTCHY AT HIDHWAY SPEEDS. UNNOTICEABLE AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IT HARD TO KEEP THE CAR IN YOUR LANE. STICKS,THEN OVER TURNS BAIT , CAUSING AN OVER CORRECTION TO RETURN. TURNING FEEL NO HAY AS IF IT WAS CLICKING FROM ONE NOTCH TO ANOTHER. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED THIS TO BE THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AT THE COST OF $4600.00. I FEEL THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

I HAVE A 2004 BMW Z4 2.51 VIN NUMBER [XXX] - THE ELECTRONIC STEERING EPS HAS COMPLETELY FAILED, AND IS INOPERABLE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, ON MANY MANY CARS, AND AFTER CONTACTING BMW NORTH AMERICA, THEY SAID THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO HAVE A BMW DEALER REPLACE THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN (THEIR ENGINEERING PROBLEM) AT A COST OF $4000. I TOLD THEM THIS WAS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAVE BEEN TO MANY MECHANICS AND THEY HAVE NO ANSWERS FOR THIS PROBLEM OTHER THEN GOING TO BMW IT IS FAILED 90% OF THE TIME, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AT TIMES MY ODB2 READER READS THE SYSTEM INFORMATION AS SW-V5.2 SS200381 PART NUMBER 6763764 CODING INDEX 03 DIAGNOSIS INDEX 04E1 VARIANT INDEX 474A HARDWARE NUMBER 01 DATE DD.MM.YYYY 10.12.2003 ERROR 610FEEPROM, NO RISK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

STEERING WHEEL BINDS AND IS DIFFICULT TO TURN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. IT HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN THE CAR IS WARM FROM THE SUN OR AFTER IT WARMS UP FROM DRIVING. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS TO BE FORCED TO TURN TO OVERCOME THE NOTCHY LOCKUP CONDITION. THE CAR THEN VEERS OFF TRACK. THE STEERING NEVER RETURNS TO CENTER SO THE CAR CONTINUOUSLY WANDERS BACK AND FORTH. INTERNET SEARCHES PRODUCE MANY VEHICLES WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED. THIS IS A GROSS SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO DEATHS CAUSED BY THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE SEEMS TO BE DEFECTED.

MY CAR HAS THE COMMONLY REPORTED PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING UNIT. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN APRIL 2015 FROM STEVENS CREEK BMW. THE POWER STEERING WORKED FINE. I BEGAN TO ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS IN EARLY 2016. THE STEERING BEGAN TO TIGHTEN UP AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE WHEELS TO SELF STRAIGHTEN UPON ACCELERATION. I FIRST LEARNED OF THE PROBLEM WHEN ENTERING A FREEWAY FROM AN ON RAMP. THE STEERING, INSTEAD OF ALLOWING ME TO EASE GENTLY INTO A TRAFFIC LANE, WANTED TO CONTINUE TO PULL ME LEFT INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. I WAS ABLE TO YANK THE WHEEL AND AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I THEN RESEARCHED AND LEARNED ABOUT THE COMMON POWER STEERING ISSUE AND LEARNED THAT A GREASE FITTING INTO THE STEERING COLUMN COULD HELP. I THEN LEARNED THAT MY VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN FITTED WITH SUCH A GREASE FITTING. ADDITIONAL GREASE THEN ALLEVIATED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. EVENTUALLY ADDITIONAL GREASE BECAME LESS EFFECTIVE AND I LEARNED TO DRIVE WITH STEERING THAT WAS STIFF AND PRONE TO STICKINESS. RECENTLY (DECEMBER 2017), THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO ENTIRELY SHUT OFF INTERMITTENTLY. IT SHUTS OFF AND THEN TURNS ON AGAIN AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. THE CAR IS THEREFORE NO LONGER DRIVABLE FOR SAFETY REASONS. I'VE LEARNED THAT THE POWER STEERING UNIT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ENTIRELY WITH A PART COST OF $3,400. GIVEN THE BROAD BASED OCCURRENCE OF THIS ISSUE ON 2003-2005 (AND EVEN SOME 2006) CARS, THIS MUST BE SEEN AS A SERIOUS PRODUCT SAFETY DEFECT WORTHY OF A RECALL BY BMW.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE EPS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ UPDATED 02/29/16.*JB

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.

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

AFTER CRANKING MY 2004 Z4 IN THE DRIVE WAY, MY WIFE IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. HAD JUST PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE TO BACK IT UP AND THEN "POW" SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT GOING OFF. I LOOKED OVER TO SEE MY WIFE PANICKED AS SHE WAS STUNNED THAT THIS WENT OFF RIGHT IN HER FACE. IT SCUFFED HER ARM A BIT AND GOT THE POWDER RESIDUE IN HER FACE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN VERY LITTLE, ONLY ABOUT 6000 MILES A YEAR ROUGHLY. THIS KIND OF THING SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THE CAR HAD NOT EVEN MOVED IT WAS JUST PUT INTO REVERSE AND THEN IT UNEXPECTANTLY EXPLODED. I HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THE CAR IN TO CHECK ON A RECALL THEY HAD ON SOME VEHICLES FOR THE AIRBAG MAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE, WAS TOLD THAT MY MODEL WAS NOT EFFECTED. I THINK THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A LIE, AND IF WAS NOT A LIE THEN IT CLEARLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

STEERING STICKS AND ALMOST CAUSE ACCIDENT. CAR IS LIKE NEW AND IT A SHAME I CANT ENJOY CAR BECAUSE STEERING ISSUE WITH BMW Z4 STEERING. I CANT AFFORD THE DEALER PRICE TO FIX A CAR DEFECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED AND SEATED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM AROUND AT LEAST 80'S, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STICKY. IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN LOW AND HIGH SPEEDS AND CAN DEFINITELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND THE ONLY FIX IS TO CHANGE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN IN WHICH BMW DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR. THIS IS A HIGHWAY SAFELY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE FIXED BY DOING A RECALL. A LOT OF Z4 HAS THESE PROBLEM IT JUST IN DIFFERENT SEVERITY. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT WHEN THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED.

I LEFT MY BMW IN THE SUN ALL DAY AND NOW MY LOCKS WONT WORK. MANY RESOURCES LINK THIS PROBLEM TO THE GM5 WHICH CONTROLS THE LIGHTING AND LOCKS. BAD LOCKS CAN BE A SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUE ON PARKED CARS BUT ALSO FOR MOVING CARS AS CHILDREN MAY OPEN VEHICLE DOORS IN TRAFFIC.

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS WARM SAY AROUND 80 DEGREES DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SAY 45 MPH THE STEERING STICKS VERY BAD TO THE POINT YOU CAN KILL YOURSELF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

STEERING WAS NOTICED TO BE "NOTCHY" WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SEEMS LIKE STEERING IS CAUGHT ON SOMETHING THEN BREAKS FREE. INITIALLY THOUGHT IS WAS LOW POWER STEERING FLUID, BUT DISCOVERED THIS VEHICLE HAS ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING. FURTHER TESTING SHOWED IT HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE STEERING CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO MOVE AND OVER-CORRECTIONS OCCUR WHEN IT BREAKS FREE. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED, ALTHOUGH IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

I HAVE NOTICED ON WARM DAYS THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY AS IF THE POWER STEERING IS COMING ON AND OFF. THIS CAUSES A OVER CONTROLLING OF THE CAR AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I FELT VERY UNSAFE. I TOOK THE CAR TO BMW ROADSHOW AT MEMPHIS AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRIC STEERING UNIT AND WILL COST $4000 TO REPAIR. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND WAS SHOCKED AT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS GOING BACK AS FAR AS 2009. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED. BMW KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS CORRECT IT IN LATER MODELS AND THEY KNOW HOW IT FIX THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS THIS IS AN AGE RELATE ISSUE, NOT MILEAGE, AND THESE CARS,2003-2005 ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. IN MY RESEARCH I SEE THAT NHTSA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS CLOSED THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THIS INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE REOPENED.