12-31-08 MY CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE BETWEEN 55-65 MILES PE HOUR. I WAS TRAPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE BUT WAS ABLE TO CRUISE TO THE OUTER LAND BUT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. TAFTER 10 =15 MINUTES MY CAR STARTED, AND THE FLORIDA STATE TRO…
Read full complaint
12-31-08 MY CAR FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE BETWEEN 55-65 MILES PE HOUR. I WAS TRAPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE BUT WAS ABLE TO CRUISE TO THE OUTER LAND BUT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE ENGINE TURNED OFF. TAFTER 10 =15 MINUTES MY CAR STARTED, AND THE FLORIDA STATE TROOPER ASSIST ME TO THE NEXT EXIT. AFTER I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO MY HOME 45 MILES AWAY.... IT COST ME $197.00 BUT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PAID 70 DOLLARS OF THE FULL COST..... BMW HAVE A RECALL ON CERTAIN 2003 Z4 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT HAS REFUSED TO RECALL MY CAR AFTER IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10254184
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2008
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2003 BMW Z4 AND HAVE HAD TWO FUEL PUMPS AND FILTER REPLACEMENTS. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 21,500 MILES. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS JUNE 2008. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN 1,000 MILES OF THE FIRST REPLACEMENT. BMW DEALER MAINTAINS IT IS ETHANOL IN THE PREMIUM GAS I BUY, WHICH IS FROM CHERVRON. THE FUEL PUMP IS SUPP…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2003 BMW Z4 AND HAVE HAD TWO FUEL PUMPS AND FILTER REPLACEMENTS. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 21,500 MILES. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS JUNE 2008. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED WITHIN 1,000 MILES OF THE FIRST REPLACEMENT. BMW DEALER MAINTAINS IT IS ETHANOL IN THE PREMIUM GAS I BUY, WHICH IS FROM CHERVRON. THE FUEL PUMP IS SUPPOSEDLY SUBJECT TO FAILURE IF THE ETHANOL CONTENT EXCEEDS 10% OR MORE. I HAD THE CHEVRON FUEL TESTED AND IT FALLS WITHIN THE 10% LIMIT. ALL FUELS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONTAIN UP TO 10% ETHANOL. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT BMW CANNOT DESIGN A FUEL PUMP TO HANDLE THE FUELS SOLD IN THE U.S. I SUPECT THE FUEL PUMP DESIGN IS FAULTY. ANYWAY I AM OUT ABOUT $2000 AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR VERY FAR FROM TOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10246556
5,000 miles · Oct 11, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE DRIVING WEST ON I-70 NEAR EXIT 218 (ELEV 10,300', WEST OF DENVER) MY 2003 BMW Z4 STALLED. AFTER NUMEROUS RESTARTS, I WAS ABLE TO GET IF OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE EXIT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE HAULED TO THE BMW DEALER IN DENVER. THEY REPORTED TO ME THAT A SCREEN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL PUMP HAD COLLAPSED, CUTTING OFF …
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING WEST ON I-70 NEAR EXIT 218 (ELEV 10,300', WEST OF DENVER) MY 2003 BMW Z4 STALLED. AFTER NUMEROUS RESTARTS, I WAS ABLE TO GET IF OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE EXIT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE HAULED TO THE BMW DEALER IN DENVER. THEY REPORTED TO ME THAT A SCREEN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL PUMP HAD COLLAPSED, CUTTING OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY. THE REPLACED THE PUMP. AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD ABOUT 5000 MILES ON IT. IN EARLY AUGUST 2005 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WEST ON US 6, CROSSING SOLDIER SUMMIT (ELEV. 7400'), WEST OF PRICE, UT. AGAIN THE CAR STALLED, ACTING LIKE IT WAS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 20 MINUTES ON THE PHONE WITH THE SALT LAKE CITY BMW DEALERSHIP, I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER CHECKING OUT THE CAR AT MURRAY MOTORS, THEY THOUGHT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY THE HIGH ALTITUDE AND HIGH TEMPERATURE (IT AS ABOUT 75 DEGREES ON SOLDIER SUMMIT.) SINCE THE CAR HAD NOT HAD PROBLEMS THE PREVIOUS WEEK AT HOME (ELEV. 8050', TEMPERATURES UP TO 90), I QUESTIONED THAT DIAGNOSIS THEY SAID THAT BMW HAD DESIGNED A NEW FUEL PUMP FOR THE CAR, AND BMW AGREED TO INSTALL A NEW ONE, BUT THERE WERE NONE IN SLC. THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE ON TO PORTLAND, OR, WHERE A NEW ONE WOULD BE INSTALLED. I DROVE TO PORTLAND AND IT WAS INSTALLED. DOES BMW HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE Z4 FUEL PUMP? WE GOT NO RECALL NOTICE. MY WIFE IS HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR, IN CASE IT SHOULD STALL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. IT SEEMS UNUSUAL FOR A CAR TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP TWICE IN 40,000 MILES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10139278
3,000 miles · Aug 1, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT: CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 04V182000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; DELIVERY; FUEL PUMP. HE SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS DOING EXACTLY THE SAME THING AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT LED TO ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE DIED. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND …
Read full complaint
DT: CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 04V182000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; DELIVERY; FUEL PUMP. HE SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS DOING EXACTLY THE SAME THING AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT LED TO ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE DIED. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS CAR SHOULD FALL WITHIN THE RECALL, BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM CAR DID NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10130858
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE FIXED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V-182000, BUT THE RECALL FAILED. *JB
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, INCOMPATIBLE ELECTRONIC AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY NOT OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, A VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL PUMP COULD OCCUR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRICAL LINE POWERING THE FUEL PUMP IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN OCCURRENCE OF VAPOR LOCK. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TIRE HAS BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS TO THE RIM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, A LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, OR A TIRE FAILURE, COULD OCCUR. DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UNSEAT THE TIRE FROM ITS RIM, INSPECT FOR ANY DAMAGE, AND THEN RESEAT THE TIRE TO ITS RIM. IF INSPECTION REVEALS THAT A FRONT TIRE HAS INCURRED DAMAGE DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS. IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE10020 · Sticky Steering
Opened Jun 28, 2010 · Closed Jun 28, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:electric Power Assist System
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.
Steering:column
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.
Steering:electric Power Assist System
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.
2003 BMW Z4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration