IllustrationSTEERING STICKS AND RESISTS TURNING BRIEFLY IN HOT TEMPERATURE. 90F+
2003 BMW Z4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Z4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
930–25K
10725–50K
9050–75K
4075–100K
22100–150K
3150K+
355 reports with mileage · 59 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 342 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Steering complaints
342 reports1. HOT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (ROUGHLY PLUS 85 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT) WITH THE CAR OUTSIDE IN THE SUN ALL DAY PRECEDING MY DRIVE HOME AFTER WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 5 OCCASIONS. THE LAST OCCASION, PRIOR TO FILING THIS REPORT, IS THE DATE USED BELOW AS THE INCIDENT DATE. THE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WERE EACH OF THE PRECEDING 4 BUSINE…
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1. HOT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (ROUGHLY PLUS 85 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT) WITH THE CAR OUTSIDE IN THE SUN ALL DAY PRECEDING MY DRIVE HOME AFTER WORK. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON 5 OCCASIONS. THE LAST OCCASION, PRIOR TO FILING THIS REPORT, IS THE DATE USED BELOW AS THE INCIDENT DATE. THE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS WERE EACH OF THE PRECEDING 4 BUSINESS DAYS. 2. STEERING CONTROL IS DIFFICULT AND UNEVEN CAUSING PROBLEMS KEEPING CAR ON INTENDED COURSE OF TRAVEL. 3. APPOINTMENT SCHEDULED WITH DEALER FOR 7/11/05.
WE HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4, 3.0L, AUTO. EVER SINCE IT WAS NEW, IT HAS EXHIBITED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE (ELECTRIC) STEERING. IT ONLY MANIFESTS ITSELF WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMERATURE IS FAIRLY HOT, SAY OVER 85 DEGREES. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE STEERING EXHIBITS A "STICKING" OR "NOTCHINESS" THAT MAY BE OR BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS IF T…
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WE HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4, 3.0L, AUTO. EVER SINCE IT WAS NEW, IT HAS EXHIBITED AN IRREGULARITY IN THE (ELECTRIC) STEERING. IT ONLY MANIFESTS ITSELF WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMERATURE IS FAIRLY HOT, SAY OVER 85 DEGREES. THE ISSUE IS THAT THE STEERING EXHIBITS A "STICKING" OR "NOTCHINESS" THAT MAY BE OR BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE FOR DRIVERS IF THE CAR NO LONGER RESPONDS TO STEERING INPUTS IN THE SAME MANNER IT DOES WHEN THIS ISSUE IS NOT PRESENT. TO-DATE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED AND DOCUMENTED BY OWNERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ON AN OWNERS FORUM AT HTTP://BIMMER.ROADFLY.COM/BMW/FORUMS/E85/. AFTER 2 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, WHERE THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION,WE'VE BEEN INFORMED THAT BMWNA HAS NOT RECOGNNIZED THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THEREFORE THERE IS NO "FIX' IN THE WORKS.
WHEN SUBJECT TO HEAT OF A HOT DAY, STEERING BECOMES LESS RESPONSIVE, SLUGGISH, AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.*AK
1. STEERING DEFECT OCCURS DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. 2. STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HEAVY TO TURN AND HAS A "LOCKED ON CENTER" FEEL. 3. DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING SYSTEM. THIS DID NOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK
STEERING PROBLEM - STEERING BINDS AND LOCKS REQUIRING EXCESS EFFORT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTION RESULTING IN OVERCORRECTION AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK
WHEN MY VEHICLE IS PARKED IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING ROUGHLY 85 DEGREES, FOR PERIODS OF AN HOUR OR MORE, THE CAR'S POWER STEERING BEGINS TO MALFUNCTION. THE STEERING TAKES ON AN EXTREMELY HEAVY FEEL, AND IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, IN A GENTLE TURN, THE WHEEL DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO THE CENTER POSIT…
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WHEN MY VEHICLE IS PARKED IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING ROUGHLY 85 DEGREES, FOR PERIODS OF AN HOUR OR MORE, THE CAR'S POWER STEERING BEGINS TO MALFUNCTION. THE STEERING TAKES ON AN EXTREMELY HEAVY FEEL, AND IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, IN A GENTLE TURN, THE WHEEL DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION WHEN IT IS RELEASED. THE CAR CONTIUNES TO TURN INDEFINITELY. AS LONG AS TEMPERATURES REMAIN HIGH, THE PROBLEM PERSISTS.*AK
DURING EXPOSURE TO HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 1990'S FARENHEIT THE STEERING BECOMES STIFF, UNRESPONSIVE WITH A TENDENCY TO "STICK" WHERE IT IS SET. ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER VEHICLE HAS SAT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT ON HOT DAYS.*AK
WHEN MY VEHICLE HAS SAT OUT IN THE 90F+ TEMPERATURE FOR A FEW HOURS, THE STEERING BECOMES ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE IN THAT THE STEERING "STICKS" AND IS NO LONGER SMOOTH IN ITS ROTATION. TO GET THE STEERING TO GO THE OTHER WAY AFTER TURNING OR CHANGING LANES, YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE FOR IT TO HAPPEN. MY ENTIRE ST…
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WHEN MY VEHICLE HAS SAT OUT IN THE 90F+ TEMPERATURE FOR A FEW HOURS, THE STEERING BECOMES ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLE IN THAT THE STEERING "STICKS" AND IS NO LONGER SMOOTH IN ITS ROTATION. TO GET THE STEERING TO GO THE OTHER WAY AFTER TURNING OR CHANGING LANES, YOU LITERALLY HAVE TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE FOR IT TO HAPPEN. MY ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN/ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I'VE CONFIRMED THIS ISSUE WITH Z4 OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND AM BEGINNING TO FEEL THIS IS AN OVERALL DESIGN ISSUE. AGAIN, THIS IS A TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT ISSUE AS THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY AGAIN AT NIGHT OR WHEN IT'S NOT OVER 85 F.*AK
I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 2.5I ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 9, 2004 THE AMBIENT TEMP IN CT WAS IN THE MID 90'S WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS BINDING, WAS STIFF TO TURN AND DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO A CENTER POSITION. THE STEERING LOST THE SMOOTH GRADUAL ROTATION AS I TURNED THE WHEEL THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN THE TEM…
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I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 2.5I ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 9, 2004 THE AMBIENT TEMP IN CT WAS IN THE MID 90'S WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS BINDING, WAS STIFF TO TURN AND DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO A CENTER POSITION. THE STEERING LOST THE SMOOTH GRADUAL ROTATION AS I TURNED THE WHEEL THE FOLLOWING DAY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS COOLER THE PROBLEM DID NOT REPEAT ITSELF. *AK
Official recalls
404V247000 · Air Bags
May 24, 2004
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.
04V182000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Apr 12, 2004
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.
03V214000 · Tires
Jun 9, 2003
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.
03V032000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Feb 4, 2003
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
1PE10020 · 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.