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2003 BMW Z4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

414 reports
100,000 miles · Jun 20, 2013
Steering

THE STEERING STICKS MEANING IT BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT ON MY PART TO MOVE IT AGAIN. I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE IT ELSE IT STICKS AND I LOSE CONTROL FOR ABOUT A SECOND. VERY SCARY AT HIGH SPEEDS. BASICALLY IF GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND I WANT TO TURN IT IS NOT SMOOTH AND I HAVE TO ALMOST FIGHT WITH IT T…

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THE STEERING STICKS MEANING IT BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT ON MY PART TO MOVE IT AGAIN. I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MOVE IT ELSE IT STICKS AND I LOSE CONTROL FOR ABOUT A SECOND. VERY SCARY AT HIGH SPEEDS. BASICALLY IF GOING IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND I WANT TO TURN IT IS NOT SMOOTH AND I HAVE TO ALMOST FIGHT WITH IT TO TURN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520846

64,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Steering

CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BEING STICKY WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM OR WHEN THE CAR SITS IN THE HOT SUN. THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN HELD STEADY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SEEMS TO STICK IN AN EXACT POSITION AND IF THE WEATHER IS VERY WARM THE STICKINESS IS SUCH THAT WHEN THE CAR NEEDS STEERING CORRECTION TO STAY IN THE DRIVING LANE …

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CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING BEING STICKY WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM OR WHEN THE CAR SITS IN THE HOT SUN. THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN HELD STEADY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SEEMS TO STICK IN AN EXACT POSITION AND IF THE WEATHER IS VERY WARM THE STICKINESS IS SUCH THAT WHEN THE CAR NEEDS STEERING CORRECTION TO STAY IN THE DRIVING LANE THAT SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO UNSTICK THE POSITION OF THE STEERING DIRECTION. ONCE THE DRIVER'S PRESSURE CAUSES THE STEERING WHEEL TO BECOME UNSTUCK THE WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY VEER IN THE DIRECTION THE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED, IE. TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR TOWARDS THE DITCH UNTIL THE DRIVER CAN QUICKLY COUNTERACT THE SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE UNSTUCK STEERING WHEEL. WHEN THE WEATHER IS PARTICULARLY WARM THE CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE FOR FEAR OF LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP AND DRIVEN ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BY MY WIFE SINCE NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520574

18,850 miles · Jun 10, 2013
Steering

I BOUGHT MY USED BMW Z 4 THREE YEARS AGO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WITH 13,500 MILES. CAR IS IN SHOWROOM CONDITION BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES AND THE CAR SITS IN THE SUN, I HAVE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL STICKING AND LOCKING. I FIND MYSELF CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL IN HOT WEATHER AND HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE …

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I BOUGHT MY USED BMW Z 4 THREE YEARS AGO FROM A PRIVATE PARTY WITH 13,500 MILES. CAR IS IN SHOWROOM CONDITION BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES AND THE CAR SITS IN THE SUN, I HAVE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING WHEEL STICKING AND LOCKING. I FIND MYSELF CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL IN HOT WEATHER AND HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE STEERING CAPABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. MY LAST EPISODE WAS LAST WEEK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 80'S AND THE CAR SAT OUT IN THE SUN ALL DAY WHILE I WAS AT WORK. THIS CAR HAS UNDER 19,000 MILES ON IT AND I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT BMW WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND DO A RECALL IMMEDIATELY TO ADDRESS THIS COMMON PROBLEM. I HOPE IT DOESN'T TAKE A FATALITY TO OCCUR BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED FOR THIS STEERING MALFUNCTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10516137

34,200 miles · Jun 9, 2013
Steering

STEERING GOT STUCK, AND CAR SLID LEFT TO RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515847

12,500 miles · May 31, 2013
Steering

DATE LISTED IS AN APPROXIMATION... I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND DURING THE HOT WEATHER THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING. NOW THAT I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS I CAN TELL THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT IN THE HOT SUN THE STEERING "STICKS" WHICH CAUSES IT TO MOVE ERRATICALLY. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER THE SPE…

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DATE LISTED IS AN APPROXIMATION... I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED AND DURING THE HOT WEATHER THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING. NOW THAT I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS I CAN TELL THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT IN THE HOT SUN THE STEERING "STICKS" WHICH CAUSES IT TO MOVE ERRATICALLY. THIS HAPPENS NO MATTER THE SPEED AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. DUE TO THE STICKING I AM VERY WARY DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT AND THE CAR SITS IN THE SUN. I READ THAT THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE AND WANT TO INCLUDE THAT MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AS LISTED IN THE INVESTIGATION. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT AND THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE BMW TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT ENOUGH EVIDENCE IS AVAILABLE TO CONFIRM THERE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514579

36,000 miles · May 14, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A JERKING MOTION WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY IN HOTTER WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A JERKING MOTION WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY IN HOTTER WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10511934

79,650 miles · Apr 17, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECAME STICKY AND IMPACTED THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING BECAME STICKY AND IMPACTED THE DRIVERS ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT REPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,650.

NHTSA ODI #10508597

45,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Steering

AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 75 DEG THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND FEELS STICKY. AFTER MAKING A TURN THE WHEELS DO NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION ON THEIR OWN BUT REQUIRE DRIVER TO TURN STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER. DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION BECAUSE THE STEERING BINDS AND CAUSES THE DRIVER TO OV…

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AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 75 DEG THE STEERING GETS STIFF AND FEELS STICKY. AFTER MAKING A TURN THE WHEELS DO NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION ON THEIR OWN BUT REQUIRE DRIVER TO TURN STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER. DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTION BECAUSE THE STEERING BINDS AND CAUSES THE DRIVER TO OVERSTEERING IN ORDER TO OVERCOME THE STIFFNESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10506015

65,250 miles · Mar 30, 2013
Electrical System

ALL SENSORS LIT UP AND WILL NOT GO OFF: TIRE PRESSURE, TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AIR PRESSURE, AIRBAG, ETC. SENSORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505109

68,250 miles · Mar 30, 2013
Steering

STEERING WHEEL STICKS (STILL DOES AS OF MARCH 30, 2013) AND VEHICLE BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505108

Official recalls

4

04V247000 · 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

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.