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
What owners actually said
414 reports
80,000 miles · Mar 19, 2013
Steering
I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 2.5I I RECENTLY PURCHASED. I NOTICED THE "STICKY" STEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME THE NIGHT I PURCHASED IT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS OF Z4 OWNERS HAVE THIS SERIOUS STEERING ISSUE. THE STEERING IS NOT SO BAD IN COOL WEATHER, BUT WARMER TEMPERATURES HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON KEEPI…
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I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 2.5I I RECENTLY PURCHASED. I NOTICED THE "STICKY" STEERING FOR THE FIRST TIME THE NIGHT I PURCHASED IT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I DISCOVERED THAT HUNDREDS OF Z4 OWNERS HAVE THIS SERIOUS STEERING ISSUE. THE STEERING IS NOT SO BAD IN COOL WEATHER, BUT WARMER TEMPERATURES HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON KEEPING THE CAR ON THE ROAD. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE 1 MONTH THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. YESTERDAY I ALMOST LOST CONTROL GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON A CURVE DRIVING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT. Z4 OWNERS ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THIS STICKY STEERING ISSUE. I DIDN'T HAVE TO LOOK HARD ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT THIS ISSUE WIDE-SPREAD AND HAS BEEN GROSSLY IGNORED. I WAS ALSO SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF AFFECTED CARS, WITH NO ACTION BY BMW OR OUR GOVERNMENT. WHAT ARE THE POWERS AT BE WAITING FOR? A DEATH BECAUSE OF THE STEERING ISSUE. THE CAR NEEDS A RECALL FOR A REPLACEMENT STEERING COLUMN OR A BULLETIN TO SIMPLY BRING THE CAR TO A DEALER FOR A REPLACEMENT AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. BMW IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY STEERING COLUMNS. WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN FIXED YET? PLEASE DO SOMETHING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503548
49,000 miles · Mar 2, 2013
Steering
THE STEERING FEELS 'STICKY'. DRIVING AT ROADSPEED, ESP ON INTERSTATE WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT LINE, WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENTS, THE STEERING STICKS AND WHEN YOU GIVE IT ENOUGH EFFORT TO 'UNSTICK' IT, YOUR CAR MOVES ERRATICALLY. BASICALLY, WHEN IT 'UNSTICKS' IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO OVER-CO…
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THE STEERING FEELS 'STICKY'. DRIVING AT ROADSPEED, ESP ON INTERSTATE WHERE YOU'RE TRYING TO MAINTAIN STRAIGHT LINE, WHEN YOU NEED TO MAKE SLIGHT STEERING ADJUSTMENTS, THE STEERING STICKS AND WHEN YOU GIVE IT ENOUGH EFFORT TO 'UNSTICK' IT, YOUR CAR MOVES ERRATICALLY. BASICALLY, WHEN IT 'UNSTICKS' IT CAUSES THE DRIVER TO OVER-CORRECT AND OVERSTEER. IT DOES THIS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN ON WARM DAYS, I.E OUTSIDE AMBIENT TEMPS OVER 80 DEGREES F. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501064
81,000 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Steering
POWER STEERING BROKE DOWN. I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE TRYING TO RESEARCH WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCES OTHER OWNERS HAD AND THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES WITH STEERING WITH THESE CARS TO BE IGNORED. THANK GOD THAT MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AT A LOW SPEED, BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH? I HAD "STICKY" S…
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POWER STEERING BROKE DOWN. I READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE TRYING TO RESEARCH WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCES OTHER OWNERS HAD AND THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES WITH STEERING WITH THESE CARS TO BE IGNORED. THANK GOD THAT MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING AT A LOW SPEED, BUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH? I HAD "STICKY" STEERING IN THIS CAR FOR YEARS BUT THIS TOOK IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL. THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500949
4,500 miles · Dec 29, 2012
Steering
STEERING WHEEL GOES BACK & FORTH ON ITS OWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY SCARY ! NOT SAFE! FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO CONTROL. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490471
4,500 miles · Dec 29, 2012
Steering
STEERING WHEEL GOES BACK & FORTH ON ITS OWN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. VERY SCARY ! NOT SAFE! FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO CONTROL. I PAYED A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490466
87,000 miles · Dec 13, 2012
Steering
STEERING WHEEL STICKS THEN RELEASES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488749
77,825 miles · Oct 19, 2012
Steering
DRIVING SOUTH ON SANTA BARBARA ATTEMPTED TO TURN RIGHT ONTO DAVIS BLVD. AS I WAS TURNING THE STEERING STUCK. THAT SURPRISED ME AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL. IT TOOK A HEAVY EFFORT TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION OF THE CAR.THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR AT HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10481138
65,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Air Bags
THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR OVER 1 YEAR NOW. WHEN I CALLED BMW NA TO INQUIRE WHETHER THIS ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER THE 04V247000 RECALL, I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT ONE OF THE VIN NUMBERS COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, IN LIGHT OF THE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED BY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICL…
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THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR OVER 1 YEAR NOW. WHEN I CALLED BMW NA TO INQUIRE WHETHER THIS ISSUE WAS COVERED UNDER THE 04V247000 RECALL, I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT ONE OF THE VIN NUMBERS COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. HOWEVER, IN LIGHT OF THE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED BY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE, IT IS EVIDENT THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS WITH THE AIR BAG MODULE OF THIS VEHICLE. BMW NA NEVERTHELESS HAS RESPONDED WITH THE SAME ANSWER "YOUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF AFFECTED VIN NUMBERS." IN CASE AN INJURY, WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING AIRBAG SYSTEM, IS SUSTAINED BY MYSELF OR ANY OTHER COMPLAINING OWNER, BMW NA SHOULD BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN PLACED ON ACTUAL NOTICE OF THE DEFECT AND SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR ITS INTENTIONAL DISREGARD OF A KNOWN HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479589
57,000 miles · Oct 4, 2012
Steering
THE POWER STEERING BECOMES DANGEROUS WHEN THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO HEAT 80+ DEGREES/SUN. THE STEERING WHEEL "STICKS" IN CERTAIN SPOTS AND IS HARD TO MOVE. IT WILL RANDOMLY STOP "STICKING" GIVING AN UNEXPECTED PUSH IN ANY GIVEN DIRECTION. LOOKS TO BE A FREQUENT COMPLAINT. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE HEAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478572
93,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Steering
BMW Z4 STEERING - NO POWER STEERING, CAUSES DIFFICULTY IN MANAGING & STEERING CAR. *TR
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
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