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2004 BMW Z4

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

372 reports with mileage · 39 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 378 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports

Steering complaints

378 reports
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40,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Steering

BEGINNING EARLY IN 2010, WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE STEERING, PARTICULARLY AT SPEED, WAS 'STICKY'; EG, IT WOULD TAKE MORE FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THEN IT WOULD BREAK FREE OF THE STICKY AND TURN. IT BEHAVES AS THOUGH IT STICKS WHEN THE WHEEL ISN'T BEING TURNED, BUT THEN MOVES FREELY ONCE IT TURNS. THE RESULT IS ERRATIC STE…

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BEGINNING EARLY IN 2010, WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE STEERING, PARTICULARLY AT SPEED, WAS 'STICKY'; EG, IT WOULD TAKE MORE FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THEN IT WOULD BREAK FREE OF THE STICKY AND TURN. IT BEHAVES AS THOUGH IT STICKS WHEN THE WHEEL ISN'T BEING TURNED, BUT THEN MOVES FREELY ONCE IT TURNS. THE RESULT IS ERRATIC STEERING, PARTICULARLY IN A HIGHWAY SITUATION WHERE SMALL CORRECTIONS ARE NEEDED. IN TRAFFIC, ON A MULTILANE HIGHWAY, THIS BEHAVIOR CAUSES THE CAR TO BE HARD TO KEEP SMOOTHLY IN LANE; THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE RUMBLE STRIP WAS ENCOUNTERED DUE TO OVERCORRECTING THE STEERING. WARMER TEMPERATURES TEND TO MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE. I HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS BMW FORUMS OF OTHERS HAVING VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS WITH THIS VINTAGE OF Z4; APPARENTLY THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE A $2500 STEERING UNIT IF THE DEALER CAN BE CONVINCED THERE ACTUALLY IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE JACKED THE VEHICLE UP AND 'FELT' THE STEERING WITH THE CAR 'OFF', BUT THE SWITCH ON TO RELEASE THE WHEEL LOCK, AND THAT STICTION (MY PHYSICS BACKGROUND IS SHOWING) WAS SOMEWHAT EVIDENT (TO A MUCH SMALLER LEVEL THAN EXPERIENCED IN NORMAL DRIVING ON A WARM DAY) EVEN WITH NO LOAD ON THE STEERING AND AT A NORMAL ROOM TEMPERATURE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I HESITATE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10400374

39,500 miles · May 9, 2011
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND SLOWLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS BEING OPERATED. THE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND SLOWLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS BEING OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,878. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF UPDATED 01/24/2012 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399513

57,300 miles · May 2, 2011
Steering

MY 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING STICKS SPECIAL Y WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO EXERT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO CORRECT IT. IT'S NO LONGER A PLEASURE DRIVING MY CAR THAT I LOVE SO MUCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398517

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2011
Steering

MY Z4 IS A 2004 3.0I WITH 22120 MILES... OUT OF NOWHERE MY STEERING BECAME LESS FLUID AND SMOOTH. SOMETIMES I THINK I DON'T HAVE POWER STEERING. ALMOST COULDN'T AVOID BEING CUT OFF BY A TAXI IN MANHATTAN I'M AFRAID I MAY DIE WHILE DRIVING OR POSSIBLY HARM OTHERS. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I CAN'T JUST WAIT FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398462

57,000 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Steering

MY 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING STICKS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85F. SO FAR IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENT AND HAPPENING AT LOWER TEMPERATURES THAN LAST SUMMER. THE CAR HAS 58,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397931

65,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Steering

I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN YOUR INVESTIGATION PE10020. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2004 Z4, STICKS AND I AM REQUIRED TO EXERT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO CORRECT IT OR TO TURN THE WHEEL. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR, IT HAPPENS AT BOTH SLOW AND FASTER SPEEDS, BUT IT IS MORE PRONOUCED AT…

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I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN YOUR INVESTIGATION PE10020. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2004 Z4, STICKS AND I AM REQUIRED TO EXERT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO CORRECT IT OR TO TURN THE WHEEL. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR, IT HAPPENS AT BOTH SLOW AND FASTER SPEEDS, BUT IT IS MORE PRONOUCED AT HIGHER SPEEDS BECAUSE THE CAR TRAVELS MUCH FURTHER BEFORE I CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT IS VERY HOT IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST TWO SUMMERS. I SAW THE INVESTIGATION ON YOUR WEBSITE AND DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL THERE WAS A RECALL BEFORE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, SUMMER IS APPROACHING AGAIN, SO I THOUGHT I WOULD ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE OTHERS IN HOPES OF EXPEDITING A RE-CALL. THIS CAN BE A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND IF IT RECURS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOTTER, I WILL HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED, RECALL OR NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397348

80,000 miles · Apr 24, 2011
Steering

THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY CAR "STICKS" WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR GETS WARMED UP. WHEN I GO TO WORK, NO PROBLEM. WHEN I LEAVE IN THE AFTERNOON AND I AM DRIVING HOME, I HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO "STICK." I MEAN, I AM LITERALLY HAVING TO FIGHT WITH THE CAR TO…

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THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY CAR "STICKS" WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR GETS WARMED UP. WHEN I GO TO WORK, NO PROBLEM. WHEN I LEAVE IN THE AFTERNOON AND I AM DRIVING HOME, I HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO "STICK." I MEAN, I AM LITERALLY HAVING TO FIGHT WITH THE CAR TO KEEP IT FROM GOING INTO ANOTHER LANE. TIRES ARE NEW SO THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. PLUS, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THESE CARS. I BOUGHT THE CAR DECEMBER, 2010 WITH 79,442 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE A LITTLE OVER 81,000 MILES. I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR MUCH... MOSTLY WEEKENDS, BUT WHAT A MAJOR PROBLEM IT IS TO DRIVE AND HAVE THE CAR NOT STEER PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397258

70,000 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Steering

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES, WHEN IT STARTS TO WARM UP, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO STICK. IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE PRESSURE TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING ME TO OVER STEER AND SWERVE A LITTLE BIT. IT GETS WORSE THE LONGER DISTANCE I HAVE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397082

43,750 miles · Apr 15, 2011
Steering

READING BMW FORUMS I READ THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME.. I HAVE A BMW 2004 Z4 WITH 43K MILES AND THE STEERING NOTCHES OR STICKS A LOT AS I DRIVE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A STEERING PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THE PROBLEM? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10396016

45,000 miles · Apr 12, 2011
Steering

WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT IT STICKS WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN BACK TO CENTER AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET WORSE WHEN TEMPERATURES GET WARMER (75 DEGREES OR HIGHER). I'M CONCERNED THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IF THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE …

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WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT IT STICKS WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN BACK TO CENTER AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET WORSE WHEN TEMPERATURES GET WARMER (75 DEGREES OR HIGHER). I'M CONCERNED THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IF THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI #10396334

Official recalls

1

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.

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

2

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.

EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination

Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Air Bags

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

Air Bags:frontal

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.