Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
680–25K
12925–50K
10550–75K
4275–100K
26100–150K
2150K+
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
What owners actually said
411 reports
70,400 miles · May 28, 2015
Steering
MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR FOR A DRIVE AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE LUCKILY WITH NO WARN THE STEERING ELECTIC MOTOR FAILED. THE BMW DEALER SAYS THE EPS IS BAD BUT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AT A LOW DISCOUNTED PRICE OF 3750. NOT SURE WHY BMW CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. MY WI…
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MY WIFE TOOK THE CAR FOR A DRIVE AND RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE LUCKILY WITH NO WARN THE STEERING ELECTIC MOTOR FAILED. THE BMW DEALER SAYS THE EPS IS BAD BUT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN AT A LOW DISCOUNTED PRICE OF 3750. NOT SURE WHY BMW CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN IN VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF THIS EVENT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY OR EVEN ON THE REGULAR ROADS.
NHTSA ODI #10722103
27,500 miles · May 12, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SERVO COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED IN BOTH DIRECTIONS INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SERVO COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,500.
NHTSA ODI #10716051
130,048 miles · May 10, 2015
Steering
I PURCHASED A 2004 BMW Z4 CONVERTIBLE 2 MONTHS AGO. FOR THE FIRST MONTH, THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY. THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BECOME UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO A "STICKY STEERING WHEEL" AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING (THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING…
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I PURCHASED A 2004 BMW Z4 CONVERTIBLE 2 MONTHS AGO. FOR THE FIRST MONTH, THE CAR DROVE PERFECTLY. THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BECOME UNDRIVEABLE DUE TO A "STICKY STEERING WHEEL" AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING (THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT MOVE). I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS QUITE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT THE MOMENT AND AFTER READING ABOUT THIS ISSUE ONLINE, IT APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE IN WHICH A FACTORY RECALL WAS SET TO BE RELEASED.
NHTSA ODI #10715507
32,000 miles · Apr 23, 2015
Steering
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING CONSTANTLY GETS STUCK ON THE LEFT SIDE AND YOU HAVE TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR BY PULLING THE WHEEL FIRMLY TO THE RIGHT CAUSING OVER CORRECTION. YOU HAVE TO CONSTANTLY FIGHT THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS AND IRRITATING.
NHTSA ODI #10712357
125,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA ODI #10704420
92,000 miles · Apr 2, 2015
Steering
STEERING GOT STICKY IN A MIDDLE OF A 90 DEGREE TURN NEARLY RESULTING IN A CRASH AS POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED TEMPORARILY. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS PARTICULAR BMW VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. TODAY IT WAS AROUND 85 DEGREES F. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLE…
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STEERING GOT STICKY IN A MIDDLE OF A 90 DEGREE TURN NEARLY RESULTING IN A CRASH AS POWER STEERING MOTOR FAILED TEMPORARILY. WE UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS PARTICULAR BMW VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. TODAY IT WAS AROUND 85 DEGREES F. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, LIKELY BECAUSE THIS IS THE HOTTEST DAY SINCE THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. WE UNDERSTAND THAT BMW HAS RECEIVED ALMOST 50,000 COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS ISSUE AND WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT NHTSA HAS SEEN IT FIT TO CLOSE THEIR INVESTIGATION. WE ARE BAFFLED BY THIS DECISION AS STEERING PROBLEMS CAN BE FATAL AND OBVIOUSLY THE DEFECT LIES IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY BMW BEFORE FATALITIES START TO OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10703408
52,000 miles · Mar 25, 2015
Steering
STEERING BECOMES TIGHT AND STICKY ,HARD TO MAKE IT TRACK STRAIGHT. WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER AFTER MAKING A TURN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10701813
87,280 miles · Mar 19, 2015
Steering
STEERING IS STICKY, MEANING EXTRA ENERGY IS NEEDED TO STEER THE CAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TRACK DOWN THE HIGH WAY IN A NORMAL MANNER... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10695298
68,000 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHOULD BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A PERMANENT FIX SINCE THE FAILURE OCCU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN SHOULD BE REPLACED, HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A PERMANENT FIX SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURS DURING WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10694961
76,000 miles · Mar 17, 2015
Steering
VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY MAKES DRIVING VERY STRESSFUL. CALLED BMW AND THEY HAVE NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR
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.
2004 BMW Z4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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