IllustrationON FIRST HOT DAY OF THE YEAR (85 DEGREES F), THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS "STICKING". IT TOOK EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO TURN MORE THAN DESIRED. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *KB
2004 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
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 reportsAFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (A 2004 BMW Z4 WITH ONLY 34500 MILES) ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED A "STICKING" IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (APPROXIMATELY 1ST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2012). WHICH OF COURSE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING BEING THAT I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. BUT CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE C…
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AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (A 2004 BMW Z4 WITH ONLY 34500 MILES) ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED A "STICKING" IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (APPROXIMATELY 1ST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2012). WHICH OF COURSE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING BEING THAT I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. BUT CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE CAR I HOPED IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR SOMETIME. I WAS WRONG IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM. AFTER VERY LITTLE RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. APPARENTLY IT IS DUE TO EXPANSION OF A GEAR IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO HEAT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I FELT I HAD FOUND A GOOD CAR CONSIDERING THE VERY LOW MILEAGE. I'VE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEIR STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER 3000 DOLLARS! THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE ON A CAR WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT! THIS IS DEFINITELY DANGEROUS! FOR THE STEERING WHEEL TO "STICK" AND REQUIRE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED EFFORT TO TURN IS A SERIOUS DANGER! THE DANGER OF OVER CORRECTION IS UNDENIABLE. AFTER A RECENT SHORT TRIP DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY FOREARMS WERE VERY FATIGUED AFTER TRYING TO KEEP THIS CAR ON COURSE FOR JUST A FEW MILES.I JUST WONDER HOW MANY WRECKS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THIS DEFECT. I FIND IT VERY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A COMPANY OF BMW'S STATURE WOULD NOT BE DOING EVERYTHING WITHIN ITS POWER TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT IMMEDIATELY. I GUESS SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO GET HURT FIRST. INSTEAD OF BEING PROACTIVE AND PREVENTING SUCH A DISASTER. OR MAYBE THEY'RE JUST MAKING TOO MUCH MONEY SELLING NEW STEERING COLUMNS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNAWARE OF THE DEFECT. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE! *TR
I HAVE THE "Z4 STICKY STEERING" PROBLEM WHICH IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. STEERING IS OK WHEN COLD OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND OCCURS ONLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS OVER 75 DEGREES F AND AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY RESISTS TURNING (STICKS) AND, WHEN ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED, FINALLY RELEASES AND TURNS UNTIL AN…
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I HAVE THE "Z4 STICKY STEERING" PROBLEM WHICH IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. STEERING IS OK WHEN COLD OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND OCCURS ONLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS OVER 75 DEGREES F AND AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY RESISTS TURNING (STICKS) AND, WHEN ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED, FINALLY RELEASES AND TURNS UNTIL ANOTHER STICKY ZONE CREATES RESISTANCE. THIS MAKES SLIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS IMPOSSIBLE AND RESULTS IN A ZIG ZAG RATHER THAT STRAIGHT LINE PATH DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE EFFORT LEVEL IS MUCH TOO HIGH FOR DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND COMPROMISES THE ABILITY TO PREDICTABLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE EFFORT LEVEL TO OVERCOME THE STICKINESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION IS COMPARABLE TO THAT REQUIRED FOR PARALLEL PARKING OF AN OLD NON POWER STEERING VEHICLE. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS RECALLED FOR MUCH LESS SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAN THIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO REMAIN DRIVING IN THE SAME LANE OR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NEEDED TO TURN WHEEL SAFELY AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WITH POOR ROAD CONDITIONS, THIS EFFECT IS SEVERELY EXAGGERATED!!! STEERING BINDS UP WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS RESULTING IN OVERCORRECTIONS IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH ME AND OTHER VEHICLES IF I WERE TO CROSS LANES DUE…
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EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NEEDED TO TURN WHEEL SAFELY AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WITH POOR ROAD CONDITIONS, THIS EFFECT IS SEVERELY EXAGGERATED!!! STEERING BINDS UP WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS RESULTING IN OVERCORRECTIONS IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH ME AND OTHER VEHICLES IF I WERE TO CROSS LANES DUE TO OVERCORRECTION SITUATION. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME STIFF. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TOWARD THE RIGHT AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURED WAS CONTACTED VIA POSTAL MAIL BUT THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME STIFF. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TOWARD THE RIGHT AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURED WAS CONTACTED VIA POSTAL MAIL BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
VEHICLE BOUGHT JULY 2011 WITH 40000 MILES. IN DECEMBER, 2011 ON THE RETURN TRIP (200 MILES EACH WAY), AFTER A 5 HR LAYOVER, THE STEERING ON THE CAR STARTED TO STICK IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. WHEN THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND STEERING NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL A LOT OF …
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VEHICLE BOUGHT JULY 2011 WITH 40000 MILES. IN DECEMBER, 2011 ON THE RETURN TRIP (200 MILES EACH WAY), AFTER A 5 HR LAYOVER, THE STEERING ON THE CAR STARTED TO STICK IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. WHEN THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND STEERING NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL A LOT OF FORCE WAS APPLIED AND THEN THE CAR WOULD OVER CORRECT TO THE RIGHT, SOME TIMES GOING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT DID NOT SEEM TO BE AS PREVALENT WHEN CORRECTIONS TO THE LEFT WERE NEEDED. SINCE THEN IT HAS OCCURRED ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, ALWAYS ON EXPRESSWAYS AND AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 70 DEGREES F. *KB
THE STEERING BINDS AT ALMOST ANY SPEED. I NOTICED IT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT FORWARD. WHEN A CORRECTION IN DIRECTION IS MADE THE WHEEL BINDS UNTIL GREATER PRESSURE IS APPLIED. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS REQUIRING EVEN MORE PRESSURE FOR THE CORRECTION. I CALLED BMWNA AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I A…
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THE STEERING BINDS AT ALMOST ANY SPEED. I NOTICED IT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT FORWARD. WHEN A CORRECTION IN DIRECTION IS MADE THE WHEEL BINDS UNTIL GREATER PRESSURE IS APPLIED. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS REQUIRING EVEN MORE PRESSURE FOR THE CORRECTION. I CALLED BMWNA AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM IN FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS AROUND BMW'S Z-4 2004. *TR
THE STEERING BECOMES STUCK. UNDER HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE ERRATIC CONTROL AND ULTIMATELY AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING SEEMS TO BIND AND NEEDS GREATER PRESSURE TO FREE THE STEERING ITSELF. *TR
Official recalls
104V182000 · 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
2PE10020 · 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.