NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
411 reports24,000 miles · Nov 7, 2010
Steering
A YEAR OR SO AGO I NOTICED THE STEERING ON MY BMW Z4 WOULD GET "NOTCHY" AND FEEL "STICKY" AT THE END OF THE DAY. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I FOUND IT ODD THIS WOULD BE BROUGHT ON BY TIME IN THE SUN, BUT AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE …
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A YEAR OR SO AGO I NOTICED THE STEERING ON MY BMW Z4 WOULD GET "NOTCHY" AND FEEL "STICKY" AT THE END OF THE DAY. EVENTUALLY I WAS ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM WOULD OCCUR WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. I FOUND IT ODD THIS WOULD BE BROUGHT ON BY TIME IN THE SUN, BUT AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE DISCOVERED MANY PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. UNFORTUNATELY IT APPEARED EXPERIENCES WITH BMW SERVICE VARIED, AND SINCE MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY A "FIX" WOULD BE A REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AT THE TUNE OF 3-4 THOUSAND DOLLARS. WHEN I HEARD THIS ISSUE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION I DECIDED TO WAIT FOR A DECISION AS IT SEEMED LIKELY SUCH ISSUES WITH STEERING WOULD BE ADDRESSED. I HAVE FOLLOWED THE CASE CLOSELY AND HAVE BEEN READING BMW'S RESPONSES TO NHTSA. SEVERAL OF THEIR ARGUMENTS AGAINST ADDRESSING THIS ARE ESPECIALLY DISTURBING. BMW APPEARS TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE, BUT CLAIMS THE EFFECT IS "MINOR". I AM NOT AN EXPERT AND CANNOT SAY WHETHER IT PRESENTS RISK, BUT AS A DRIVER I CAN TELL YOU ANY STEERING EFFECTS ARE DISTURBING AND DISTRACTING. BMW CLAIMS THE EFFECT ONLY OCCURS DURING SPECIFIC/LIMITED CONDITIONS - HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND DIRECT SUNLIGHT. WHAT REALLY UPSETS ME ABOUT THIS STATEMENT IS THAT IT'S A CONVERTIBLE SPORTS CAR MARKETED FOR THESE CONDITIONS, SO WHILE THEY MAY BE "SPECIFIC AND LIMITED", THEY ARE PRIMARY CONDITIONS FOR THIS CAR. FINALLY, BMW CLAIMS THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF SAFETY, BUT ONE OF QUALITY. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THERE ARE SOME SUBSYSTEMS WHERE QUALITY SHOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED, AND STEERING SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ONE OF THESE. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND ANXIOUSLY AWAIT NHTSA FINDINGS IN HOPES I CAN HAVE THIS SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED BY BMW. I SINCERELY HOPE THIS ISSUE IS NOT SWEPT UNDER THE RUG AND THE MANUFACTURER TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF THEIR AUTOMOBILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10364335
38,000 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Steering
WHEN DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL GET VERY STICKY AND NEED EXTENSIVE FORCE TO BE MANEUVER. I WENT TO MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE EPS AND THAT ITS NOT COVER SINCE IT HAPPENED 1 MONTH AFTER THE END OF THE WARRANTEE. ITS SEEM THAT A LOT OF OWNER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEIR IS STILL NO RECALL …
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WHEN DRIVING IN HOT WEATHER, THE STEERING WHEEL GET VERY STICKY AND NEED EXTENSIVE FORCE TO BE MANEUVER. I WENT TO MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE EPS AND THAT ITS NOT COVER SINCE IT HAPPENED 1 MONTH AFTER THE END OF THE WARRANTEE. ITS SEEM THAT A LOT OF OWNER HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEIR IS STILL NO RECALL FROM BMW. I NOW LIVE IN CANADA BUT MY CAR IS FROM THE STATE AND I AM FILLING A COMPLAINT SO THAT BMW WOULD BE FORCE TO ACT ON THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10363250
62,391 miles · Oct 26, 2010
Steering
WHEN CAR SITS OUT IN THE HOT SUN 100 DEGREES OR BETTER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, IS DIFFICULT. STEERING WHEEL STAYS IN A TUNING POSITION AND DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT STICKS IN WHATEVER TURN YOU PUT IT IN. YOU MUST MANUALLY FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER. JUST TODAY 10/26/2010 ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME …
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WHEN CAR SITS OUT IN THE HOT SUN 100 DEGREES OR BETTER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, IS DIFFICULT. STEERING WHEEL STAYS IN A TUNING POSITION AND DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER, IT STICKS IN WHATEVER TURN YOU PUT IT IN. YOU MUST MANUALLY FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK TO CENTER. JUST TODAY 10/26/2010 ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362367
24,000 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, IT FEELS LIKE IT IS BINDING WHICH REQUIRED INCREASED STEERING EFFORT THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO OVER-STEER WHEN MAKING HARD AND ABRUPT STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENTS. THE FAILURE IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER VEHICLE SPEEDS (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND IN WARM/HOT WEATHER (85 …
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THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, IT FEELS LIKE IT IS BINDING WHICH REQUIRED INCREASED STEERING EFFORT THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO OVER-STEER WHEN MAKING HARD AND ABRUPT STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENTS. THE FAILURE IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER VEHICLE SPEEDS (HIGHWAY SPEEDS) AND IN WARM/HOT WEATHER (85 F). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10361229
43,000 miles · Oct 13, 2010
Steering
2004 BMW Z4 - STEERING PROBLEM: I JUST RECENTLY MOVED TO SOUTH FLORIDA FROM DENVER AND NOW HAVE NOTCHY/STICKY STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 MPH) WHEN IT IS WARM (70 DEGREES). MAKING SMALL CORRECTIONS REQUIRES A LARGE INPUT CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OUTSIDE OF IT'S LANE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS. TOOK THE C…
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2004 BMW Z4 - STEERING PROBLEM: I JUST RECENTLY MOVED TO SOUTH FLORIDA FROM DENVER AND NOW HAVE NOTCHY/STICKY STEERING WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (60 MPH) WHEN IT IS WARM (70 DEGREES). MAKING SMALL CORRECTIONS REQUIRES A LARGE INPUT CAUSING THE CAR TO GO OUTSIDE OF IT'S LANE. HAVE HAD SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER, BMW SOUTH IN SOUTH MIAMI AND THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR $3,200. THIS PROBLEM IS A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOON A DRIVER OR THE PUBLIC WILL BE HURT OR KILLED. BMW NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND MAKE THE STEERING SAFE OR THE NHTSA NEEDS TO DIRECT THEM TO RECALL THE CARS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10360325
118,565 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Steering
ON WARMER DAYS (80+ F), MY 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING WILL STICK IN ONE POSITION WHILE DRIVING, REQUIRING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO UNSTICK. THIS IS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS (45+ MPH) WHERE SMALLER MOVEMENTS ARE REQUIRED, AND THE TENDENCY IS TO OVER CORRECT WHEN THE STICKS OCCUR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358206
83,000 miles · Sep 26, 2010
Steering
2004 BMW Z4 STEERING SYSTEM FAILS TO PERFORM PROPERLY AND IS UNSAFE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS SOMEWHERE ABOVE 80 DEGREES (F). ON ALL WARM DAYS, THE STEERING BECOMES UNSAFE - HEAVY, AND DOES NOT PERFORM PROPERLY - IT BECOMES HARD FOR THE DRIVER TO CONTROL AND "NOTCHY" TO STEER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357738
45,000 miles · Sep 25, 2010
Steering
WHEN AIR TEMPERATURE IS GREATER THAN APPROXIMATELY 80 DEGREES F, THE STEERING ON MY 2004 BMW Z4 BECOMES "STICKY" REQUIRING A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL OF EFFORT TO MAKE STEERING ADJUSTMENTS. INITIALLY THIS HIGHER LEVEL OF EFFORT IS APPLIED WITH NO CHANGE IN VEHICLE DIRECTION AND THEN WITH ADDITIONAL EFFORT VEHICLE DIRECTION CHANGES SIG…
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WHEN AIR TEMPERATURE IS GREATER THAN APPROXIMATELY 80 DEGREES F, THE STEERING ON MY 2004 BMW Z4 BECOMES "STICKY" REQUIRING A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL OF EFFORT TO MAKE STEERING ADJUSTMENTS. INITIALLY THIS HIGHER LEVEL OF EFFORT IS APPLIED WITH NO CHANGE IN VEHICLE DIRECTION AND THEN WITH ADDITIONAL EFFORT VEHICLE DIRECTION CHANGES SIGNIFICANTLY REQUIRING RE-CORRECTION TO KEEP VEHICLE IN LANE AND/OR ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357475
80,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Steering
STEERING WHEEL "STICKS". REQUIRES FORCE TO MOVE TO EITHER SIDE FROM CURRENT POSITION. HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356699
68,000 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Steering
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST IT'S POWER STEERING. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY PARKED THE CAR, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND EPS LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE EPS LIGHT STARTED TO TURN ON EVERYDAY, SPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON. TOOK THE CAR TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY S…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH EPS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST IT'S POWER STEERING. I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY PARKED THE CAR, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND BACK ON AND EPS LIGHT WENT OFF. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS THE EPS LIGHT STARTED TO TURN ON EVERYDAY, SPECIALLY IN THE AFTERNOON. TOOK THE CAR TO A BMW DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST A LOOSE CABLE. THE DAY AFTER I GOT MY CAR FROM THE DEALER AND NOTHING HAD CHANGED. TOOK IT BACK AND THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UPPER SECTION OF THE STEERING COLUMN QUOTING ME A TOTAL OF REPAIR COSTS OF $3000.00 AFTER DISCOUNTS. COULD NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS AT THAT MOMENT AND CAR HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED TILL THIS DAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356569
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.
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