Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
420–25K
4825–50K
4750–75K
2075–100K
10100–150K
2150K+
169 reports with mileage · 21 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 172 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
190 reports
18,000 miles · Sep 16, 2010
Steering
I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 BMW Z4. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO "PULL" TO ONE SIDE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT SO I HAD THE DEALER DO AN ALIGNMENT AS A CONDITION OF SALE. THE CAR DROVE FINE THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I DROVE IT, BUT NOW OFF AND ON IT STICKS EITHER PULLING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT. IN OTHER WORDS, THE WHEEL WON'T RETURN TO C…
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I JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 BMW Z4. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO "PULL" TO ONE SIDE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT SO I HAD THE DEALER DO AN ALIGNMENT AS A CONDITION OF SALE. THE CAR DROVE FINE THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I DROVE IT, BUT NOW OFF AND ON IT STICKS EITHER PULLING TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT. IN OTHER WORDS, THE WHEEL WON'T RETURN TO CENTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356056
35,000 miles · Sep 15, 2010
Steering
REPEATING PROBLEM. THE STEERING ON MY 2005 BMW Z4 3.0 WILL OCCASIONALLY STICK WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE LINEAR FEEDBACK DISAPPEARS AND I CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE CAR DOESN'T REACT INITIALLY. THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY "GIVE" AND CATCH UP TO WHERE I HAD THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ALARMING AS OFTEN IT WILL CAU…
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REPEATING PROBLEM. THE STEERING ON MY 2005 BMW Z4 3.0 WILL OCCASIONALLY STICK WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE LINEAR FEEDBACK DISAPPEARS AND I CAN MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE CAR DOESN'T REACT INITIALLY. THEN IT WILL SUDDENLY "GIVE" AND CATCH UP TO WHERE I HAD THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS ALARMING AS OFTEN IT WILL CAUSE AN OVER CORRECTION WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355769
6,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2005 BMW Z4 3.9 LITER 6MT TENDS TO STICK WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS HIGH. THIS REDUCES THE SMOOTH MOTION THAT IS TYPICALLY DISPLAYED BY A STEERING WHEEL. THE STICKINESS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND CAUSES A DELAY IN RESPONSE TO STEERING WHEEL INPUT. I READ ONL…
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THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY 2005 BMW Z4 3.9 LITER 6MT TENDS TO STICK WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS HIGH. THIS REDUCES THE SMOOTH MOTION THAT IS TYPICALLY DISPLAYED BY A STEERING WHEEL. THE STICKINESS MAKES IT VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN THE CAR IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND CAUSES A DELAY IN RESPONSE TO STEERING WHEEL INPUT. I READ ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352002
7,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Steering
2005 BMW Z-4 POWER STEERING FAILURE 7-5-2010 CAR HAS 7,000 MILES ON IT, BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY ,LOST STEERING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10347203
16,000 miles · Aug 3, 2010
Steering
STARTED ENGINE ON HOT DAY AND HAD NO POWER STEERING. TURNED OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED AND POWER STEERING WAS BACK AS NORMAL. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT ARE GREAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346973
51,000 miles · Aug 3, 2010
Steering
I'M EXPERIENCING VERY STIFF OR STUCK STEERING. IT SEEMS TO ONLY OCCUR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, BUT MAINLY WHEN MY CAR IS LEFT OUT IN THE SUN AT WORK, THE DRIVE HOME IS QUITE AN ADVENTURE. KEEPING THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT IS NO EASY TASK, TRYING TO MAKE A SMALL CORRECTION RESULTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL MOVING A GREAT DISTANCE AS…
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I'M EXPERIENCING VERY STIFF OR STUCK STEERING. IT SEEMS TO ONLY OCCUR DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, BUT MAINLY WHEN MY CAR IS LEFT OUT IN THE SUN AT WORK, THE DRIVE HOME IS QUITE AN ADVENTURE. KEEPING THE CAR DRIVING STRAIGHT IS NO EASY TASK, TRYING TO MAKE A SMALL CORRECTION RESULTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL MOVING A GREAT DISTANCE AS ONE HAS TO APPLY MORE FORCE TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO OVERCOME THE "STUCKNESS". THIS RESULTS IN A OVER CORRECTION OF STEERING AND PUSHES THE CAR TO OPPOSING LANES AT THE EXTREME, OR OTHERWISE JUST MAKES THE CAR JERK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I'VE HAD NIELLO BMW OF SACRAMENTO LOOK AT THIS, AND THEY FOUND NOTHING NOR ADMITTED THIS WAS A PROBLEM. AS THE SUMMER MONTHS COME AROUND, MY STEERING IS GOING BACK TO IT'S USUAL JERKINESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346965
47,569 miles · Aug 1, 2010
Steering
STICKING STEERING HAS OCCURRED WHEN TEMPERATURES RISE, TYPICALLY ABOVE 85F. STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO DETECT THE WAY IN WHICH THE CAR WILL REACT AND THE LEVEL OF RESISTANCE THAT WILL OCCUR AND NEED TO BE DEALT WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346653
36,000 miles · Jul 26, 2010
Steering
I EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER-ASSISTED STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, BINDS OR LOCKS UP, REQUIRING INCREASED STEERING EFFORT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND INCREASING THE POTENTIAL TO OVER-STEER THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345361
23,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Steering
WHEN MY BMW Z4 2005 HAS BEEN STANDING IN WARM WEATHER IT DEVELOPS A CONCERNING HABIT. WHEN I START DRIVING I FEEL RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL - IT NEEDS MORE FORCE TO BE TURNED AND TO BE TURNED BACK TO STRAIGHT AHEAD. IT IS CONCERNING TO FEEL THAT THE STEERING FEEL CHANGES CHARACTERISTICS - WITH ONE THOUGHT IN BACK OF MY HE…
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WHEN MY BMW Z4 2005 HAS BEEN STANDING IN WARM WEATHER IT DEVELOPS A CONCERNING HABIT. WHEN I START DRIVING I FEEL RESISTANCE IN THE STEERING WHEEL - IT NEEDS MORE FORCE TO BE TURNED AND TO BE TURNED BACK TO STRAIGHT AHEAD. IT IS CONCERNING TO FEEL THAT THE STEERING FEEL CHANGES CHARACTERISTICS - WITH ONE THOUGHT IN BACK OF MY HEAD: WHAT HAPPENS IF IT CHOOSES TO STICK ALL TOGETHER? DEPENDING ON THE TEMPERATURE THE SYMPTOMS WILL BE MORE OR LESS BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344244
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2010
Steering
THE STEERING FEELS NOTCHY AND HARD TO TURN MOST OF THE TIME. AT TIMES IT'S HARD TO MAINTAIN THE CAR IN THE LANE THAT I'M DRIVING IN ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE SLIGHT CURVES ON THE ROAD AND IT GETS WORST WHEN TAKING BIG CURVES. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO AVOID DRIVING IN BETWEEN LANES WHEN CARS ARE ON MY LEFT AND RIGHT THEREFORE I AM …
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THE STEERING FEELS NOTCHY AND HARD TO TURN MOST OF THE TIME. AT TIMES IT'S HARD TO MAINTAIN THE CAR IN THE LANE THAT I'M DRIVING IN ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE SLIGHT CURVES ON THE ROAD AND IT GETS WORST WHEN TAKING BIG CURVES. I HAVE TO SLOW DOWN TO AVOID DRIVING IN BETWEEN LANES WHEN CARS ARE ON MY LEFT AND RIGHT THEREFORE I AM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR DUE TO THE ERRATIC STEERING AND WHICH MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING AT TIMES LOCKS OR STAYS IN ONE SPOT AND IT'S HARD TO STRAIGHTEN IT WITHOUT FORCING IT BACK TO THE CENTER. ONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NORMAL, I'VE DRIVEN MANY CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER FELT SO UNSAFE DRIVING A CAR LIKE I DO WITH THIS ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343814
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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.
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