2004 Bmw Z4

Twice this month, while operating the vehicle, the power steering completely stopped functioning, causing the vehicle to be almost uncontrollable. No prior warning light. When I purchased the vehicle in 2018, the same problem occurred and the dealer replaced the steering column under warranty. In researching online I find that this is a common problem with this model. I am surprised to find that there is no recall notice for what is a major safety concern.

Power steering wheel went out of power during a trip at about 70mph. Yellow light at the dashboard went ON then so, car became imposible to drive or so.

Power steering stopped working.

The electric steering gets sticky when very often. It feels locked in its position and requires extra force to unstick, once its past the sticking point it over corrects and causes the vehicle to swerve. This failure seems to be quite common and is well known. It seems to be a manufacturing defect inside the electric steering column. I believe it should be investigated by NHTSA. The last time it happened my car went off onto the soft shoulder. The manufacturer should repair the steering. It’s a widely known issue.

When driving the steering is loose or sticky. The problem gets worse when the weather is warm. Sometimes it’s hard to keep the car driving in a straight path. This is scary and dangerous. His occurs whenever the car is driven. Other z4 drivers are having the same problem.

The steering sticks, in warmer weather, at freeway speeds. Continuously trying to unstick the steering wheel, with the possibility of overcorrecting, at freeway speeds, could present a safety hazard. Yes, the alignment company recognized the problem during their post-alignment test drive. The vehicle has not been inspected by "manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives." No warning lamps/lights/messages on dash. However, if you google 2004 BMW with sticky steering, you will find NUMEROUS accounts of this happening to other owners of similar vehicles (specifically 2003-2005 Z4).

The electric steering gets sticky when hot. It feels locked in its position and requires extra force to unstick, once its past the sticking point it over corrects and causes the vehicle to swerve. This failure seems to be quite common and is well known. It seems to be a manufacturing defect inside the electric steering column. I believe it has already been investigated by NHTSA but a recall has not yet been called to protect the consumer. This failure only happens when it is hot or the heater is on in the car, there is no warning before it occurs. Thank you for your attention in this matter. Please help by re-investigating this common failure.

The steering is sticky, like the steering system is locking up. It isn't smooth but instead very jerky, and requires serious effort to manage. It is becoming dangerous and is very unsafe. I have seen a lot of complaints on the internet and can not believe this isn't a recall item!

Component or system failed: Steering Column. It is available for inspection. Safety or the safety of others put at risk: When driving the steering column will lock or stick into place until it is forced back into a normal driving position. This consistently occurs when driving on a corner or making slight steering adjustments on a straight road. Has the problem been reproduced by a dealer: UNKNOWN Has the vehicle or component been inspected: UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps: None

Steering is "sticky" with a feel of detents in the steering instead of expected smooth engagement. At highway speeds this is concerning and feels unsafe. Difficult or impossible to steer smoothly.

The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in warm weather, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road. The contact continued driving with caution to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

The the vehicle sits out in the sunlight or its warm outside (usually over 80F) the steering wheel will get very notchy and “stick” towards the center position at highway speeds. This makes minor steering corrections at highway speeds very difficult to make without unintentionally leaving your own lane possibly into another car. This is very much a safety issue! This has happened on multiple occasions since the week after I got it in May 2022. Tonight its only 65 degrees and it was acting up (this is 2 hours after sunset).

The steering wheel is "sticky" and has play in it when you are driving it. It appears to have steering drift. I feel this car is not safe to drive and is hard to control. No warning messages have come on. When I searched online, it appears that many others are having trouble with their 2004 z4 steering.

The Electric Top Malfunctions because of fault design Behind the driver seat is a hydraulic cylinder that sits in a cabin. Water leaks into the cabin causing the hydraulics to go out. The cabin fills up with water, and submerges the pump. This is a major design flaw. It is common with all Z4 models 2003 - 2008. I have a roadster rental business, comprised specifically of the Z4 model. I can give you 4 different vehicles I own as an example. Plus I can quote every seller, that says the top does not work. If people are not aware of this it can lead to accidents, the claw hooks disengaging, unable to get the top up in a lightning storm, rain storm etc., I haven't seen any recalls on the tops. There are no warning lamps on the vehicle that indicate the top motor or its hydraulic cylinder are malfunctioning. Most of these tops quit working in the same year or a couple year after the car was purchased, from manufacturing date. My car, I have reported here, only has 75,000 Original miles.

I own a 2004 BMW Z4 2.5i I bought it used in 2010 with 22,000 miles. It was on a cool December day when I test drove the car and I loved it. No sign of any steering problems. On a warmer day after driving for a while I suddenly experienced a unexpected binding of the steering and almost binding ended up steering into oncoming traffic. This really scared me and I started investigating. Yes, this is a known safety defect, but BMW doesn’t do anything about it. NHTSA, which supposed to protect us from unsafe vehicles, did not do their job either. I am a retired Automotive engineer with Fiat-Iveco and NHTSA made my company recall vehicles for much less. The defect gets worse in hot weather and I don’t let my son, friends or anybody else drive the vehicle, as I am afraid that they could get hurt, aside from a liability issue on my side. I can’t really sell the vehicle with a known safety defect from a moral standpoint and I definitely would be liable should the car get involved in an accident caused by a known defect. BMW and NHTSA do your job before somebody gets hurt or killed! Doing nothing, will cost you more in Settlements and Reputation in a long run…the problem will not go away by doing nothing! Following site lists 137 BMW Z4 owners reporting problems related to steering column: https://www.carproblemzoo.com/bmw/z4/steering-column-problems.php This is a major design and safety defect and justifies a safety recall!

Whenever the temperature Is above 80 degrees the steering becomes very stiff with no power assist due to a design defeat within the steering column. The vehicle because very dangerous to drive due to the lack of steering control. This problem effects all BMW Z4s from 2003 to 2006. BMW wants the owners to have the dealer replace the steering column for $6,000. Please assist us in having BMW issue a Recall for a very dangerous situation they created with a defectively designed steering column.

STEERING STICKS CAUSES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN STEERING DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING

UNFORTUNATELY, I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2005 BMW Z4. IT IS COMPLETELY UNSTABLE. FOR INSTANCE: 1)IT KEEPS PULLING TO THE LEFT, OR TO THE RIGHT. IT REQUIRES CONSTANT ADJUSTMENTS SO THAT I COULD KEEP THE CAR ALIGNED, OR CENTERED. 2)I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS TO THE LEFT, OR TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE ROAD SURFACE IS SLIGHTINGLY UNEVEN. I CAN NEVER PREDICT WHICH WAY THE CAR PULLS ME. I STRUGGLE A LOT TO KEEP THE STEERING CENTERED WHEN STOPPING AT ANY RED LIGHTS. 3) SOMETIMES, THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK

THEY DO NOT WORK

I HAVE A 2004 BMW Z4 WHICH I PURCHASED USED IN 2016 WITH 67000 MILES ON IT. OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS, THE STEERING HAS BECOME STICKY AND HARD TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN MY LANE WHEN TRAVELLING STRAIGHT. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CORRECT THE STEERING AS THE CAR TRIES TO PULL EITHER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO CORRECT THE PULL, RESULTING IN JERKY DRIVING OR OVERCORRECTION. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING BOTH STRAIGHT AND ON CURVES. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN WARMER WEATHER, BUT HAVE EXPERIENCED A SLIGHT PROBLEM EVEN IN COOLER WEATHER. IT HAS OCCURRED AT BOTH SLOWER SPEEDS AND HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN AT APPROXIMATELY 80000 MILES. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR 5 YEARS AND HAVE PUT LESS THAN 20000 MILES ON IT IN THAT TIME PERIOD, SO IT IS NOT DRIVEN EXCESSIVELY OR UNDER HARSH DRIVING CONDITIONS.