10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,571 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 BMW Z4 steering problems

steering problem

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2004 BMW Z4 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #314

Jul 172018

Z4

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The steering sticks at all speeds and turning radius to the point you can barely control the steering with both hands. The only repair solution is the replacement of the entire steering column at parts $3-4,000 & labor $1-2,000 it's a life threatening hazard and should be recalled vs BMW waiting for a huge class action law suit! the vehicle has only approximately 65K miles way too soon for catastrophic failure of a major mechanical system widely known and suffered by BMW enthusiasts ' not "the ultimate driving machine!"

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #313

Jun 072012

Z4

  • 20,000 miles
If the vehicle is hot, while driving, the steering will hang up in the 12:00 position and you have to use more force to get it through this position, causing to vehicle to over-steer. It's been getting worst and the BMW dealership can find the problem, even though I've sent them computer links describing the problem.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #312

Jun 012018

Z4

  • miles
While driving, the steering wheel sticks in position. It will break loose with very little force. But very irritating. I feel it is a safety concern.

- Hyde Park, UT, USA

problem #311

Jun 292018

Z4

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When temperatures are about 75-80 degrees, the steering will "stick" when making minor corrections while driving. Apparently this is a common issue with this BMW make and model. There are 57000 miles on vehicle. It is not noticeable in cooler ambient temperatures.

- Amherst, NY, USA

problem #310

Jun 012011

Z4

  • miles
Steering issue: While driving at various speeds and various outside temperatures, the steering will stick, and is not smooth and responsive regardless of the curve degree. The sensation is that the turning of the steering wheel is jerky and requires both hands on the wheel. This safety issue has been ongoing for several years. The car is not driven often as evidenced by mileage, 16,000.

- Clemmons, NC, USA

problem #309

May 192018

Z4

  • 52,000 miles
Steering jerky just purchased a used BMW 2004 Z4 only 50,000 miles and drove fine for a few days then it got real hot outside and now the steering is jerking me around. Feels like when I try to keep the car in the lines I am having to fight the steering wheel. Upon researching the problem seems this is a very common dangerous problem and this needs to be recalled. This is going to cause an accident. Very dangerous to have to fight to keep the car in the lines of the road. BMW wants to charge to replace the whole column at $3800. Appears they recalled 2006-2007 BMW other models for this same thing. The 2003-2004 Z4 should also be recalled.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #308

Apr 052017

Z4

  • 26,442 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering is "sticky" and can cause me to swerve out of my lane while driving.

- Madison, AL, USA

problem #307

May 042018

Z4

  • 82,000 miles
Driving on interstate 70 in md went to go around a bend in road steering wheel didn't want to turn. I had to jerk the wheel to make the bend thus making me almost hit car beside me. From what I have read this is a known problem by BMW but in 14 years no recall is insane. I am now scared to drive this thing out on a highway again.how many people have to die for this to get fixed

- Brunswick, MD, USA

problem #306

Apr 242018

Z4

  • 118,000 miles
While driving the steering 'sticks' and requires considerable force to overcome to stay on the road. Several near incidents when it finally un sticks and goes to far in the other direction.. accident waiting to happen. This problem has been going on for quite some time and just keep getting worse.

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

problem #305

Jan 202016

Z4

  • 82,000 miles
My car has the commonly reported problem with the electronic power steering unit. I bought the car used in April 2015 from stevens creek BMW. The power steering worked fine. I began to encounter problems in early 2016. The steering began to tighten up and would not allow the wheels to self straighten upon acceleration. I first learned of the problem when entering a freeway from an on ramp. The steering, instead of allowing me to ease gently into a traffic lane, wanted to continue to pull me left into the center divider. I was able to yank the wheel and avoid an accident. I then researched and learned about the common power steering issue and learned that a grease fitting into the steering column could help. I then learned that my vehicle had already been fitted with such a grease fitting. Additional grease then alleviated the problem temporarily. Eventually additional grease became less effective and I learned to drive with steering that was stiff and prone to stickiness. Recently (December 2017), the power steering began to entirely shut off intermittently. It shuts off and then turns on again after restarting the car. The car is therefore no longer drivable for safety reasons. I've learned that the power steering unit needs to be replaced entirely with a part cost of $3,400. Given the broad based occurrence of this issue on 2003-2005 (and even some 2006) cars, this must be seen as a serious product safety defect worthy of a recall by BMW.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #304

Oct 312017

Z4

  • 12,200 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering feels detented, won't return to center and is difficult to manage on a curving road. Very "sticky". many testimonials on the internet relating to this issue. Must be a known problem.

- Ferndale, WA, USA

problem #303

Aug 082017

Z4

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. While driving 70 mph, the steering wheel failed and became stuck. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer (BMW of san diego, ar 5090 kearny mesa rd, san diego, ca 92111) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #302

Sep 082017

Z4

  • 34,500 miles
Steering vehicle is not easy to stay straight and in lane. Does not feel like in control of car. Tires are ok and had alignment. Very noticeable on highway.

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #301

May 282017

Z4

  • 43,000 miles
Sticky steering at higher straight-line speeds unsafe to drive!

- Hubertus, WI, USA

problem #300

Apr 282017

Z4

  • 62,000 miles
The vehicle has 62,000 miles. The steering is very sticky. It seems to "notch" making it harder to move the wheel. This problem is worse in warmer temperatures.

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #299

Apr 112017

Z4

  • 45,042 miles
Anytime ambient temperature is over 80 degrees. Excessive force is required to maintain steering control of vehicle. Vehicle is unsafe to drive.

- Fairfax Station, VA, USA

problem #298

Jun 012014

Z4

  • 19,000 miles
Steering becomes very "sticky" during warmer weather. This makes the car hard to drive and even harder to sell. This seems to be a very common problem by searching the internet. We don't drive the car because of this.

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #297

Feb 152016

Z4

  • 37,500 miles
Steering is sticky and notchy at hidhway speeds. Unnoticeable at low speeds, but at highway speeds, it hard to keep the car in your lane. Sticks, then over turns bait, causing an over correction to return. Turning feel no hay as if it was clicking from one notch to another. I don't feel safe driving this car on the highway. The dealer has diagnosed this to be the steering column, which needs to be replace at the cost of $4600. I feel this is a very dangerous situation which needs to be addressed.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

problem #296

May 012016

Z4 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
In warmer weather, the steering becomes "sticky". it seems to be more prevalent while driving on the highway. Very difficult to correct the steering while driving. It's not smooth as it should be. Very dangerous and not fun to drive! I've read a lot of complaints regarding this same issue. Just google it! sounds like a very common problem.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

problem #295

Aug 152016

Z4

  • 104,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. While driving approximately 70 mph, the steering wheel became stuck in the middle. The contact overpowered the steering wheel to the right lane. The contact stated that the failure only occurred when the weather was really hot in the summer months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the steering column failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

- Germansville, PA, USA

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