3.8

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
32,709 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.

2005 BMW Z4 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 BMW Z4 Owner Comments

problem #6

Dec 282017

Z4

  • miles

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

Heater/air conditioner stopped blowing. Took to local shop and found multiple wires melted. Concerned due to fire risk so researched and found this is a major issue with many now recalled bmws-mine is not included in the recalls but it's highly suspicious that I'm having the apparent exact same issue as those vehicles being recalled. I saw white smoke coming from under my hood and smelled a burning odor a few months ago so drove straight home and popped the hood-saw no additional smoke but did smell some residual burning odor but nothing was visible. This happened approximately 2 other times but nothing was ever found and it was assumed it was a spillage or overflow. Wasn't until recently when the heater and A/C stopped blowing that further investigation was done. Thank goodness no fire started. Still scary that we don't know what caused this to happen in the first place and will it happen again especially after it's parked in my attached garage! makes me just want to park it in the driveway away from the house. This really needs to be investigated and look into expanding the current recalls!! seems just too coincidental.

- New Castle, DE, USA

problem #5

Jan 012011

Z4

  • miles
First the check engine light on, I went to houston momentum BMW dealer to check and they found out that there was a faulty signal from somewhere they were not sure about. They gave me an estimate for than a thousand dollars to find it and repair it. It would cost more if they found out the real problem. I told them this should be under BMW warranty, but they said it wasn't. I refused the work. This case happened few years ago. Now I have air bag light on, I don't know why. I don't dare to go back to dealer to check because I'm afraid they will rip me off again and again. I hope one day I can get rid of BMW and find a more reliable car to drive.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #4

May 012012

Z4 6-cyl

  • 99,662 miles
Bought the 2005 Z-4 BMW used from a dealer in high point nc. Drove it and enjoy driving until the warm weather. The steering sticks to a point of being dangerous. To compensate, I steer to the left and car pulls to the left then I bring the steering back towards the center and feel it sticking so I compensate by steering to the right. The whole time down the highway I fear for my life driving this car. I really had to concentrate to keep the car from steering off the road and I'm sure it appears I'm driving erratically to others on the road. The warm weather will soon be here in North Carolina and I'm just scared to drive it. The car otherwise is beautiful. But if I'm going to be a repeat customer to the BMW line I need to get this fixed or they should recall it and I don't feel that I should have to pay for this problem and sounds like many many others have had the exact same problem from what my research shows me. Please help before someone is killed. Seriously I'm scared ! I contacted BMW in Ohio and they need me to validate the problem through a dealer which I will do but I have to wait til the weather is warm again. Luckily I am employed and will be able to pay the $125 diagnostic fee. The consumer also stated every time she rode over a bump in the road, the radio would shut off and then come back on at random times. The dealer was unable to find any loose wires. Also, the oil filter housing was leaking and an oil leak separator was sauing air to dispel into the engine. Updated IVOQ 04/16/13

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #3

Jun 272011

Z4 6-cyl

  • 36,500 miles

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

Driving on freeway, going about 72 on a warm day, about 86degees. Felt car slow down, like tires were stuck to pavement and could no longer steer car. Steering wheel became very tight, and car was hard to handle, and hard to turn.

- San Mateo , CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 012009

Z4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,100 miles
I have a 2005 BMW 3.0 w/auto transmission. My car has had two recurring issues from time to time starting with the electric power steering light engaging with the power steering going dead at idle or at corners. The other problem is that my car has stalled with the car shutting down thrice on I-95 and on local roads. Needless to say, it was a life and death situation twice with my girlfriend swearing never to drive the car again. How it happens? at speeds of 40mph or less, eps, ABS, brake, dtc comes on and off with the navigation screen opening and closing. Then abuptly at slow speeds, the car just shuts off. Remedy: Pull over, off the car and on it back again and go.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #1

Aug 072007

Z4

  • 24,994 miles
On August 7, 2007 I took my car to sterling BMW in newport beach, ca because I noticed the airbag malfunction lights were on along with other electrical issues. After they had inspected my vehicle for three days I was informed that the airbag/electrical problem would not be covered by the BMW factory warranty, and the service department recommended that I file a claim with my insurance carrier. Obviously my insurance company denied the claim, because automobile insurance does not cover loss due to wear and tear, mechanical or electrical breakdown/failure. In addition, sterling BMW charged me $260 for the loaner car they provided for the three days while my car was being inspected. Sterling BMW gave me a verbal estimate of approximately $10,000 in additional work needed to repair all the electrical/airbag issues. When I took the car to irvine BMW for another estimate, they advised me that they could take care of the problem, however after three days I was again informed that they the airbag/electrical problem would not be covered under the warranty. I moved to California about one year ago and purchased this vehicle on from excalibur imports in studio city, ca on March 28, 2006. Although my previous vehicle was a Mercedes Benz, I decided to purchase a BMW and benefit from the extraordinary customer service of BMW. This is, in fact, my first experience with BMW. I have always taken excellent care of my car; it has always been garaged, and maintained by BMW dealers. I have always use premium gas to ensure quality of performance and maintenance. To my regret, I have been driving this car for over a year without airbag protection. The nature of my job requires me to commute over 100 miles per day on the freeway. Please be advised that my family and I are extremely worried about the risks that I am taking because of BMW's failure to properly maintain my vehicle. I am a single mother of three and find I am now afraid of driving because of the consequences of an acid.

- Newport Coast, CA, USA

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