NHTSA Complaint #10280389 — 2005 BMW Z4

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 40-65 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. WHEN THE WHEEL IS RELEASED, IT OVERTURNS AND FORCES THE DRIVER TO STRUGGLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 7-8 TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURS AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, SUCH AS 80'S AND 90'S. THEY DEALER STATED THAT THE UPDATED SOFTWARE PROGRAM FAILED. THE PROGRAM WAS INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE REBOOTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ANOTHER HOT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,490 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 23,177. UPDATED 09/23/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING BINDS ON DAYS WHEN TEMPERATURES EXCEED 85 DEGREES. WHEN THE STEERING DOES RELEASE, IT COMES WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION WITHOUT ADDITIONAL EFFORT. UPDATED 09/29/09.*JB