NHTSA Complaint #10341263 — 2005 BMW Z4

ON JUNE 28, 2010 I LEARNT THAT THE NHTSA ODI OPENED INVESTIGATION PE10020 INTO SAFETY ISSUES WITH 2003 TO 2005 BMW Z4 POWER STEERING SYSTEMS. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM EXACTLY DESCRIBES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RECURRING PROBLEM I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY 2005 Z4, IN THAT THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS, BINDS OR LOCKS UP, AND REQUIRES INCREASED STEERING EFFORT RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE POTENTIAL TO OVER-STEER WHEN MAKING HARD AND ABRUPT STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENTS. THE FAILURES TYPICALLY OCCUR AT HIGHER VEHICLE SPEEDS (45 MPH OR GREATER) AND IN WARM/HOT WEATHER (75 F OR HIGHER). IN MY CASE, THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT I) AVERTS DRIVER ATTENTION FROM FOCUSING ON THE ROAD AND SURROUNDINGS TO CONSCIOUSLY THINK ABOUT AND PHYSICALLY OVERCOME THE STEERING MECHANISM RESISTANCE, AND II) HAVING TO OVER-CORRECT SHARPLY ON TURNS TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES. I HAVE CORRELATED THIS MOSTLY WITH DRIVING IN HIGHER TEMPERATURE, WHERE ON DAYS OVER 85F THE STEERING IS VERY STIFF, HOWEVER I WOULD SAY THAT AS A FIVE TIME BMW OWNER, IT IS STIFF/NOTCHY EVEN AT 68F. *TR