NHTSA Complaint #10354531 — 2003 BMW Z4

2003 BMW Z4 POWER STEERING BINDS UP DURING HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES (OVER 90 F) ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS LEFT IN THE SUN ALL DAY. WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT MOVING IT STICKS IN THAT POSITION REQUIRING TREMENDOUS FORCE TO GET IT TO MOVE FROM THAT POSITION AND TURN THE CAR. IT WILL STICK GOING DOWN THE ROAD THEN YOU HAVE TO FORCE IT TO BREAK LOOSE TO CORRECT THE CAR'S DIRECTION, THEN IT STICKS IN THIS NEW LOCATION AND YOU HAVE TO BREAK IT LOOSE TO RETURN THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHT AHEAD. WHEN YOU BREAK THE STEERING LOOSE IT MAKES AN AUDIBLE THUNK. THIS BEHAVIOR CAUSES THE CAR TO DIVE INTO THE NEXT LANE OR ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND DANGEROUS TO EVEN DRIVE AT 35 MILES AN HOUR. THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMS THE CAR HAS NEVER EXHIBITED THIS BEHAVIOR FOR THEM, AND IT WILL COST $3700 TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING. *TR