NHTSA Complaint #10355744 — 2004 BMW Z4

2004 BMW Z4, VIN:[XXX], 63000 MILES THE BMW IS HAVING A SEVERE STEERING PROBLEM ON HOT SUMMER DAYS. TRAVELING AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR CAN BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO AN ELECTRIC STEERING. THE STEERING IS SUPPOSED TOO TIGHTEN SOME DEPENDING ON SPEED AND DRIVING CONDITIONS. IN MANY CASES THAT I HAVE FOUND IN RESEARCH IT GETS TO TIGHT AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE THE MINIMUM OF STEERING CORRECTIONS. IN MY CASE IT CAN MAKE THE CAR MOVE INTO ANOTHER LANE ON THE HIGHWAY FROM A SMALL CORRECTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE ARE SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN THE MINI COOPER, Z4, AND 3 SERIES BMW'S. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A BMW DEALER (SUNBELT MOTORS, INC., MERIDIAN, MS) FOR DIAGNOSIS. THEIR SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN IN THE CAR AT A COST OF $2600.00 (PARTS ONLY) PLUS LABOR. I CONTACTED BMW AND OPEN A CASE STUDY WITH THEM REGARDING THIS MATTER. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY DO NOT FEEL ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. ALL IT TAKES IS A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH FOR: BMW Z4 STEERING PROBLEMS TO SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR