NHTSA Complaint #10466534 — 2004 BMW Z4

STEERING STICKS WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE HOT 90DEG+. I NOTICED THIS CONDITION LAST YEAR IN THE SUMMER MONTHS EVERY TIME I DROVE THE CAR IN THE HEAT (N. TEXAS SUMMER) THE CAR HAD ABOUT 39000MI. ON IT. THE STEERING WHEEL LITERATELY FEELS STUCK IN A POSITION AND TAKES ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF EFFORT TO TURN/CHANGE DIRECTION THEN IT'S LIKE IT JUST SUDDENLY RELEASES AND CAUSES YOU TO OVER-STEER THE CAR IT FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC OR DRIVING CLOSE TO A HWY BARRIER/CONSTRUCTION ZONE ETC.. MY WIFE STARTED DRIVING THE CAR TODAY AND SAID THE STEERING FELT LIKE IT WAS STICKING, AND THAT SHE HAD TO USE CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO CHANGE DIRECTION AND THE CAR WOULD DART DUE TO HAVING TO OVERCOMPENSATE FOR THE STUCK CONDITION, SHE SAID IT SCARED HER. BEST DESCRIPTION I CAN GIVE IS TO COMPARE THE STEERING TO AN ELECTRICAL SWITCH E.G. (FAN BLOWER SWITCH) THAT HAS A DETENTE OR CLICK BETWEEN THE SPEEDS AND HOW IT TAKES ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO CHANGE FROM ONE SPEED TO ANOTHER. I HAVE BEEN READING THE FORUMS AND BLOGS AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH 2003-2005 BMW Z4'S SO I AM ADDING MINE TO THE LIST. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE I BELIEVE BMW SHOULD STEP UP AND RECALL OR TAKE CARE OF THIS APPARENT DESIGN FLAW WITHIN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THESE CARS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN THIS CONDITION ARISES. *TR