NHTSA Complaint #10538034 — 2004 BMW Z4

STEERING WAS STICKING AND FEELING FUNNY. SEEMED TO TAKE MORE FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL. IT FELT MAGNETIC IN THE CENTER OR RIBBED LIKE. THEN IT WOULD SUDDENLY GO WHEN TURNING. HAD TO BE VERY CAREFUL. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FIND THAT THE BMW Z4'S HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH STEERING COLUMNS IN THE 2003, 2004, 2005 AND SOME 2006 YEAR CARS. HAS TO DO WITH THE METAL WORM GEAR CLEARANCE IN THE NYLON COG GEAR BEING A POOR DESIGN. ON HOT DAYS THE CLEARANCE GOES TO ZERO MAKING THE GEARS TO TIGHT. ALSO NYLON ABSORBS MOISTURE AFTER A WHILE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE NYLON GEAR TO INCREASE IN SIZE DECREASING THE CLEARANCE EVEN MORE. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND NOW AM SOMEWHAT AFRAID TO DRIVE IT OR LET MY FAMILY DRIVE IT. BMW HAS REPLACED MANY OF THESE. I HOPE MINE CAN BE REPLACED AS RIGHT NOW I'M NOT SURE WHAT MY RECOURSE MAY BE.