2003 BMW Z4 Steering Problems

GARBAGE! ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE THE STEERING ISSUE ON MY Z4. FROM TJE UNSEALED BEARING IN THE STERRING COLUNN TO THE UN- HIGH PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING FOR TJE OVERALL STEERING SYSTEM FOR THE ENTIRE CAR. WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY PUTTING POWER ASSIAT STEERING ON THIS LITTLE SHORT CAR ANYWAY... HENCE WHY ITS NOT ON THE M SERIES. MY GRANDFATHER'S 1965 TRUCK RAN TRUER THAN THIS DEATH TRAP. ITS A SHAME TO HAVE A GREAT CAR AND SCREW IT UP WITH THE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, TJE MOST IMPORTANT PART😤😡😠. CAR DARTS ALL OVER THE ROAD, CONSTANT CORRECTIONS WITH PUBLIC SAFETY IN JEOPARDY. THIS IS A TRAVESTY IN DEED!!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4 ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON HOT DAYS AND WHEN THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED, THE STEERING WOULD BECOME STUCK WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED, IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE CENTER POSITION. THE DEALER (BMW OF CHARLOTTESVILLE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA, 434-270-8664) AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON WARM DAYS (80 OR ABOVE) THE STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION WHEN SMALL ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE. THE STEERING FEELS "STICKY" OR "NOTCHED" REQUIRING THE DRIVER TO RE POSITION THE STEERING WHEEL TO STAY ON THE ROAD. TIRE PRESSURES ARE IN SPEC AS IS THE ALIGNMENT.

STICKY STEERING WHEN IT IS HOT WEATHER. IT IS HARD TO STEER AND WILL NOT STRAIGHTEN UP. CONSTANT STEERING PROBLEM ESPECIALLY IN HOT WEATHER. THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM.

AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 20MPH) STEERING IS VERY LIGHT AND SMOOTH, NO ISSUES AT ALL. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE STEERING GETS HEAVIER (AS IT SHOULD) BUT DEVELOPS A "DETENT" AT STRAIGHT CENTER. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES.

WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING STICKS AND IS VERY STIFF. NOT FLUID STEERING BUT JERKING AND IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO DRIVE. THIS IS A DANGER ON ROAD.

STEERING GETS "STUCK" WHILE DRIVING. FEELS LIKE YOUR IN A RUT. 35K ON THE VEHICLE AND THE BMW DEALER SAID THE STEERING COLUMN MUST BE REPLACED FOR $4538.41. I READ ON THE INTERNET THE ISSUES WITH THE STEERING COLUMN ISSUES FOR CARS 2003-2005. MANY HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AND BMW HAD NO RECALLS ON THE CARS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO DRIVE THE CARS. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHSTA AND WONDERING WHAT WAS DONE WITH THE ISSUE. I ONLY DRIVE 1500 MILES PER YEAR AND IT STARTED LATE LAST SUMMER AND IS NOW UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE OF SAFETY ISSUES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS MORE PRONOUNCED DURING WARM TEMPERATURES. THE CONTACT WAS A MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING OPEN FACED BEARING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 08/29/2017*JS

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE WHILE IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS RESULTED IN INCORRECT AMOUNTS OF STEERING PRESSURE BEING APPLIED BY TWO DIFFERENT DRIVERS & NEAR ACCIDENTS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DATE IS APPROXIMATE FOR FIRST OCCURRENCE.

STEERING SEEMS RANDOMLY UNRESPONSIVE. YOU TURN STEERING WHEEL AN THERE IS A LAG. FEELS LIKE I DONT ALWAYS HAVE CONTROL OF MY CAR.

STEERING IS TOO UNSTABLE ON STRAIGHT DRIVING. A SUDDEN PULL TO THE RIGHT/LEFT AND STEERING IS NOT CENTERING. STEERING IS STIFF AND HARD TO CONTROL.

TAKATA RECALL. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BMW Z4 2003 THE STEERING WHEEL IS GETTING NOTCHY AND SOMETIMES IT GETS STUCK IN THE LEFT OR RIGHT POSITION. I REPLACED THE STEERING COLUMN AND IT STILL DOING THE SAME THING. NEED HELP.

STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE GETS ABOVE 80 DEGREES. THE STEERING WHEEL GETS HARD TO TURN AND TURN BACK STRAIGHT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS MOVING AT SPEEDS HIGHER THEM 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

WHEN DRIVING THE STEERING IS STICKY ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HOT OUT. IT IS HARD TO KEEP THE CAR STRAIGHT WITHOUT CONSTANTLY MOVING THE WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT AND YOU CAN FEEL THE GAP IN THE MOVE. YOU FEEL A SKIP IN THE MOVE. IT MAKES IT FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO JUMP TO FAR RIGHT OR LEFT. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS THE LAST 3 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. MY TIRES ARE NEW AND WELL BALANCED SO IT IS NOT THE TIRES. IT DID THIS WITH THE OLD TIRES AND NOW CONTINUES TO DO IT. YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME AND DRIVE IT. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND TRYING TO DRIVE STRAIGHT AHEAD. WHEN MAKING A REASONABLE TURN IT IS FINE.

WHEN OPERATING VEHICLE AFTER ABOUT 2 HOURS, NORMALLY IN HOT WEATHER, THE STEERING GETS STICKY AND FEELS CATCHY. THE VEHICLE IS MOVING, AT ANY SPEED WHEN THIS HAPPENS. AFTER LETTING SIT FOR A COUPLE HOURS IT IS FINE. DRIVE FOR ANOTHER FEW HOURS AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN, REPEATABLE. HAPPENS GOING STRAIGHT, TURNING IS FINE.

MY NAME IS [XXX] , I JUST RECENTLY OWN A 2003 BMW Z4. IT IS ABOUT 65K CLEAN TITLE. I HAVE JUST NOTICE SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE STEERING. I RESEARCHED THIS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. MOST RELATE TO ISSUES IN HOT TEMPERATURES AND TO SPEED. PROBLEM WAS VERY NOTICEABLE LAST EVENING AT 70 DEGREES. HERE ARE THE SYMPTOMS... AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 20MPH) STEERING IS VERY LIGHT AND SMOOTH, NO ISSUES AT ALL. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE STEERING GETS HEAVIER (AS IT SHOULD) BUT DEVELOPS A "DETENT" AT STRAIGHT CENTER. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES. THE HOT WEATHER JUST MAKES IT WORSE. FROM WHAT I KNOW FROM RESEARCH,...

THE STEERING STICKS OFTEN ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY FORCING ME TO OVERCOMPENSATE TO STEER THE CAR. CONSTANTLY FIGHTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO ADJUST THE DIRECTION THE CAR IF GOING. NOTICED THE PROBLEM DURING WARM/HOT TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE. UNSAFE CONDITION AND VERY UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR. CONDITION CAUSING THE PROBLEM IS UNKNOWN.

SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR 2 YRS AGO. THE STEERING GETS "STICKY". IT IS HARD TO CENTER AND HARD TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL THEN IT OVER ADJUSTS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT WHEN IT IS ABOVE 80, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL. HUGE SAFETY ISSUE

STEERING IS SHIFTY AT ALL SPEEDS AND STICKS REQUIRING EXTRA FORCE TO REDIRECT IT MAKING THE POSSIBILITY OF CROSSING INTO OTHER LANES OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC A RISK. MAKES GROANING NOISE IN SLOW SPEED TURNS.

STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND RESULTS IN ERRATIC DRIVING TO MOVE IT FROM THE STUCK POSITION. HAPPENS IN CITY AND THE HIGHWAY.

I PURCHASED THE CAR USED ON APRIL 2, 2016 AND NOTICED THE CONDITION ON THE FIRST WARM DAY (75F OR HIGHER) ON OR AROUND MAY2, 2016. THE CAR EXHIBITS STICKY STEERING DURING WARM WEATHER. THIS CONDITION MAKES THE STEERING FEEL AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS STICKING WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS BUT IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT MAKES IT HARD TO GO STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD BECAUSE THE STEERING FEELS "NOTCHY".

STEERING STICKS AFTER TEMPERATURE GETS WARMER. WILL ALMOST OVER STEER ON CURVES OR NARROW ROADS. HARDER TO STEER AT HIGHER SPEEDS. WHEN FIRST STARTED STEERING FEELS PRETTY NORMAL, BUT GETS HARDER TO STEER THE FURTHER YOU GO. WILL NOT MY FAMILY MEMBERS DRIVE, COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. HAPPENS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS WET OR DRY.

THIS CAR HAS BEEN EXHIBITING STICKY STEERING WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 70-75 DEGREES. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE, AND I ATTRIBUTED IT TO TIRE PRESSURES ETC. HAVING NOW EXPERIENCED IT MORE SEVERLY I DID SOME RESEARCH AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THE ABILITY TO SAFELY ADJUST THE STEERING WHEN THIS HAPPENS IS LIMITED, AND THE CAR CAN EASILY OVERSTEER AND CAUSE UNEXPECTED LANE CHANGES. IT IS SURPRISING THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REFERENCES TO THIS ISSUE IN ONLINE FORUMS SUCH AS THESE: HTTPS://WWW.BMWCCA.ORG/FORUM/INDEX.PHP?THREADS/STICKING-STEERING-UNSOLVED-MYSTERY.5921/ HTTP://WWW.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?1055032-STICKY-STEERING

POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILED. CAR IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE CREATING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. CAR HAS 23,256 MILES. I STORED THE CAR FROM OCTOBER 10, 2015 UNTIL MARCH 27, 2016. TOOK THE CAR OUT ON EASTER SUNDAY FOR ABOUT 10 MILES, CAR RAN FINE. PULLED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE ON MARCH 29, 2016 AND STEERING ASSIST FAILED COMPLETELY. DID NOT DRIVE THE CAR ON THE ROAD. CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE APPOINTMENT FOR APRIL 14, 2016.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FINES BMW $40 MILLION FOR FAILING TO MEET SAFETY REQUIREMENTS NHTSA 53-15 MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2015 CONTACT: [XXX] , [email protected] FINE IS AUTO COMPANY'S SECOND SINCE 2012 WASHINGTON ' THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION HAS IMPOSED A $40 MILLION CIVIL PENALTY AND A SERIES OF PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS TO AUTOMAKER BMW NORTH AMERICA FOR A SERIES OF VIOLATIONS OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY ACT AND NHTSA REGULATIONS. ******************************************************************************************************************************** NHTSA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL ON THE ISSUE OF STICKY STEERING. FOR BMW TO SAY IT IS JUST A NUISANCE STEERING IS TOTALLY NOT TRUE. WITH YOUR LATEST FINE FOR BMW YOU KNOW BMW RESPONSE TO THIS ISSUE IS JUST ANOTHER SMOKE SCREEN OF THE ISSUE. IF STEERING OF A VEHICLE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEN THE NHTSA NEEDS TO ELEVATED WHAT IS SAFETY. THEIR WILL BE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS...

STEERING BECOMES VERY STICKY WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES BECOME HOT. VEHICLE SEEMS UNSAFE WHEN ON HIGHWAY AND LANE CHANGES ARE DIFFICULT TO MAKE AS STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER POSITION !

MY Z4 HAS ABOUT 70,000 MILES ON IT AND I JUST GOT IT BACK IN 6/20015 AND I NOTICED WHEN STEERING THERE IS A SORTA STICKING PROBLEM WITH IT AND IT KIND A WANT TO DRIFT SIDE TO SIDE ? NOW THE STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND ITS LIKE A OLD TYPE STANDARD STEERING CAR. AND WHEN RESTARTED IT WORKS FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN. THIS WOULD BE A REAL PROBLEM FOR A OLDER PERSON IF THIS WOULD HAPPEN , MAY CAUSE A SEVER ACCIDENT . I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND I DON'T THINK THIS IS A SOLO EVENT FOR ME. I DID ASK MY LOCAL DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS CAR. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL I AM THE 2ND OWNER ?

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND IN THE CITY, MY BMW Z4'S STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK, PULLS TO THE LEFT & RIGHT AND NEEDS HARD FORCE TO RELEASE IT. I'VE ALMOST WRECKED SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS! I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT'S TOO DANGEROUS. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, I'VE FOUND OUT THAT THOUSANDS OF BMW Z4 OWNERS HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

SUDDENLY UNABLE TO STEER. WHEN MOVING IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IT WAS AGAIN UNABLE TO STEER. BUT AGAIN WAS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN MOVING AS WELL. STEERING LIGHT CAME ON. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. GETTING WORSE. TURN OFF AND RESTART ENGINE AND THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY FOR A SHORT WHILE THEN RETURNS. SEEMS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE.

AFTER SITTING IN HOT DIRECT SUN FOR OVER TWO HOURS, THE STEERING ON THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO MANAGE. THE STEERING GETS EXTREMELY LOOSE AND YOU HAVE TO HOLD TIGHTLY TO THE STEERING WHEEL TO KEEP THE CAR FROM SWERVING. THERE IS NO ISSUE ON A COOL DAY, NOR IS THERE AN ISSUE ON A HOT DAY IF THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE SHADE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS TO MY 2003 Z4. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND STORED IN THE WINTER. IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN THE RAIN OR SNOW AND IS WELL-MAINTAINED. AS OF SEPTEMBER 2015, THE CAR ONLY HAS 12,000 MILES, SO IT SHOULD NOT BE A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 300 COMPLAINTS FILED ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 2003. THE INVESTIGATION DONE IN 2010 WAS CLOSED IN 2011, AND YET HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS REMAIN UNANSWERED. IT SHOULD...

STEERING BECOMES VERY STICKY AND JERKY IN HOT WEATHER. STEERING IS SO BAD IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN WEATHER IS HOT. THIS IS BEEN AN ON GOING ISSUE AND REPORTED BEFORE BUT NOTHING GETS DONE ABOUT A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHEN STEERING ISN'T A FACTOR FOR RECALL BY NTHSA. BMW LAWYERS APPARENTLY OUT SMARTED THE NTHSA. I INVITED ANY HTHSA OFFICIAL TO COME DRIVE MY 2003 Z4 AND PUT HIS LIFE AT RISK. BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISSUE UNTIL NTHSA ISSUE A RECALL.

GETTING INTO THE CAR AFTER SHOPPING IT WAS SUDDENLY UNABLE TO STEER. WHEN MOVING IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER. WHEN STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IT WAS AGAIN UNABLE TO STEER. BUT AGAIN WAS VERY HARD TO STEER WHEN MOVING. I'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR YEARS WITH THE STEERING STICKING WHEN DRIVING BUT THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT ISSUE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THIS.

STICKY OR JERKING STEERING WHILE DRIVING BMW 2003 Z4, FIRST ATTEMPT WAS TO TAKE THE CAR TO AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER IN JULY 2013 , MILEAGE 27,756. SUGGESTED RESULT WAS TO REPLACE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN. 2ND ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE PROBLEM, APRIL 2014 MILEAGE 28,844. LUBRICATE UPPER STEERING WHEEL BEARING. 3RD ATTEMPT, MAY2015, MILEAGE 31,098. INSTALLED GREASE FITTING INTO STEERING COLUMN. NOW AT 32,000 MILES CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. BMW NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE WITH Z4 MODELS FROM 2003 -JUNE 2006 PRODUCTION.

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING INTO CURVES THE RETURN STEERING STICKS REQUIRING FORCE TO OVERCOME THE STICK. WHEN THE STICK IS OVERCOME IT CAUSES AN OVERSTEER CONDITION AND REQUIRES RAPID CORRECTION. THIS IS INTERMITTENT ALTHOUGH WITH A HIGH RATE OF OCCURENCE.

STEERING WHEEL ROTATION INHIBITED, WOULD NOT TURN SMOOTHLY, EXTRA FORCE NEEDED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION, VERY HEAVY CENTER DETENT. CAR SWERVES VIOLENTLY WHEN EXTRA FORCE ON WHEEL IS USED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. UNABLE TO MAKE COMMON MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, RESULTANT OVERSTEERING CAUSES ERRATIC MOVEMENTS. CAR NEARLY GONE OFF ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. HEAT RELATED. HAPPENS WHEN CAR CABIN TEMPERATURE ELEVATED BY SUNSHINE OR EXTENDED DRIVES/USE. >=2.5HRS. CAR IS UNSAFE. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES CAUSE RELATED TO STEERING COLUMN/GEARS BUT REFUSES TO RECALL/FIX. PLEASE HELP BEFORE MORE ARE KILLED.

THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN OCTOBER OF 2005. I REPORTED TO DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS SINCE THEN, THAT THE STEERING STICKS WHEN CAR IS HOT OR ON A HOT DAY AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. THEY ALL INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER INSPECTION. THIS CONTINUES TO PLAGUE MY VEHICLE AND CAUSES ME TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER WRAPS ON HOT DAYS (WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IN FLORIDA) BECAUSE IF I START TO ADJUST STEERING AS I DRIVE, THE WHEEL APPEARS TO LOCK AND CONTINUE IN THAT DIRECTION. I HAVE TO FORCE IT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. IT'S A NUISANCE AND A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I INITIALLY REPORTED THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR THAT BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SHAME ON THEM. I HAVE OWNED 4 BMW'S AND THE Z4 IS THE ONLY...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ISSUES ONCE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING AWHILE. THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS, NOISES, OR WARNING LIGHTS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. MA 10/14 UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN

ON HOT DAYS(>75 F) THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY. I FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THE CAR WILL LOCK ON ME. REPLACING THE ENTIRE COLUMN IS BIT TOO EXPENSIVE SO I LIMIT MY DRIVING TO COLDER DAYS ONLY, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE CONVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE MANY OWNERS OF 2003 BMW Z4 HAVE SIMILAR ISSUE. I'VE BEEN HOPING FOR YEARS THAT BMW WILL HAVE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SUCH A NICE CAR, AND AT THE SAME TIME HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT IF IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE AND LACK OF RESPONSE FROM THE BMW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

ON WARM DAYS THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE STICKY. ITS NOT A FLUID AS IT IS WHEN CAR IS IN COOLER WEATHER. AFTER SOME RESEARCH THERE APPEARS TO BE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2003-2005 MODEL BMW Z4 WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS WAS NEVER RECALLED.

POWER STEERING DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING WITH EPS LIGHT ILLUMINATING.

STEERING WHEEL WILL STICK IN THE CENTER POSITION WHEN HOT OUTSIDE. THIS CAUSES AN OVER CORRECTION WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

THE POWER STEERING QUIT I LOST THE POWER STEERING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO STEER. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER I WAS INFORMED THEY HAD BEEN REPLACING THEM FREE OF CHARGE ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, BUT I WAS OUT OF LUCK BECAUSE I WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE GIRL I SPOKE WITH SAID SHE WOULD TALK TO HER SUPERVISOR AND SEE IF THEY COULD HELP. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BACK. IF MY WIFE HAD BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME THE PUMP FAILED IT DEFINITELY COULD HAVE BEEN A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A HOT DAY, THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. WHEN YOU NOTICE THIS AND USE THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT IT FEELS A LOCKED. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO THE FACT THAT IN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE IS REQUIRED TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO RESPOND. WHEN IT DOES RESPOND, BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF FORCE BEING USED, IT CAUSES A CHANGE OF COURSE THAT COULD TAKE YOU INTO ANOTHER LANE. RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM HAS LED ME TO FIND THAT NOT ONLY DOES BMW KNOW OF THE PROBLEM THEY REFUSE ANY ACTION AND PUT THE $3500 BILL SQUARELY ON THE OWNER. IN MY MIND THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH THE RECALL. *TR

STEERING LOCKS UP.. IF SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES IT RELEASES.. WENT TO GET GAS.. SHUT OFF.. STARTED.. SAME THING WITH ADDITION OF AIR BAG LIGHT GOING ON.. SHUT OFF SEVERAL MORE TIMES TO GET GOING BUT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. *TR

STEERING LOCKS UP.. IF SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES IT RELEASES.. WENT TO GET GAS.. SHUT OFF.. STARTED.. SAME THING WITH ADDITION OF AIR BAG LIGHT GOING ON.. SHUT OFF SEVERAL MORE TIMES TO GET GOING BUT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ON. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO YOUR 245 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE STEERING PROBLEM IN THIS VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS CAUSING YOU TO HAVE TO PULL THE WHEEL TO STRAIGHTEN IT AND IS WORSE WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS UP TO TEMPERATURE. IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR TWO YEARS DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL CAUSE A FATALITY IF IT IS NOT CORRECTED. I HAVE READ THAT NHTSA CALLS THIS A "NUISANCE". IT IS NOT A NUISANCE IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE CAUSED BY THE CAR MANUFACTURER. I HAVE BEEN A MECHANIC FOR 45 YEARS AND I HAVE DISSECTED THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE ISSUE IS THE TOP BEARING IN THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN. IT IS AN OPEN BEARING AND IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SEALED BEARING. THE LOWER BEARING...

THE STEERING PULLS ERRATICALLY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND BECOMES STUCK. IT REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION TO CORRECT THE ERRATIC BEHAVIOR OF THE STEERING. IT HAS SUDDENLY PULLED IN EACH DIRECTION AT DIFFERENT TIMES AND I HAVE HAD TO PULL BACK HARD TO AVOID CROSSING INTO TRAFFIC OR SIDESWIPING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. THIS IS NOT TIRES OR RUTTED ROADS CAUSING THIS. IT IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE BMW Z4. PLEASE PUSH FOR A RECALL.. THE BEARING IN THE COLUMN IS UNSEALED AND NOT ABLE TO BE LUBRICATED SO IT DRIES OUT AND CAUSES THESE ISSUES. *TR

CAR STEERING HARD TO CENTER , STEERING STICKS TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT , WHEN TEMPERATURE OUT SIDE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES OR WHEN YOU DRIVE A LONG WAYS AND THE CAR BEGINS TO PRODUCE HEAT.VERY HARD TO DRIVE OR TAKE A LONG TRIP IN.VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

STEERING GOT TIGHT, HARD TO STEER, BUT CAR WAS CONTROLLABLE. TURNED WHEEL AND I NEEDED TO TURN IT BACK TO CENTER, IT WOULD NOT RETURN ITSELF. *TR

AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AROUND 95, THE STEERING RESPONSE OF THE CAR BECAME VERY STICKY OR NOTCHY. IF YOU WERE TO TURN THE WHEEL A FEW DEGREES AS REQUIRED BY EXITING OFF A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP THE WHEEL WOULD NOT RETURN TO CENTER. WITH SLIGHT ADDITIONAL FORCE IT DID. WITH GENERAL DRIVING THE WHEEL REQUIRED MORE FORCE TO TURN TO OVERCOME THE "STICKY OR NOTCHY" SENSATION FELT THROUGH OUT THE STEERING WHEEL. VERY UNSAFE FEELING. *TR