2004 BMW Z4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
443
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2004 BMW Z4
The 2004 BMW Z4 has received a total of 443 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Steering (362 complaints), Air Bags (17 complaints), and Electrical System (14 complaints).
Recalls for the 2004 BMW Z4
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2004 BMW Z4, potentially affecting up to 13,769 vehicles.
Recall 04V182000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 13,769 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, A VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL PUMP COULD OCCUR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
Consequence: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRICAL LINE POWERING THE FUEL PUMP IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN OCCURRENCE OF VAPOR LOCK. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2004 BMW Z4
443 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 BMW Z4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 362 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringelectric Power Assist System | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringcolumn | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitywiper | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classification | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssensoroccupant Classificationfront Passenger | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptivemobility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringrack And Pinion | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
Twice this month, while operating the vehicle, the power steering completely stopped functioning, causing the vehicle to be almost uncontrollable. No prior warning light. When I purchased the vehicle in 2018, the same problem occurred and the dealer replaced the steering column under warranty. In researching online I find that this is a common problem with this model. I am surprised to find that there is no recall notice for what is a major safety concern.
Power steering wheel went out of power during a trip at about 70mph. Yellow light at the dashboard went ON then so, car became imposible to drive or so.
The electric steering gets sticky when very often. It feels locked in its position and requires extra force to unstick, once its past the sticking point it over corrects and causes the vehicle to swerve. This failure seems to be quite common and is well known. It seems to be a manufacturing defect inside the electric steering column. I believe it should be investigated by NHTSA. The last time it happened my car went off onto the soft shoulder. The manufacturer should repair the steering. It’s a widely known issue.
When driving the steering is loose or sticky. The problem gets worse when the weather is warm. Sometimes it’s hard to keep the car driving in a straight path. This is scary and dangerous. His occurs whenever the car is driven. Other z4 drivers are having the same problem.
Safety Rating for the 2004 BMW Z4
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 BMW Z4 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 BMW Z4
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 BMW Z4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
SI-B-34-11-08 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
BMW VEHICLES: TEILECLEARING FOR DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC). A PART REPLACEMENT AUTHORIZATION MUST BE OBTAINED BY SUBMITTING A TC CASE IN PUMA BEFORE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING DSC COMPONENTS ARE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED IN THE MODEL SECTION OF THIS BULLETIN: DSC CONTROL MODULE, DSC HYDRO UNIT,...
SIB-12-20-07 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BMW VEHICLE: M54/M56-MIXTURE TOO LEAN-FAULT CODES 2882/2883 ARE STORED IN THE DME. COMPLAINTS THAT SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. THE FAULT CODES 2882/2883-FUEL TRIM, MIXTURE TOO LEAN ARE STORED IN THE DME. POSSIBLE CAUSES MAY INCLUDE-INCORRECT AIR FILTER, UNMETERED AIR OR A DEFECTIVE AIR MASS METER. *PE
121104 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RETROFIT THE POWER SUPPLY CABLE FOR THE THERMAL OIL LEVEL SENSOR. *EH
NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 BMW Z4
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW Z4
- 2002 BMW Z4 — 6 complaints
- 2003 BMW Z4 — 459 complaints
- 2004 BMW Z4 (current)
- 2005 BMW Z4 — 204 complaints
- 2006 BMW Z4 — 107 complaints
- 2007 BMW Z4 — 42 complaints
- 2008 BMW Z4 — 27 complaints
- 2009 BMW Z4 — 26 complaints