2004 BMW Z4 Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD CONTINUALLY OVER STEER AND WOULD BECOME STUCK IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

THE Z4 HAS AN POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHERE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR AND DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE. SOMETIMES THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK. I THINK THAT THE CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE I AM A WOMAN AND MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER UPPER BODY STRENGTH TO CONTROL THE CAR! *TR

BROUGHT MY CAR OUT OF STORAGE FOR THE YEAR. WHILE DRIVING IT WOULD PULL BOTH TO THE RIGHT AND TO THE LEFT DEPENDING ON LANE CHOICE. STEERING WHEEL FEELS LIKE IT IS CLICKING FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER. CONSTANT STEERING INPUT REQUIRED TO KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. ALIGNMENT IS FINE, TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED AND BALANCED. IT'S LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL IS SLIPPING FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER WITHOUT MOVING IT. *TR

ON FIRST HOT DAY OF THE YEAR (85 DEGREES F), THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT FELT LIKE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS "STICKING". IT TOOK EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO TURN MORE THAN DESIRED. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *KB

AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (A 2004 BMW Z4 WITH ONLY 34500 MILES) ON THE WAY HOME I NOTICED A "STICKING" IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (APPROXIMATELY 1ST WEEK OF FEBRUARY 2012). WHICH OF COURSE WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING BEING THAT I HAD ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. BUT CONSIDERING THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF THE CAR I HOPED IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR SOMETIME. I WAS WRONG IT IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM. AFTER VERY LITTLE RESEARCH I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. APPARENTLY IT IS DUE TO EXPANSION OF A GEAR IN THE STEERING COLUMN DUE TO HEAT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. I FELT I HAD FOUND A GOOD CAR CONSIDERING THE VERY LOW MILEAGE. I'VE FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO HAVE THEIR STEERING COLUMNS REPLACED AT A COST...

I HAVE THE "Z4 STICKY STEERING" PROBLEM WHICH IS WIDELY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET. STEERING IS OK WHEN COLD OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND OCCURS ONLY WHEN TEMPERATURE IS OVER 75 DEGREES F AND AT SPEEDS OVER 45 MPH. THE STEERING WHEEL FIRMLY RESISTS TURNING (STICKS) AND, WHEN ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED, FINALLY RELEASES AND TURNS UNTIL ANOTHER STICKY ZONE CREATES RESISTANCE. THIS MAKES SLIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS IMPOSSIBLE AND RESULTS IN A ZIG ZAG RATHER THAT STRAIGHT LINE PATH DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE EFFORT LEVEL IS MUCH TOO HIGH FOR DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND COMPROMISES THE ABILITY TO PREDICTABLY CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE EFFORT LEVEL TO OVERCOME THE STICKINESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL ROTATION IS COMPARABLE TO THAT REQUIRED FOR PARALLEL PARKING OF AN OLD NON POWER STEERING VEHICLE. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM RIGHT TO LEFT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO REMAIN DRIVING IN THE SAME LANE OR IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NEEDED TO TURN WHEEL SAFELY AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WITH POOR ROAD CONDITIONS, THIS EFFECT IS SEVERELY EXAGGERATED!!! STEERING BINDS UP WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS RESULTING IN OVERCORRECTIONS IN EITHER DIRECTION CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD TO BOTH ME AND OTHER VEHICLES IF I WERE TO CROSS LANES DUE TO OVERCORRECTION SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOME STIFF. THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TOWARD THE RIGHT AS WELL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURED WAS CONTACTED VIA POSTAL MAIL BUT THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A CONFIRMATION NOTICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

VEHICLE BOUGHT JULY 2011 WITH 40000 MILES. IN DECEMBER, 2011 ON THE RETURN TRIP (200 MILES EACH WAY), AFTER A 5 HR LAYOVER, THE STEERING ON THE CAR STARTED TO STICK IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. WHEN THE CAR DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND STEERING NEEDED TO BE CORRECTED TO THE RIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL A LOT OF FORCE WAS APPLIED AND THEN THE CAR WOULD OVER CORRECT TO THE RIGHT, SOME TIMES GOING ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IT DID NOT SEEM TO BE AS PREVALENT WHEN CORRECTIONS TO THE LEFT WERE NEEDED. SINCE THEN IT HAS OCCURRED ON AT LEAST TWO OTHER OCCASIONS, ALWAYS ON EXPRESSWAYS AND AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. AND WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 70 DEGREES F. *KB

THE STEERING BINDS AT ALMOST ANY SPEED. I NOTICED IT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT FORWARD. WHEN A CORRECTION IN DIRECTION IS MADE THE WHEEL BINDS UNTIL GREATER PRESSURE IS APPLIED. IT SEEMS THE PROBLEM IS REQUIRING EVEN MORE PRESSURE FOR THE CORRECTION. I CALLED BMWNA AND THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM IN FEAR FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHERS AROUND BMW'S Z-4 2004. *TR

THE STEERING BECOMES STUCK. UNDER HIGHWAY DRIVING CONDITIONS MAY CAUSE ERRATIC CONTROL AND ULTIMATELY AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING SEEMS TO BIND AND NEEDS GREATER PRESSURE TO FREE THE STEERING ITSELF. *TR

I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2004 BMW Z4. I NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THAT THE STEERING IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHILE TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT PATH, THE STEERING GETS "STUCK" AND YOU NEED TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE A TURN TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, OR EVEN TO CHANGE LANES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ACTION AND COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I HAVE NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND INDY WHOLESALE DIRECT, THE DEALER THAT I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM. NEITHER ONE SEEMS TO WANT TO HELP IN THIS SITUATION AND BOTH HAVE IGNORED MY COMPLAINTS. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED WITH THE NHTSA. I DID NOT GET A RESPONSE FROM MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. *TR

DRIVING ON A 70 DEGREE FALL DAY ON INTERSTATE 70, NEAR ST. LOUIS, THE STEERING BECAME LOCKED IN A CENTER POSITION. I WAS TRAVELING AROUND 65 TO 70 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I HAD TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO GET IT OFF CENTER TO MAKE A TURN. THIS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BEFORE I GOT TO MY DESTINATION. JERKING A STEERING WHEEL AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED ON A CROWDED HIGHWAY IS A HARROWING EXPERIENCE AND, TO SAY THE LEAST, VERY UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR AND I AM TRULY NERVOUS ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE OR LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK. *TR

POWER STEERING STICKS ON HOT DAYS TYPICALLY ABOVE 80 DEGREES. PROBLEM USUALLY OCCURS ON THE HIGHWAY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 50 MPH BUT HAS HAPPENED AT LOWER SPEEDS AS WELL. IT TAKES EXCESSIVE FORCE TO RELEASE THE STICKING WHICH RESULTS IN OVERCORRECTION. THIS HAS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE IN 2004 Z4'S. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY BMW HASN'T VOLUNTARILY HAD A RECALL OR WHY NHTSA HASN'T DEMANDED ONE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION IDENTIFIED BY MANY Z4 OWNERS. *TR

WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TODAY MY CAR EXPERIENCED A POWER STEERING ISSUE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD "FREEZE" OR "STICK" IN ONE PLACE. I HAD TO EXERT A LOT OF FORCE ON THE WHEEL TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO MOVE BUT WHEN IT "BROKE FREE" IT TURNED A LOT WITH THE HELP OF THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE I WAS PUTTING SO MUCH FORCE ON THE WHEEL TO GET IT TO MOVE. I HAD A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN MY LANE. THE POWER STEERING WAS DOING THIS THE ENTIRE DRIVE HOME OF 20 MILES. THE CAR WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE FIXED SINCE IT IS A HAZARD. IF THE POWER STEERING WAS JUST NOT WORKING AT ALL, IT WOULD BE OKAY BECAUSE THEN AT LEAST THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BE HARD TO MOVE ALL OF THE TIME SO...

ON HOT DAYS THE STEERING WILL CATCH AND REQUIRE UNUSUALLY HIGHER FORCE TO STEER RIGHT OR LEFT. LATER AT NIGHT WHEN THE CAR IS COOLER THE STEERING WILL BE NORMAL. *TR

UPON STARTING UP THE BMW Z4 THERE WAS NOTICEABLE PLAY IN THE STEERING. THE PLAY IN THE STEERING IS ENOUGH TO SO THAT WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT IS AT LEAST 4 INCHES FROM ENGAGEMENT RIGHT TO ENGAGEMENT LEFT. IN ADDITION, ONCE THERE IS ENGAGEMENT IT ENGAGES WITH WHAT MAY BE DESCRIBED AS A STICKY SPOT AFTER WHICH IT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE STEERING AGAIN DISENGAGES AND THERE IS THE 4 INCHES OF PLAY BEFORE IT RE-ENGAGES. WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN STEERING STRAIGHT AHEAD THE STEERING HAS THE 4 INCHES OF PLAY MAKING THE CAR WEAVE TO THE RIGHT OR TO THE LEFT AND WHEN CORRECTING THIS WEAVE THE STEERING JERKS THROUGH THE STICKY SPOT AT THE BEGINNING OF STEERING ENGAGEMENT AND BY THE TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED JUST ENOUGH TO STAY ON THE ROAD...

THE STEERING STICKS WHILE DRIVING. VERY SCARY SO I DON'T DRIVE THE CAR FOR MORE THAN 4 OR 5 MILE TRIPS. WON'T TAKE IT ON A HIGHWAY ANYMORE, SINCE I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN THE STEERING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TIRES HAD BROKEN BANDS AND THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WHAT I WAS FEELING, SO I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN AND WHATEVER ELSE MIGHT BE NECESSARY. THE TIRES WERE A HUGE EXPENSE. I CAN'T VERY WELL SELL THE CAR, SINCE I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE. PLEASE HELP. TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT, FOR THIS TO BE EXPECTED AND ACCEPTABLE.

2004 BMW Z4 3.0. STEERING GETS VERY LOOSE AND ONE CAN NOT STEER THE CAR ACCURATELY AT TIMES. VERY SCARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND ONE LOSES ALL CONFIDENCE N THE CAR. *TT

MY 2004 BMW Z4 3.0I HAS DIFFICULTY WITH STEERING WHEN THE TEMPERATURES EXCEED 95 DEGREES. THE CAR STEERING IS "STICKY" FOR LACK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION. IT IS SCARY TO DRIVE HOME FROM WORK AFTER IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. *TR

STEERING IS STICKY NOT ALLOWING STEERING WHEEL TO RETURN TO CENTER. TAKES CONSTANT PRESSURE TO STEER AND KEEP CENTERED. VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP IN CENTER OF LANE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

WRITES: I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. 2004 BMW Z4 WITH 23,500 MILES! DEALER IWILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN FOR A COST OF $3,700! WHERE CAN I FIND HELP IN FIXING THIS PROBLEM BEING A SENIOR CITIZEN ON LIMITED INCOME THE $3,700 REPAIR BILL IS A PROBLEM IS THERE A NUMBER TO CALL BMW TO ISSUE A COMPLAINT THANKS 2004 BMW Z4 ROADSTER VIN THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP GET INTO THE 90'S. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE STEERING COLUMN BEGAN STICKING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,500. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN UPDATED 09/27/11

AFTER THE CAR SITS OUTSIDE ON A HOT DAY WHEN DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 55-60, THE STEERING PULLS TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT AND FEELS LIKE IT ISN'T GOING TO UNSTICK. IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PULL. IT IS VERY SCARY AND DEFINITELY FEELS LIKE SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THE STEERING. THREE DIFFERENT DAYS AFTER SITTING IN THE PARKING LOT IT DID THIS WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME. NEVER DOES IT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING FROM THE GARAGE AND HAS NEVER DONE IT WHILE DRIVING IN THE EVENING OR AT NIGHT. WE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR FROM A DIFFERENT OWNER AND OF COURSE SHE DID NOT MENTION ANY PROBLEMS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO WORK NOW BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE IT WILL GET PERMANENTLY LOCKED UP AND I'LL END UP IN THE DITCH. *TR

NORMAL DRIVNG. CLUNKING SOUND IN 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING COLUMN. 11500 MILES. NOTHING DONE TO DATE. *KB

LACK OF STEERING CONTROL. *KB

THE STEERING HAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. STEERING HAS BECOME STIFF. A MECHANIC IS DOING A THOROUGH INSPECTION AND WE ARE AWAITING HIS FINAL ANALYSIS OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 3,000 MILES BUT BECAUSE IT IS A 2004, BMW WILL NOT COVER THIS DEFECT. PLEASE NOTIFY ME IF FURTHER INFORMATION IS NEEDED. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME.

BMW Z4 ROADSTER 23000 MILES STEERING COLUMN STICKS WHICH HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING A CRASH WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TT

STEERING STICKS IN STRAIGHT POSITION. BROUGHT TO DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO AND TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AFTER A FEW YEARS DUE TO SURGERY, PROBLEM PERSISTS BROUGHT TO REPAIR SHOP, BAD STEERING SYSTEM. ACTS UP MORE IN WARM WEATHER MORE SO THEN IN COOL MORNING. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR ON HIGHWAY, PROBLEM STAYING IN LANE. TOLD THIS IS NORMAL AND HAS BEEN APPROVED BY NHTSA. DEALER WANTS ALMOST $5,000 TO FIX, I WILL HAVE TO SELL CAR. *TR

STEERING PROBLEMS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP. IS HOT (85+) THE STEERING STICKS AND REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE FORCE TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC OR OFF THE ROAD I FIRST NOTICED IT AFTER I BOUGHT IT TWO WEEKS AGO AROUND 7-1 THE CAR HAS ABOUT 50,500 MILES ON IT

VEHICLE HAS A STEERING ISSUE WHERE IT BECOMES 'STICKY'; IT HOLDS VERY TIGHTLY TO THE CENTER POSITION AND IS DIFFICULT TO TURN. ONCE IT 'BREAKS FREE', IT TURNS SUDDENLY AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE BEHAVIOR IS INTERMITTENT AND TENDS TO EXHIBIT ITSELF ON HOT DAYS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING IDLE FOR LONG PERIODS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME TIGHT AND WOULD NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN THE CONTACT WAS FINALLY ABLE TO MANEUVER THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD ONLY MOVE IN ONE DIRECTION. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON AND WARM, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN, BUT WAS NON-REPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY, I ENCOUNTERED THAT THE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING BECAME STUCK SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS HIGH (<80 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT), ESPECIALLY DURING THE SUMMER SEASON. THIS REOCCURRING PROBLEM HAS CAUSED SEVERAL SITUATIONS THAT COULD HAVE LEAD TO POTENTIAL CRASHES.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO FIX A 2004 BMW Z4 THAT HAS NOTCHY/STICKY STEERING THE CAR HAS 23000 MILES ON IT APPEARS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN FOR 15-20 MILES (IS TEMP A PROBLEM) AND WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON AND COSTLY IN THE $3500-4000 RANGE THE STEERING COLUMN HAS TO BE REPLACED THE CAR WAS PURCHASED AT BMW OF CHATTANOOGA TENN IN APRIL OF 2010 NOW I BELIEVE THE CAR WAS SOLD TO ME WITH THE STEERING PROBLEM IT COULD EASY CAUSE A HEAD ON CRASH OR YOU ASKED THIS BMW QUESTION ON 6/24/2011 FOR $18. *TR

THE POWER STEERING BECOMES "STICKY" IN WARM WEATHER. THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING IN COOL WEATHER. I KEEP THE CAR IN COVERED PARKING AT MOST TIMES MAKING THE STEERING ONLY SLIGHTLY STICKY ALTHOUGH ENOUGH TO MAKE FREEWAY DRIVING A CONSTANT STATE OF OVER-CORRECTION TO KEEP THE CAR IN A LANE. ON ONE OCCASION I LEFT THE CAR PARKED IN FULL SUNSHINE ON A 100 DEGREE DAY AND THE POWER STEERING DID NOT WORK AT ALL AT HIGHWAY SPEED MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

MY 2004 BMW Z4 EXPERIENCES STEERING PROBLEMS WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY AND DIFFICULT TO MANAGE. IT RETURNS TO NORMAL AFTER IT SITS INT HE SHADE. IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. ALTHOUGH I AM REPORTING THIS TODAY IT HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON FOR OVER A YEAR. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 2009 AND DO NOT DRIVE IT VERY MUCH-5,000 MILES SINCE PURCHASING IT. WOULD DRIVE MORE IF STEERING WAS NOT AN ISSUE. *TR

1. STEERING STICKS WHEN THE TEMP. IS AROUND 80 DEGREES. 2. THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STICKING OR SLIGHTLY LOCKED AND REQUIRES EXTRA FORCE TO CORRECT, WHICH SENDS THE CAR OFF COURSE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN IN WARMER TEMPS AND HIGHER SPEEDS. 3. NOTHING HAS YET TO BE DONE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE IT. THIS SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A NO BRAINER TO HAVE A RECALL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO HAVE YOUR WHEEL LOCK ON YOU WHEN YOU'RE TRAVELING 55MPH. *TR

ON MY 2004 BMW Z4 3.0I, ON HOT DAYS MY STEERING WANTS TO STICK AND I HAVE TO USE MUCH MORE FORCE THAN I USUALLY HAVE TO MAKE THE STEERING MOVE. IN THE WINTER I TEND TO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS MUCH, BUT IN THE SUMMER (I LIVE IN TEXAS) IT GETS VERY HOT AND THE STEERING WANTS TO STICK MORE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED!! THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER Z4 DRIVERS THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM AS ME. *TR

STEERING BECOMES UNSAFE IN HOT WEATHER, STEERING WILL NOT CENTER, AND CAR IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL, WHEN YOU TURN RIGHT OR LEFT STEERING WILL STICK AND CAUSE YOU TO OVER STEER, AND CAUSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

2004 BMW Z4. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON WARM DAYS WILL BECOME CHUNKY OR NOTCHY IN FEELING AND REQUIRES EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS CAN CAUSE MORE STEERING INPUT THAN IS REQUIRED AND WHEN THE STEERING CATCHES UP THE CAR CAN REACT MORE THAN INTENDED. VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED EVEN FOR MULTIPLE OWNER CARS. *TR

2004 BMW Z4. ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ON WARM DAYS WILL BECOME CHUNKY OR NOTCHY IN FEELING AND REQUIRES EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO STEER THE CAR. THIS CAN CAUSE MORE STEERING INPUT THAN IS REQUIRED AND WHEN THE STEERING CATCHES UP THE CAR CAN REACT MORE THAN INTENDED. VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED EVEN FOR MULTIPLE OWNER CARS. *TR

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I NOTICED THAT MY 2004 BMW Z4 LOST ITS OTHERWISE SMOOTH STEERING AFTER BEING PARKED IN THE SUN ON HOT DAYS. THE STEERING WOULD BECOME STICKY AND REQUIRED EXTRA AND INCONSISTENT EFFORT TO MAKE LOW-SPEED AS WELL HIGHER-SPEED TURNS. THIS OCCURRED MOST FREQUENTLY DURING THE INITIAL PART OF THE TURN RATHER THAN WELL INTO IT. THESE EVENTS WERE INFREQUENT AS I RARELY PARK OUT IN THE SUN, BUT VERY DISCONCERTING. WHEN I HAD THE CAR IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE TO THE DEALER I COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PHENOMENON BUT ALWAYS GOT THE ?CAN?T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM? AND ?IT?S NORMAL? RESPONSE. THIS SPRING, HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD THE ?STICKY? PROBLEM ON SEVERAL OF THE HOTTER DAYS EVEN THOUGH I PARK IN A GARAGE WHICH HAS ME VERY CONCERNED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE. INTERNET RESEARCH HAS REVEALED THAT NHTSA HAS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE AND VARIOUS...

STICKY STEERING PROBLEM MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. *TR

I HAVE AN '04 BMW Z4 AND AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. I'VE BEEN READING ONLINE THAT MANY OTHER Z4 OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT I AM WHICH INCLUDE; DIFFICULTY KEEPING THE WHEEL STRAIGHT, HAVING TO USE A LOT OF FORCE TO MAKE STEERING ADJUSTMENTS, AND CONSTANT PULLING TO THE RIGHT/LEFT WHILE DRIVING. THESE PROBLEMS OCCUR EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE. I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO SAID THE PROBLEM WAS PRETTY BAD. I AM WAITING TO HEAR HIS EXACT DIAGNOSIS AND SHOULD HEAR FROM HIM ON MONDAY 5/23/11 AS I DROPPED IT OFF FRI 5/20/11. I HAVE NOT WRECKED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS HOWEVER I HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS. FORTUNATELY I AM A VERY ATTENTIVE DRIVER OTHERWISE THERE MAY VERY WELL BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

BMW Z4 2004 VEHICLE EXHIBITS STICKY AND NOTCHY STEERING AT HIGH (85 OR 90DEG F +) OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE. STEERING BECOMES EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS. THE ISSUE ONLY EFFECTS OWNERS IN LOCATIONS WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES AND DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND THEREFORE THE OCCURRENCE OF THE ISSUE IS INTERMITTENT AND DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BECOME A RECALL AS IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION EVEN IF IT IS ONLY HAPPENING TO A MINORITY OF Z4 OWNERS. *TR

PUSHED BRAKES HARD FOR A NEAR EMERGENCY STOP AND THE VEHICLE CAREENED TO THE RIGHT AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY INSTANCES OF ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ITSELF OFF THE ROAD, THE TERMINOLOGY FOR GROUPS WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR IS "TRAMLINING". I THOUGHT IT ODD THAT SO MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT A TERM WOULD BE APPLIED TO THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED HE WOULD HAVE DIFFICULTY STEERING THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND SLOWLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED MORE OFTEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS BEING OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,878. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF UPDATED 01/24/2012 *LN *TR

BEGINNING EARLY IN 2010, WE BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE STEERING, PARTICULARLY AT SPEED, WAS 'STICKY'; EG, IT WOULD TAKE MORE FORCE TO TURN THE WHEEL AND THEN IT WOULD BREAK FREE OF THE STICKY AND TURN. IT BEHAVES AS THOUGH IT STICKS WHEN THE WHEEL ISN'T BEING TURNED, BUT THEN MOVES FREELY ONCE IT TURNS. THE RESULT IS ERRATIC STEERING, PARTICULARLY IN A HIGHWAY SITUATION WHERE SMALL CORRECTIONS ARE NEEDED. IN TRAFFIC, ON A MULTILANE HIGHWAY, THIS BEHAVIOR CAUSES THE CAR TO BE HARD TO KEEP SMOOTHLY IN LANE; THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE RUMBLE STRIP WAS ENCOUNTERED DUE TO OVERCORRECTING THE STEERING. WARMER TEMPERATURES TEND TO MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE. I HAVE READ ON NUMEROUS BMW FORUMS OF OTHERS HAVING VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS WITH THIS VINTAGE OF Z4; APPARENTLY THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO REPLACE A $2500 STEERING UNIT IF THE DEALER CAN BE CONVINCED...