10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,011 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 BMW Z4 steering problems

steering problem

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2003 BMW Z4 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #284

Aug 012017

Z4

  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. When the outside temperature was above 80 degrees, the steering wheel seized on several occasions. When the failure occurred, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The dealer (the BMW store, 6131 stewart rd, cincinnati, oh 45227, (513) 271-8700) was contacted and an appointment was scheduled for diagnostic testing and repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

- Batavia, OH, USA

problem #283

Jun 152017

Z4

  • 21,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. While driving at any speed in hot weather, approximately 85 degrees and over, the steering wheel failed to turn. When it finally turned, it jerked without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to luxury imports of bowling green (325 three springs rd, bowling green, ky 42104, 270-745-0001) where it was diagnosed that a new battery was needed for the electric steering. The technician replaced the battery, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.

- Owensboro, KY, USA

problem #282

May 242018

Z4

  • 33,000 miles
Steering wheel is very stiff and jerky and does not want to return to center. Making it difficult to control the vehicle. This only happens on hot days above 80 F, especially if the car is parked in the sun for a few hours.

- Whitewater, WI, USA

problem #281

May 122018

Z4

  • 107,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have owned this car since 2003. When the weather warms up, the steering gets stiff and jerky. This car has quick steering and making it jerky increases the risk of running into something or somebody. I have always known this to be a problem and mentioned it to the dealer when the car was under warranty with no help. As the years have gone by, the problem has gotten worse. We had a warm day over the weekend and I took the car to work. When leaving, the car felt downright dangerous during the first few miles of driving on a warm day, the steering wheel feels stiff like the power steering isn't working. When you apply more steering force, the steering suddenly jerks quickly and you feel like you are out of control with the car, you oversteer.

- Fox Island, WA, USA

problem #280

Apr 232018

Z4

  • miles
Since owning the car in Florida I notice that the steering will get sticky when left I the sun on hot days.with out using a sun shield in the wind screen. I took it in several times and the dealer said they could not find a problem now a steering light came on and they are telling me that it needs a column costing $5000.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #279

May 042018

Z4

  • 70,000 miles
When turning at low speeds, like into parking spots, the steering will lock up, cut power to head lights, radio. This is intermittent. First started at 70K miles, now at 90K miles the steering column is pretty much dead. Also after these hiccups happen my car wont turn over when I try to start it up. I wait a couple minutes and it'll start up then. Stay away from this car or any early model BMW with electric power steering. BMW also doesn't want to own up to their lack of engineering and recall this total pile of crap...tisk..tisk.

- Belmont, CA, USA

problem #278

Oct 302007

Z4

  • 8,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Sticky steering when the car is warm or ambient temperature is greater than about 75 or 80F. As the temperature increases, the car is more difficult to steer smoothly. It experience a stick/slip behavior which causes continual over corrections. This has been a known issue for years. I have noticed the steering issue since buying it second hand in 2007. BMW dealership says the only way to fix it is to replace the entire steering column at my expense. I won't let anyone drive the car in warm weather.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #277

Jan 252018

Z4

  • 52,000 miles
Vehicle stalls when attempting to move from a stopped position. Stalls at or in trying to move through intersections

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #276

Nov 082017

Z4

  • miles
Takata recall as I was driving back home on highway the steering was stiff or hard, it makes it hard to steer to different road or a exit but when im diving on low speed uber 20mph it see like no problems. This is really dangerous for me and my family and I see many, many people also have thee same problem.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #275

Nov 052017

Z4

  • 17,000 miles
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!!

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #274

Oct 152017

Z4

  • 37,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Stuarts Draft, VA, USA

problem #273

Aug 082017

Z4

  • 9,025 miles
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.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #272

Oct 152016

Z4

  • 46,570 miles
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.

- Hopkinsville, KY, USA

problem #271

Apr 192017

Z4

  • 64,000 miles
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.

- Daytona Beach Shores, FL, USA

problem #270

Jun 042006

Z4

  • 14,000 miles
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.

- Walton, NY, USA

problem #269

Jul 012016

Z4

  • 34,800 miles
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.

- Edgerton, WI, USA

problem #268

Oct 012012

Z4 6-cyl

  • 25,000 miles
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 the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified, but did not offer any assistance. Updated 08/29/2017

- Jonesboro, ME, USA

problem #267

Mar 012016

Z4

  • 58,000 miles
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.

- Bluffton, IN, USA

problem #266

Feb 132017

Z4

  • miles
Steering seems randomly unresponsive. You turn steering wheel an there is a lag. Feels like I dont always have control of my car.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #265

Nov 142016

Z4

  • 97,000 miles
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.

- Fairfield, CA, USA

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