IllustrationPOWER STEERING DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING WITH EPS LIGHT ILLUMINATING.
2003 BMW Z4
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Z4 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
930–25K
10725–50K
9050–75K
4075–100K
22100–150K
3150K+
355 reports with mileage · 59 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Steering. Review the 342 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
Steering complaints
342 reportsSTEERING 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…
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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.…
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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 YEAR…
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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 AND THE MEDIUM BEARING ARE FINE. THE ISSUE IS YOU CAN'T FIND THIS BEARING ANYWHERE; DEALERS TELL YOU THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $3,000 TO $3,600. SHAME ON BMW! I JOIN THE OTHERS WHO HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS IN ASKING YOU TO PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
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 O…
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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
Official recalls
404V247000 · Air Bags
May 24, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, INCOMPATIBLE ELECTRONIC AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY NOT OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
04V182000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Apr 12, 2004
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 & remedy
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.
03V214000 · Tires
Jun 9, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TIRE HAS BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS TO THE RIM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, A LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, OR A TIRE FAILURE, COULD OCCUR. DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL UNSEAT THE TIRE FROM ITS RIM, INSPECT FOR ANY DAMAGE, AND THEN RESEAT THE TIRE TO ITS RIM. IF INSPECTION REVEALS THAT A FRONT TIRE HAS INCURRED DAMAGE DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
03V032000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
Feb 4, 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS. IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE10020 · Sticky Steering
Opened Jun 28, 2010 · Closed Jun 28, 2011
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering; Steering:column; Steering:electric Power Assist System
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Steering
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.
Steering:column
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.
Steering:electric Power Assist System
ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.