THE VEHICLE IS USUALLY KEPT IN THE GARAGE. AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN IN TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 85 DEGREES, THE CAR STEERING WAS HARD TO OPERATE. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING WAS MANUAL -- HARD TO TURN ON A CURVE AND HARD TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR SITS OUTSIDE IN HOT WEATHER. I HAVE NOT HAD …
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THE VEHICLE IS USUALLY KEPT IN THE GARAGE. AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN IN TEMPERATURES EXCEEDING 85 DEGREES, THE CAR STEERING WAS HARD TO OPERATE. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE STEERING WAS MANUAL -- HARD TO TURN ON A CURVE AND HARD TO TURN LEFT AND RIGHT. THIS ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR SITS OUTSIDE IN HOT WEATHER. I HAVE NOT HAD THE PROBLEM CHECKED BY MY MECHANIC. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419664
56,230 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Steering
[XXX] 2003 BMW Z4 3.0I. THE PUMP FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY , COMPLETE LOSS OF THE POWER STEERING, NO PREVIOUS SIGN OF MALFUNCTION THE CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416867
30,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Steering
DIFFICULTY STEERING THE CAR WHEN THE STEERING STICKS. THE WARMER THE TEMPERATURE, THE STEERING FEELS STUCK AND WITH THE LEAST MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT LOSES CONTROL. IT IS FINE IN THE MORNING AND WHEN IT IS COOL BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 80, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. NO…
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DIFFICULTY STEERING THE CAR WHEN THE STEERING STICKS. THE WARMER THE TEMPERATURE, THE STEERING FEELS STUCK AND WITH THE LEAST MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT LOSES CONTROL. IT IS FINE IN THE MORNING AND WHEN IT IS COOL BUT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS OVER 80, I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE STEERING. NO ACCIDENTS YET!!!!! IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AT LEAST A YEAR. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416793
94,181 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Steering
VEHICLE STEERING STICKS AROUND CENTER WHEN WEATHER IS HOT AND IS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHICH INCREASES THE DANGER FOR LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415127
22,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Steering
DURING WARMER WEATHER THE STEERING IS JERKY AND THE CAR DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT CAUSING THE CAR TO WANDER BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD. IF THE ROAD HAS A CROWN IT CAUSES THE CAR TO PULL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER SENDING IT TOWARD THE ONCOMMING TRAFFIC OCCASIONALLY. THE STEERING ALSO FEELS 'CENTER LOCKED' SO THAT AN AMOUNT OF FORC…
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DURING WARMER WEATHER THE STEERING IS JERKY AND THE CAR DOES NOT TRACK STRAIGHT CAUSING THE CAR TO WANDER BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROAD. IF THE ROAD HAS A CROWN IT CAUSES THE CAR TO PULL TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER SENDING IT TOWARD THE ONCOMMING TRAFFIC OCCASIONALLY. THE STEERING ALSO FEELS 'CENTER LOCKED' SO THAT AN AMOUNT OF FORCE GREATER THAN NORMAL IS REQUIRED TO CHANGE COURSE OF THE VEHICLE, THEN ONCE IT STARTS TURNING (SHOULD BE GRADUAL AS FOR COURSE CORRECTIONS), THE CAR LUNGES IN THE DIRECTION THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO GRADUALLY TAKE. AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS OCCURS IN WARMER WEATHER AND IS NOT AS NOTICIBLE IN COOLER WEATHER. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10414778
50,000 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Steering
THE STEERING ON MY 2003 BMW Z4 2.5L IS VERY STICKY. IT FEELS AS IF THERE IS PINE-TAR IN THE LINKAGE. I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO NOT OVER CORRECT OR ELSE RISK RUNNING OFF A BRIDGE OR INTO THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS. I ONLY DRIVE THIS CONVERTIBLE ON SUNNY DAYS, SO I COULDN'T SAY IF WEATHER HAS ANY AFFECT.…
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THE STEERING ON MY 2003 BMW Z4 2.5L IS VERY STICKY. IT FEELS AS IF THERE IS PINE-TAR IN THE LINKAGE. I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO NOT OVER CORRECT OR ELSE RISK RUNNING OFF A BRIDGE OR INTO THE CAR IN THE NEXT LANE. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS. I ONLY DRIVE THIS CONVERTIBLE ON SUNNY DAYS, SO I COULDN'T SAY IF WEATHER HAS ANY AFFECT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413666
33,900 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Steering
BMW Z4 ROADSTER, STEERING WHEEL PLAY AND STICKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10412253
25,000 miles · Jul 13, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETELY MAKE A TURN WHICH CAUSED HER TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE HOT WEATHER WAS A FACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BMW SPECIALIST WHO LOCATED THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETELY MAKE A TURN WHICH CAUSED HER TO SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE HOT WEATHER WAS A FACTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BMW SPECIALIST WHO LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #10412107
61,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Steering
BMW X4 2003 60,1000 MILES- ELECTRONIC POWER STERING IS STICKY- ERATIC - SAFETY CONCEN= HAD PROBLEM TO CONTROL HE CAR- ENVIRONMENTAL CONDICTIONS ARE VERY HOT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10412054
60,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Steering
THE STEERING IN THE 2003 BMW Z4 IS EXTREMELY NOTCHY, OR STICKY. THE ISSUE IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON WARMER DAYS, HOWEVER, IT IS NOT LIMITED TO ONLY HAPPENING IN WARM WEATHER. RECENTLY, THE STEERING HAS BECOME MUCH WORSE, ALMOST LOCKING IN PLACE WHILE TURNING. EVEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE MINOR CORRECTIONS IN STEERING DUE TO C…
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THE STEERING IN THE 2003 BMW Z4 IS EXTREMELY NOTCHY, OR STICKY. THE ISSUE IS CONSIDERABLY WORSE ON WARMER DAYS, HOWEVER, IT IS NOT LIMITED TO ONLY HAPPENING IN WARM WEATHER. RECENTLY, THE STEERING HAS BECOME MUCH WORSE, ALMOST LOCKING IN PLACE WHILE TURNING. EVEN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE MINOR CORRECTIONS IN STEERING DUE TO CURVES IN THE ROAD, THE WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND THEN JERK THE CAR VIOLENTLY WHEN IT DOES ALLOW THE CORRECTION TO BE MADE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ISSUE CAUSES A FATALITY. BMW HAS DENIED ANY ISSUE OR RECALL AND HAS REFUSED TO COMMENT REGARDING OTHERS' COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TT
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.
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.
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.
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
1
PE10020 · 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.
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