IllustrationSTICKY STEERING COLUMN DURING HOT WEATHER ON A 2003 BMW Z4 2.5I. *TR
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 reportsWHEN MY 2003 BMW Z4 IS LEFT OUT IN THE SUN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, IT IS VERY HARD TO DRIVE AND ALMOST NON-RESPONSIVE. ADDITIONALLY AT TIMES THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL (AND THE SHUTOFF OF OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE CAR). THIS TYPICALLY IS O…
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WHEN MY 2003 BMW Z4 IS LEFT OUT IN THE SUN DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, IT IS VERY HARD TO DRIVE AND ALMOST NON-RESPONSIVE. ADDITIONALLY AT TIMES THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING INDICATOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL (AND THE SHUTOFF OF OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE CAR). THIS TYPICALLY IS ONLY FOR A FEW SECONDS, HOWEVER THAT CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *TR
2003 BMW Z4 - STICKY STEERING IN HOT WEATHER. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM. THE STEERING SEEMS TO MOMENTARILY SEIZE ... VERY SCARY! NO ACTUAL ACCIDENT YET, BUT ONLY A MATTER OF TIME! *TR
IN HOT WEATHER THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES HARDER TO TURN SEEMS TO STICK AT TIMES. 2003 Z4 3.0I IT HAS BEEN THIS WAY AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. BMW REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW THE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. *TR
STEERING PROBLEM THAT STEERING DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER. CONSTANT PROBLEM AND SEEMS WORSE IN HOT WEATHER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC STEERING WHEEL WAS RESISTANT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN IT WAS EXTREMELY WARM OUTSIDE. BMW WAS NOT NOTIFIED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE APPROXIMATELY 27,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING EXCESSIVELY. IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 10/20/10 *BF UPDATED 10/22/10
THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE STICKS ON HOT DAYS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN LEFT OUT IN THE SUN. THIS MAKES IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN A STRAIGHT LINE ON THE HIGHWAY, AS THE STEERING EFFORT BECOME TOO HIGH. IT WAS THE WORST I'VE EXPERIENCED TODAY, AS THE TEMPERATURE IN NEW ENGLAND REACHED 102 DEGREES F. *TR
STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK & WHEN IT WOULD FINALLY MOVE IT WOULD OVER CORRECT. NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT IT WAS VERY SCARY. *TR
MY 2003 BMW Z4 HAS A MAJOR STEERING PROBLEM. THERE IS NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF AND NON-RESPONSIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ITS LIKE DRIVING A CAR WITH A POWER STEERING PUMP THAT IS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE ON HOT DAYS OR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A LOT. I TOOK IT TO …
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MY 2003 BMW Z4 HAS A MAJOR STEERING PROBLEM. THERE IS NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN AREA AND THE STEERING BECOMES VERY STIFF AND NON-RESPONSIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. ITS LIKE DRIVING A CAR WITH A POWER STEERING PUMP THAT IS ABOUT TO FAIL. THE PROBLEM IS MUCH WORSE ON HOT DAYS OR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A LOT. I TOOK IT TO THE ONLY BMW DEALERSHIP AROUND HERE IN INDIANAPOLIS. THEY TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM IN THE SHOP BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE A DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN. THE COST ON A NEW COLUMN IS $3500 PLUS MANY MAN-HOURS OF LABOR CHARGES TO INSTALL IT! I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH Z4S. SO, HERE I SIT WITH A $13,000 CAR THAT I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE MORE THAN A FEW MILES FROM HOME BECAUSE THE STEERING IS SO TIGHT/QUESTIONABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND BMW SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL THIS ISSUE! *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.