IllustrationSTEERING GETS STICK AND ITS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING
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 reportsSTICKY STEERING ISSUE. KNOWN ISSUE AMONG COUNTLESS OTHER BMW Z4 OWNERS. PRESENTS CONSIDERABLE DANGER AS STEERING WILL JERK EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND WITHOUT WARNING. UNBELIEVABLE THAT NO RECALL EXISTS FOR THIS KNOWN DEFECT AS IT CLEARLY PUTS DRIVERS AND THOSE AROUND THEM IN CONSTANT DANGER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 4 TO 40 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KELLY BMW (614-471-2277, LOCATED AT 4050 MORSE RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43230) AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 4 TO 40 MPH, THE STEERING LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KELLY BMW (614-471-2277, LOCATED AT 4050 MORSE RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43230) AND REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED DEALER AND MANUFACTURE MADE AWARE OF RECENT FAILURE. 01/03/19. DEALER MADE REPAIRS AT CONSUMERS COST 1/11/19. EPS STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. *JB
AT 3844 MILES IN DECEMBER 2017 I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR STANDARD SERVICE AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND I MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING AT TIMES WAS STICKING AND IT WOULD TAKE FORCE TO GET IT OUT OF THE LOCKED POSITION WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS OF SERIOUS CONCERN. THE BMW SERVICE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A STEERING …
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AT 3844 MILES IN DECEMBER 2017 I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE FOR STANDARD SERVICE AT THE BMW DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND I MENTIONED THAT THE STEERING AT TIMES WAS STICKING AND IT WOULD TAKE FORCE TO GET IT OUT OF THE LOCKED POSITION WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS OF SERIOUS CONCERN. THE BMW SERVICE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT $5,200. WITH ONLY 3,844 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW IT COULD HAPPEN. I AM FILING AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT AND BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE DEALER CHARGED ME $1,911.96 TO REPLACE SENSORS AND FAULTY STEERING ANGLE SENSOR. AFTER THE REPAIR THERE WAS NO DIFFERENCE WITH THE STICKING STEERING PROBLEM.
2003 BMW Z4 STEERING IS BINDING UP AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS THE TEMP INCREASES. NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS AND NO RECALL. WHY? BMW WILL DO NOTHING , NOT EVEN A COST REPLACEMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN WHICH SEEMS TO FIX THE ISSUE.
ON JULY 2018 BMW ISSUED AN IMPORTANT LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION NOTICE RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE. BMW WOULD COVER REPAIRS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY FOR THE SRS/AIR BAG SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY THIS WARRANTY REPAIR WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE 15 YEAR PERIOD DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE THAT WAS PUT INTO SERVIC…
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ON JULY 2018 BMW ISSUED AN IMPORTANT LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION NOTICE RELATED TO THIS VEHICLE. BMW WOULD COVER REPAIRS TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY FOR THE SRS/AIR BAG SYSTEM. UNFORTUNATELY THIS WARRANTY REPAIR WILL NOT COVER MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THE 15 YEAR PERIOD DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VEHICLE THAT WAS PUT INTO SERVICE IN JANUARY 2003. I BELIEVE THAT BMW SHOULD COVER ANY 2003 BMW Z4 RATHER THAN CUTTING OFF THOSE MADE IN THE PRIOR 6 MONTHS. BMW REFUSES TO COVER. THE OTHER CONCERN I HAVE RELATES TO THE SERVO MOTOR/ELECTRONIC STEERING CONTROL UNIT. RECENTLY THIS FAILED AND I NOTE THAT OTHER BMWS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. I BELIEVE YOUR AGENCY SHOULD DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THIS WARRANTS A RECALL TOO. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING AND THE POWER STEERING CEASES TO FUNCTION. PEOPLE WILL BE KILLED. IN MY CASE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. THE SHOP HAD NOTICED THE STEERING SEEMED TIGHT AND TOLD ME THE UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $4,000. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. I HAD THE BATTERY REPLACED AND THE STEERING IS BACK TO NORMAL. RESEARCH ON THE WEB INDICATED THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH NUMEROUS OTHER BMWS.
CAR SUFFERS FROM STICKY STEERING MAKING IS SO YOU FEEL LIKE YOUR INCAPABLE OF DOING SMOOTH LANE CHANGES.
SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN 2003, AND SINCE, THE STEERING GET VERY "TIGHT" OR "STICKY" MAKING THE CAR ALMOST UNDRIVABLE. IN HPOT WEATHER IF IS WORSE. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR AS IT REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT OR TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO STAY IN A LANE OR TURN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMMENTS ON …
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SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN 2003, AND SINCE, THE STEERING GET VERY "TIGHT" OR "STICKY" MAKING THE CAR ALMOST UNDRIVABLE. IN HPOT WEATHER IF IS WORSE. IT BECOMES VERY HARD TO STEER THE CAR AS IT REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT OR TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO STAY IN A LANE OR TURN. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMMENTS ON THE INTERNET AND BMW SITES WITH THIS KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE BMW Z4S.
THE STEERING STICKS AT WARM OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES AND CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS SAME AS MINE ONLINE. NO ACCIDENT YET.
THE STEERING WHEEL GETS STUCK WHILE DRIVING
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.