IllustrationWHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND TURNING INTO CURVES THE RETURN STEERING STICKS REQUIRING FORCE TO OVERCOME THE STICK. WHEN THE STICK IS OVERCOME IT CAUSES AN OVERSTEER CONDITION AND REQUIRES RAPID CORRECTION. THIS IS INTERMITTENT ALTHOUGH WITH A HIGH RATE OF OCCURENCE.
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
What owners actually said
414 reportsTHE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. IT OPERATES THE GLOVE BOX, PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOORS AS WELL AS GAS CAP DOOR. IT DOES NOT RESPOND PROPERLY TO FOB OR BY KEY. AT TIMES ALL LOCKS ARE FROZEN TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOT OPEN TO GET IN OR GAS. RIGHT NOW PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEEN LOCKED FOR 30+ DAYS. CANNOT OPEN A…
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THE CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK CORRECTLY. IT OPERATES THE GLOVE BOX, PASSENGER AND DRIVER DOORS AS WELL AS GAS CAP DOOR. IT DOES NOT RESPOND PROPERLY TO FOB OR BY KEY. AT TIMES ALL LOCKS ARE FROZEN TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN NOT OPEN TO GET IN OR GAS. RIGHT NOW PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEEN LOCKED FOR 30+ DAYS. CANNOT OPEN AT ALL. TOOK TO A MECHANIC WHO ORDERED A NEW ACTUATER FROM BMW DEALER, FIRST ONE DID NOT WORK. SECOND ONE INSTALLED AND THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED. ($240.00). MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT SOMETHING IS BURNING AND I MUST TAKE TO DEALERSHIP. I CAN SMELL THE BURNING AND I AM AFRAID AND WILL NOT DRIVE. LOOKED UP ON INTERNET, THERE ARE 100S OF CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 71,000 MILES ON IT.
STEERING WHEEL ROTATION INHIBITED, WOULD NOT TURN SMOOTHLY, EXTRA FORCE NEEDED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION, VERY HEAVY CENTER DETENT. CAR SWERVES VIOLENTLY WHEN EXTRA FORCE ON WHEEL IS USED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. UNABLE TO MAKE COMMON MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, RESULTANT OVERSTEERING CA…
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STEERING WHEEL ROTATION INHIBITED, WOULD NOT TURN SMOOTHLY, EXTRA FORCE NEEDED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION, VERY HEAVY CENTER DETENT. CAR SWERVES VIOLENTLY WHEN EXTRA FORCE ON WHEEL IS USED TO OVERCOME RESISTANCE IN STEERING WHEEL ROTATION. UNABLE TO MAKE COMMON MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, RESULTANT OVERSTEERING CAUSES ERRATIC MOVEMENTS. CAR NEARLY GONE OFF ROAD SEVERAL TIMES. HEAT RELATED. HAPPENS WHEN CAR CABIN TEMPERATURE ELEVATED BY SUNSHINE OR EXTENDED DRIVES/USE. >=2.5HRS. CAR IS UNSAFE. BMW ACKNOWLEDGES CAUSE RELATED TO STEERING COLUMN/GEARS BUT REFUSES TO RECALL/FIX. PLEASE HELP BEFORE MORE ARE KILLED.
THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN OCTOBER OF 2005. I REPORTED TO DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS SINCE THEN, THAT THE STEERING STICKS WHEN CAR IS HOT OR ON A HOT DAY AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. THEY ALL INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER INSPECTION. THIS CONTINUES TO PLAGUE MY V…
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THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN OCTOBER OF 2005. I REPORTED TO DEALER AND SEVERAL MECHANICS SINCE THEN, THAT THE STEERING STICKS WHEN CAR IS HOT OR ON A HOT DAY AFTER DRIVING A SHORT DISTANCE. THEY ALL INDICATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER INSPECTION. THIS CONTINUES TO PLAGUE MY VEHICLE AND CAUSES ME TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER WRAPS ON HOT DAYS (WHICH IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IN FLORIDA) BECAUSE IF I START TO ADJUST STEERING AS I DRIVE, THE WHEEL APPEARS TO LOCK AND CONTINUE IN THAT DIRECTION. I HAVE TO FORCE IT TO KEEP IT STRAIGHT. IT'S A NUISANCE AND A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIXED WHEN I INITIALLY REPORTED THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S CLEAR THAT BMW IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. SHAME ON THEM. I HAVE OWNED 4 BMW'S AND THE Z4 IS THE ONLY ONE WITH THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE. I LOVE THE VEHICLES BUT AM SADDENED THAT I CAN'T TAKE MY Z OUT FOR A NICE SUMMER DRIVE FOR FEAR OF GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ISSUES ONCE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING AWHILE. THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS, NOISES, OR WARNING LIGHTS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ISSUES ONCE THE ENGINE HAD BEEN RUNNING AWHILE. THE STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LEAKS, NOISES, OR WARNING LIGHTS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. MA 10/14 UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN
ON HOT DAYS(>75 F) THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY. I FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THE CAR WILL LOCK ON ME. REPLACING THE ENTIRE COLUMN IS BIT TOO EXPENSIVE SO I LIMIT MY DRIVING TO COLDER DAYS ONLY, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE CONVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE MANY OWNERS OF 2003 BMW Z4 HAVE…
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ON HOT DAYS(>75 F) THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY. I FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THE CAR WILL LOCK ON ME. REPLACING THE ENTIRE COLUMN IS BIT TOO EXPENSIVE SO I LIMIT MY DRIVING TO COLDER DAYS ONLY, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHEN YOU HAVE CONVERTIBLE. IT SEEMS LIKE MANY OWNERS OF 2003 BMW Z4 HAVE SIMILAR ISSUE. I'VE BEEN HOPING FOR YEARS THAT BMW WILL HAVE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS SUCH A NICE CAR, AND AT THE SAME TIME HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT IF IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE AND LACK OF RESPONSE FROM THE BMW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
ON WARM DAYS THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE STICKY. ITS NOT A FLUID AS IT IS WHEN CAR IS IN COOLER WEATHER. AFTER SOME RESEARCH THERE APPEARS TO BE MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH 2003-2005 MODEL BMW Z4 WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. AFTER MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS WAS NEVER RECALLED.
POWER STEERING DISENGAGED WHILE DRIVING WITH EPS LIGHT ILLUMINATING.
THE SEAT BELT NO LONGER LOCKS, THE SEAT BELT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THE TENSION HAS NOT BEEN GREAT. BUT THE SEAT BELT HAS FAILED. *TR
STEERING 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
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.