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 reports
95,000 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Steering
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY CAR STICKS AND DOES NOT RETURN WHEN I TURN A CORNER. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I AM GOING STRAIGHT AND TRY TO CORRECT A LITTLE BIT. IF I WERE TO TURN THE WHEEL A COUPLE OF DEGREES AND LET GO OF THE WHEEL THE CAR WOULD GO RIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR GO OFF THE ROAD. WARMER TEMPERATURES SEEM TO MAKE THE PR…
Read full complaint
THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY CAR STICKS AND DOES NOT RETURN WHEN I TURN A CORNER. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I AM GOING STRAIGHT AND TRY TO CORRECT A LITTLE BIT. IF I WERE TO TURN THE WHEEL A COUPLE OF DEGREES AND LET GO OF THE WHEEL THE CAR WOULD GO RIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR GO OFF THE ROAD. WARMER TEMPERATURES SEEM TO MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404257
48,211 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Steering
2003 BMW Z4 ERRATIC STEERING WHEN DRIVING. THE STEERING CONTROL FLUCTUATES BETWEEN EASY AND MORE DIFFICULT IN REQUIRED EFFORT TO MOVE WHEEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404160
45,300 miles · May 30, 2011
Steering
DRIVING MY 2003 BMW Z4 ON A WARM DAY AND THE STEERING LOCKED UP LIKE IT WAS STICKY. ALMOST HIT SOMEONE IT OCCURS ON ANY WARM TEMP DAYS AND ANY SPEED I PAID TO HAVE THE SOFTWARE UPDATED AND IT DIDN'T HELP. MY BMW REPAIR SHOP THINKS IT THE STEERING COLUMN. HAS HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403741
38,000 miles · May 26, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COOL OFF BEFORE THE STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS UT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STIFF AND LOCKED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO COOL OFF BEFORE THE STEERING WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS UT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402796
70,415 miles · May 14, 2011
Steering
STICKY STEERING AND DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING STEERING WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THESE CONDITIONS OCCUR IE. AFTERNOON COMMUTE. THE FEELING IS UNNERVING MAKES YOU AFRAID YOU WILL HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IF YOU DO NOT FIGHT BACK AGAINST THE WHEEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400845
Mileage unknown · May 11, 2011
Steering
STEERING BECOMES STICKY OR UNRESPONSIVE WHILE DRIVING. THIS ESPECIALLY OCCURS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE HOT (+75' F). WHEN THE CONDITION OCCURS EXTRA EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10401588
9,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Steering
POWER STEERING ON 2003 BMW Z4 3.01I IS "TWITCHY" / NON-RESPONSIVE AT CENTER POINT CAUSING HANDLING PROBLEMS FOR THE CAR. THIS NON-RESPONSIVE POWER STEERING ON 2003 BMW Z4 CONTRIBUTED TO A FAILURE TO STEER AROUND ROAD DEBRIS WHICH DAMAGED THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399941
56,370 miles · May 4, 2011
Steering
THE STEERING BINDS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE MINOR CORRECTIONS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON COURSE AND REQUIRING EXTRA EFFORT TO INITIATE A TURN. WHEN THE "BIND" RELEASES, OVER-CORRECTION OCCURS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, AND BEING A RATHER PETITE WOMAN, THE PROBLEM POSE AN INCREASED SAFETY HAZARD FO…
Read full complaint
THE STEERING BINDS MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE MINOR CORRECTIONS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE ON COURSE AND REQUIRING EXTRA EFFORT TO INITIATE A TURN. WHEN THE "BIND" RELEASES, OVER-CORRECTION OCCURS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR, AND BEING A RATHER PETITE WOMAN, THE PROBLEM POSE AN INCREASED SAFETY HAZARD FOR HER. I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM IN AUGUST, 2010, WHILE ON A LONG HIGHWAY DRIVE. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN OVER THE WINTER. WHEN I TOOK IT OUT ON APRIL 27, 2011, IT WAS A VERY WARM DAY AND THE PROBLEM SEEMED WORSE THAN I REMEMBERED. AT ONE POINT I SWERVED INTO AN OPPOSITE LANE; FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #10399062
60,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Steering
POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. CAR BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER SAFELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398238
19,881 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Air BagsSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE NOR WAS A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY FOR APPROX…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE NOR WAS A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR. LATER, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME STUCK AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,881 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
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.
2003 BMW Z4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration