Illustration2003 BMW Z4 WITH POWER STEERING FAILURE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS GOING OUT INTERMITTENTLY BUT THE DEALER DID NOT SEE ANY PROBLEM. NOW THE POWER STEERING ONLY WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. *KB
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 reportsBMW Z4 ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
STEERING LOCKS, RESIST, JERKS, AND STIFFENS UP ON HOT DAYS. THIS DAY MY STEERING ALMOST COMPLETELY LOCKED WHILE CHANGING LANES ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ACROSS TWO EXTRA LANES BEFORE IT LET GO. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER. AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON DRY ASPHALT ROADS, A VIBRATION WAS HEARD IN THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE, THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE SIDE OF THE TIRE CLOSEST TO THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE RUBBED AGAINST…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH ON DRY ASPHALT ROADS, A VIBRATION WAS HEARD IN THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE, THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE SIDE OF THE TIRE CLOSEST TO THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE RUBBED AGAINST THE SHOCK ABSORBER, AND THE CORDS WERE VISIBLE WHERE THE TREAD MET THE SIDEWALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.
DURING HOT WEATHER (90 DEGREES AND ABOVE) THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY A STICKY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCURATELY STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE FACTORY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT DETERMINED A SOLUTION EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR OVER A YEAR. I DON'T FEEL THAT THE CAR IS ENTIRELY SA…
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DURING HOT WEATHER (90 DEGREES AND ABOVE) THE STEERING BECOMES VERY HEAVY A STICKY MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ACCURATELY STEER THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE FACTORY IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT DETERMINED A SOLUTION EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR OVER A YEAR. I DON'T FEEL THAT THE CAR IS ENTIRELY SAFE TO OPERATE WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS AND THE DEALER A FACTORY HAVE BEEN NON RESPONSIVE IN CORRECTING IT. *JB
THE STEERING IS "STICKY" WHEN DRIVING WITH INTERIOR HEATER ON FULL/HOT. IF CAR INTERIOR TEMPS COOL DOWN THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY. I HAVE TO OVER STEER TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE IN THE DIRECTION I WANT AND THIS CAUSES A SAFETY CONCERN AS THE CAR WILL MOVE TOO FAR IN THAT DIRECTION. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN TO BMW AND OTHER OWNERS. *JB
AUTO WAS EXHIBITING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN APPROACHING A FULL LOCK POSITION. DEALER UPON SECOND COMPLAINT REPLACED THE "LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT ASSEMBLY PART # 32-30-6-769-265". AFTER THE PARTS REPLACEMENT THE STEERING OF THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTICEABLY IMPAIRED AND EXHIBITS STEERING THAT IS VERY VAGUE AND EXHIBITS A LOOSENESS …
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AUTO WAS EXHIBITING A KNOCKING SOUND WHEN APPROACHING A FULL LOCK POSITION. DEALER UPON SECOND COMPLAINT REPLACED THE "LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT ASSEMBLY PART # 32-30-6-769-265". AFTER THE PARTS REPLACEMENT THE STEERING OF THE CAR HAS BEEN NOTICEABLY IMPAIRED AND EXHIBITS STEERING THAT IS VERY VAGUE AND EXHIBITS A LOOSENESS ON ROUGH ROADS OR DURING SHARP TURNS SUCH AS PARKING OR A U-TURN. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THERE ARE APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL BULLETINS BUT CHOSE NOT TO RELEASE INFORMATION IN THEM. *JB CAR IS PARKED AWAITING BMW REGIONAL TECHNICAL SERVICE INSPECTION. *JB
2003 BMW Z-8. A NUMBER OF OWNERS HAVE REPORTED DAMAGE TO THE ALUMINUM FRAME AT THE SHOCK TOWERS. AS THIS AFFECTS THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM THIS DAMAGE. BMW HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE AND IS NOT RESPONDING WITH A FIX NOR IS IT NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THIS CONDIT…
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2003 BMW Z-8. A NUMBER OF OWNERS HAVE REPORTED DAMAGE TO THE ALUMINUM FRAME AT THE SHOCK TOWERS. AS THIS AFFECTS THE SUSPENSION AND STEERING THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS RESULTING FROM THIS DAMAGE. BMW HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR A WHILE AND IS NOT RESPONDING WITH A FIX NOR IS IT NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THIS CONDITION. I BELIEVE BMW HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH OTHER MODELS. NOTE THAT THE Z8 MODEL IS NOT LISTED IN YOUR DATABASE SO I CHOSE Z4 FROM THE PULL DOWN LIST. *NM
THERE IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SHOCK TOWER SUPPORTS AND FRONT CHASSIS ASSEMBLY ON THE BMW Z8. IT IS PRONE TO DEFORMATION OF THE SHOCK TOWERS AND FLEXING OF THE FRONT CHASSIS ASSEMBLY, LEADING TO STEERING PROBLEMS AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN BY BMW AG IN GERMANY SINCE AT LEAST NOVEMBER 200…
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THERE IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SHOCK TOWER SUPPORTS AND FRONT CHASSIS ASSEMBLY ON THE BMW Z8. IT IS PRONE TO DEFORMATION OF THE SHOCK TOWERS AND FLEXING OF THE FRONT CHASSIS ASSEMBLY, LEADING TO STEERING PROBLEMS AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN BY BMW AG IN GERMANY SINCE AT LEAST NOVEMBER 2005, BUT AS OF TODAY, THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM BMW AG OR BMW IN THE USA TO THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FRAME / CHASSIS OF THE BMW Z8 IS MADE OF ALUMINUM, AND AS SUCH, CAN UNDERGO A GREATER DEGREE OF FATIGUE. FAILURE SHOULD THERE BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN, MATERIALS OR BOTH. THIS DEFECT COULD LEAD OR HAS ALREADY LEAD TO THE FRONT STRUT / SHOCK TOWER ASSEMBLY DEFORMING AT ITS ATTACHMENT POINTS, AND WILL OR COULD LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE ATTACHMENT, CAUSING A SERIOUS OR FATAL ACCIDENT. THUS FAR, BMW HAS NOT RESPONDED TO COMPLAINTS. THIS WAS A LIMITED PRODUCTION LUXURY SPORTS CAR OF WHICH 5,550 WERE PRODUCED AND ABOUT 2,550 WERE SOLD HERE IN THE USA. BASED ON PRELIMINARY DATA FROM OUR ON-LINE CLUB MEMBERSHIP IT APPEARED THAT AT LEAST 1 IN 3 VEHICLES WERE AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW IS WHETHER THE VEHICLE IS OR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE? BMW IS SILENT AS FAR AS THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE CONSIDERED, AND WE NEED HELP TO INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN.*AK
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.