IllustrationSTEERING JERKS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET OR ON HI WAY.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR BMW (4180 WASHINGTON RD, EVANS, GA 30809, (706) 868-6400) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TAYLOR BMW (4180 WASHINGTON RD, EVANS, GA 30809, (706) 868-6400) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 15 YEARS WITH UNLIMITED MILEAGE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER BACK AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND THE CONTACT REFUSED. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THE CONTACT NEVER HEARD BACK FROM THE DEALER. ON APRIL 26, 2019, THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO GET AN UPDATE AND WAS INFORMED THAT HE WOULD BE CALLED BACK. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RETURN CALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED DEALER IS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB
ON WARM DAYS THE STEERING AT HIGHER SPEED GETS HARD TO STEER ; TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSTEADY. AT LOWER SPEEDS AND COOLER TEMPS THE HARD STEERING CAN BS HANDLED BUT IS STILL TROUBLESOME. NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO BMW.
2003 BMW Z4 STEERING I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, MORE SO AT HIGHER SPEEDS, AROUND 60MPH AND ABOVE.THE JERKS ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN BE EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. IT MAKES THE CAR REALLY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN AT THESE HIGHER SPEEDS! I BELIEVE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED…
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2003 BMW Z4 STEERING I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, MORE SO AT HIGHER SPEEDS, AROUND 60MPH AND ABOVE.THE JERKS ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND CAN BE EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. IT MAKES THE CAR REALLY UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN AT THESE HIGHER SPEEDS! I BELIEVE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED TO CORRECT IT! FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IT REQUIRES A COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT AND IS VERY COSTLY. BMW SHOULD STEP UP AND COVER THIS VERY DANGEROUS STEERING SITUATION.
I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS TO THE LEFT, OT TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE ROAD SURFACE IS SLEGHTINGLY UNEVEN. I CAN NEVER PREDICT WHICH WAY THE CAR PULLS ME. I STRUGGLE A LOT TO KEEP THE STEERING CENTERED WHEN STOPPING AT ANY RED LIGHT. ALSO MAKE A WEIRD SOUND WHEN A TRY TO TURN RIGHT
STICKY STEERING WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED AS CAUSED BY A POORLY DESIGNED BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR $3500. A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEED. POWER ASSIST IS ELECTRICAL ON STEERING.
CAR IS HARD TO STEER WHEN DRIVING AND BMW KNOWS THIS ISSUE, CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE
STEERING GETS STICK AND ITS HARD TO TURN WHILE DRIVING
STICKY 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
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.