NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
14 reportsClear category filter145,000 miles · Jul 24, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper
REOCCURING ISSUE: -DOOR LOCKS NOT FUNCTIONING BY REMOTE OR CENTRAL BUTTON -WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING -TRUNK RELEASE NOT FUNCTIONING BY REMOTE OR BUTTON -WINDOWS NOT FUNCTIONING -LIGHTING OF INTERIOR NOT WORKING, TO INCLUDE GAUGE CLUSTER -TOP NOT FUNCTIONING ISSUES INTENSIFY ON DAYS OF LOW/HIGHER TEMPERATURES. SEEMS TO RE…
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REOCCURING ISSUE: -DOOR LOCKS NOT FUNCTIONING BY REMOTE OR CENTRAL BUTTON -WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING -TRUNK RELEASE NOT FUNCTIONING BY REMOTE OR BUTTON -WINDOWS NOT FUNCTIONING -LIGHTING OF INTERIOR NOT WORKING, TO INCLUDE GAUGE CLUSTER -TOP NOT FUNCTIONING ISSUES INTENSIFY ON DAYS OF LOW/HIGHER TEMPERATURES. SEEMS TO RESET BY DISCONNECTING BATTERY AND RECONNECTING AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. ISSUES POINTS TO GM5 MODULE BEING FAULTY/FAILING THIS IS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL YOU START THE CAR, SEEMS TO BE A RANDOM OCCURRENCE, BUT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY. SOMETIMES IT IS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.
NHTSA ODI #11341390
64,043 miles · May 7, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
I HAD THIS CAR BUILT AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER AND DRIVER. I HAVE HAD A PERSONAL MECHANIC TAKE METICULOUS CARE OF IT OVER THE YEARS AND THE CAR IS STORED FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS/YEAR BECAUSE I DO NOT DRIVE IT IN THE SNOW, AND FRANKLY, HARDLY DRIVE IT EVEN WHEN RAINING. HOWEVER, IT NEVER FAILS THAT EACH YEAR SOME WARNING LIGHT G…
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I HAD THIS CAR BUILT AND I AM THE ONLY OWNER AND DRIVER. I HAVE HAD A PERSONAL MECHANIC TAKE METICULOUS CARE OF IT OVER THE YEARS AND THE CAR IS STORED FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS/YEAR BECAUSE I DO NOT DRIVE IT IN THE SNOW, AND FRANKLY, HARDLY DRIVE IT EVEN WHEN RAINING. HOWEVER, IT NEVER FAILS THAT EACH YEAR SOME WARNING LIGHT GOES ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LAST FALL IT WAS THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. MY MECHANIC PUT THE CAR ON THE COMPUTER, AND FOUND NO ISSUES. NOW AGAIN, THIS SPRING IT STARTED OUT AS NOT BEING ON, BUT WITHIN 5- 25 MINUTES (VARIES EACH TIME WHEN I START THE CAR UP AND DRIVE) THOSE TWO LIGHTS COME ON. EVERY YEAR THERE SEEMS TO BE NEW LIGHTS THAT COME ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN THE CAR MORE THAN A FEW TIMES BEFORE A LIGHT COMES ON. IT'S COST ME SO MUCH IN DIAGNOSTIC TIME. ALSO ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT OFTEN THE RADIO DOESN'T TURN ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE SCREEN ALSO DOES NOT POP UP. I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR, TURN IT OFF AND THEN RESTART. MOST TIMES THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SEEMS TO 'RESTART' ITSELF SO THAT THE RADIO TURNS ON AND THE SCREEN POPS UP. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THIS CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11323610
40,395 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteering
I PREVIOUSLY FILED A REPORT ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING WHEEL COLUMN, POOR STEERING, STICKING PRIOR TO HAVING IT FIXED ON THIS DATE. I HAD NOT FOUND THE PAPERWORK FOR IT UNTIL AFTER I SUBMITTED THE REPORT. THE TRACKING # 11300634.
NHTSA ODI #11300644
135,850 miles · Apr 12, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper
GM5 MODULE FAIL. WHEN THE GM5 MODULE FAULS WINDSHIELD WIPERS WON'T WORK (THIS COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM IF IT RAINS!), INTERIOR LIGHTS WON'T WORK, WINDOWS WON'T GO UP OR DOWN, NO ALARM FUNCTIONS AND OF COURSE NO AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK CONTROL (DOORS CAN MANUALLY BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED AS LONG AS THE DOUBLE LOCK IS OPEN.)
NHTSA ODI #11195746
26,000 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Electrical System
26000 MILES ON CAR. ALWAYS IN GARAGE. NEVER DRIVEN IN WINTER AND USE A BATTERY TENDER DURING WINTER.REPLACED 2 BATTERIES THIS SUMMER RECENTLY AFTER NOT DRIVING IT FOR ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS. THIS TELLS ME THAT THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SOMEWHERE BUT WHERE? IT'S PULLING POWER FROM SOMEWHERE. CAN'T BE TRUSTED
NHTSA ODI #11043135
88,000 miles · Jan 8, 2016
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE EPS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 02/26/16*LJ UPDATED 02/29/16.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10818912
56,000 miles · Jul 26, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingStructure
I LEFT MY BMW IN THE SUN ALL DAY AND NOW MY LOCKS WONT WORK. MANY RESOURCES LINK THIS PROBLEM TO THE GM5 WHICH CONTROLS THE LIGHTING AND LOCKS. BAD LOCKS CAN BE A SAFETY AND SECURITY ISSUE ON PARKED CARS BUT ALSO FOR MOVING CARS AS CHILDREN MAY OPEN VEHICLE DOORS IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #10743567
20,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 10/07/14*LJ UPDATED 3/23/2015 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10631969
36,136 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Electrical System
JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. DIDN'T NOTICE BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK BY EITHER USING THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING SWITCH INSIDE. DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE GM-5 BOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO HEARD THAT THIS GM-5 CAN CAUSE FAILURE ON OTHER FUNCTIONS WITH THE C…
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JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. DIDN'T NOTICE BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK BY EITHER USING THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTRAL LOCKING/UNLOCKING SWITCH INSIDE. DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE GM-5 BOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO HEARD THAT THIS GM-5 CAN CAUSE FAILURE ON OTHER FUNCTIONS WITH THE CAR - WIPERS, LIGHTS ETC. THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD BUT ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES ON IT. THIS PART SHOULD NOT FAIL SO QUICKLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609504
78,000 miles · Nov 22, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING LIGHT COMES ON AND THE STEERING LOCKS IN PLACE. WHEN U TRY TO FORCE IT THE CAR STALLS OUT AND THE STEERING STAYS LOCKED .. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485811
NHTSA investigations
2PE10020 · 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.
EA08001 · BMW Airbag Light Illumination
Opened Jan 4, 2008 · Closed Dec 31, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.
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