IllustrationTHE STEERING WHEEL STICKS AND IT'S VERY HARD TO KEEP THE CAR CENTERED. I AM TOLD IT WILL NEED A NEW STEERING COLUMN AND THIS WAS AN ISSUE BMW HAD FOR A COUPLE YEARS ON THESE MODELS. *TR
2004 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
680–25K
12925–50K
10550–75K
4275–100K
26100–150K
2150K+
372 reports with mileage · 39 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 378 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports0 injury reports
Steering complaints
378 reportsONCE THE CAR HAD WARMED UP I NOTICED THE STEERING WOULD "STICK"AND I HAD TO USE FORCE TO GET IT TO STAY ALIGNED WITH THE ROAD. *TR
THE STEERING IS THE ONLY PROBLEM BUT YOUR WEB SITE INSISTS ON MY SELECTING AT LEAST 3 AFFECTED PARTS. IN ANY CASE, THE STEERING RECENTLY BECAME JERKY AND NOTCHY WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THIS, I TOOK IT MY LOCAL FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SPECIALIST AND THEY DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. ULTIMATEL…
Read full complaint
THE STEERING IS THE ONLY PROBLEM BUT YOUR WEB SITE INSISTS ON MY SELECTING AT LEAST 3 AFFECTED PARTS. IN ANY CASE, THE STEERING RECENTLY BECAME JERKY AND NOTCHY WHILE DRIVING. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THIS, I TOOK IT MY LOCAL FOREIGN CAR REPAIR SPECIALIST AND THEY DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM WITH THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. ULTIMATELY, THEY REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST TO ME OF $4100. THIS WAS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION MAKING MY CONTROL OF STEERING TENUOUS AT BEST AND ONE THAT YOU HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT. *TR
THE STEERING BECOMES "NOTCHY" OR "MAGNETIC" DURING HOT WEATHER. IT GETS STUCK IN A POSITION AND REQUITES FORCE TO MOVE IT FROM THAT POSITION. THIS OFTEN HAPPENS TURNING THE VEHICLE AT LOW OR HIGH SPEEDS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO CHANGE LANES, FOLLOW A CURVE, OR MAKE A TURN. IT IS DANGEROUS AND CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY STEERING BECAME VERY STICKY, WHEEL WOULD JUST JERK BACK AND FORTH WHENEVER I TRIED TO SWITCH LANES. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY WHO SAID, OH YEAH THAT'S JUST STIFF STEERING. WHEN I EXPLAINED IT MORE, HE FESSED UP THAT OH YEAH HE HAD HEARD OF THAT TOO AND IT WAS A POWER STEERING ISSUE AND NOT …
Read full complaint
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY STEERING BECAME VERY STICKY, WHEEL WOULD JUST JERK BACK AND FORTH WHENEVER I TRIED TO SWITCH LANES. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY WHO SAID, OH YEAH THAT'S JUST STIFF STEERING. WHEN I EXPLAINED IT MORE, HE FESSED UP THAT OH YEAH HE HAD HEARD OF THAT TOO AND IT WAS A POWER STEERING ISSUE AND NOT A GOOD THING AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE SAID THAT THE WHOLE STEERING COLUMN WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED, THE QUOTED WAS $4100 TO FIX IT! AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON LINE I'M FLABBERGASTED BY HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE THIS PROBLEM AS THIS IS A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE FOR MOST PEOPLE AND THEY PROBABLY HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT ENOUGH YET TO FIND OUT THIS WILL OCCUR. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NO COMPANY SHOULD GET AWAY WITH PUTTING OUT A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND MAKING THE OWNERS PAY FOR IT LATER. *TR
MY 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING IS CHOPPY AND STICKS EVEN WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MAKING NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AWKWARD. NOTE, THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 36000 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND WITHOUT EVEN TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, THE MAINTENANCE CREW TOLD ME E…
Read full complaint
MY 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING IS CHOPPY AND STICKS EVEN WHEN DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. MAKING NORMAL DRIVING MANEUVERS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AWKWARD. NOTE, THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 36000 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND WITHOUT EVEN TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD, THE MAINTENANCE CREW TOLD ME EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. THE UPPER POWER STEERING MECHANISM IS FAULTY, WHICH BMW HAS A RECALLED FOR CERTAIN VINS BUT NOT OURS. ITS PRETTY CLEAR THAT THIS IS AN ACROSS THE BOARD BMW PROBLEM AND SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE COAXED INTO DOING THE RIGHT THING. SO I GO ON THE WEB TO THIS SITE AND I FIND 233 COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM IN JUST THIS YEAR ALONE. WHAT'S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR BMW TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT TO STEER. STEERING BECOMES STICKY AT TEMPERATURES ABOVE 75 DEGREES F., AND IS JERKY AND DIFFICULT TO STEER. BMW DEALERSHIP STATE IT WAS THE TIRES. I HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE. *TR
FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE IN 2009 AFTER A LONG DRIVE ON A VERY WARM SUMMER DAY IN NEW YORK. STARTED NOTICING A "STICKY/CHOPPY" REACTION TO THE AUTOMATIC STEERING WHICH BECAME PRONOUNCED WHILE ON A CURVE, AND REQUIRED QUICK ACTION TO "RIGHT" THE WHEELS TO AVOID A CROSSOVER TO THE OPPOSITE LANE. I BECAME MORE AND MORE AWARE OF THE…
Read full complaint
FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE IN 2009 AFTER A LONG DRIVE ON A VERY WARM SUMMER DAY IN NEW YORK. STARTED NOTICING A "STICKY/CHOPPY" REACTION TO THE AUTOMATIC STEERING WHICH BECAME PRONOUNCED WHILE ON A CURVE, AND REQUIRED QUICK ACTION TO "RIGHT" THE WHEELS TO AVOID A CROSSOVER TO THE OPPOSITE LANE. I BECAME MORE AND MORE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AS IT SEEM TO RELATE TO LONG DRIVES ON HOT DAYS. SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN IN THE SUMMER TIME, I CAN NOT TESTIFY TO THIS STEERING PROBLEM IN THE COLDER WINTER MONTHS. HOWEVER, I AM CONSTANTLY VIGILANT TO THIS ISSUE NOW. CONTACTED BMWNA TO CHECK FOR RECALLS, BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THE STEERING WAS FAULTY. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN CONTACTING THEM. THANKYOU *TR
THE STEERING ON THE CAR BECOMES NOTCHY AND TWITCHY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IN WARM WEATHER. THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS UP LIKE THERE IS A FLAT SPOT SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. IT TAKES EXTRA PHYSICAL EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING OFF THAT FLAT SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY STOP RESPONDING TO DRIVER INPUT FOR A S…
Read full complaint
THE STEERING ON THE CAR BECOMES NOTCHY AND TWITCHY, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND IN WARM WEATHER. THE STEERING WHEEL HANGS UP LIKE THERE IS A FLAT SPOT SOMEWHERE IN THE SYSTEM. IT TAKES EXTRA PHYSICAL EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING OFF THAT FLAT SPOT. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL INTERMITTENTLY STOP RESPONDING TO DRIVER INPUT FOR A SHORT RANGE. THEN SUDDENLY START WORKING AGAIN AFTER EXTRA APPLIED PRESSURE ON THE WHEEL. WHEN THE STEERING IS IN THE NOTCHY/TWITCHY CONDITION IT WILL PULL TO ONE SIDE. THIS IS NOT A SAFE SITUATION BECAUSE YOU ARE CONSTANTLY CORRECTING THE STEERING TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE PROBLEM IS GREASE ON A BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE BEARING IS NOT SEALED AND THE GREASE IS EXPOSED TO HOT TEMPERATURES. THE PROBLEM CAN BE REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE BEARING WITH A NEW IMPROVED VERSION, BMW DOES NOT OFFER THE BEARING ON IT'S PART LIST, BUT DOES RECOMMEND REPLACING THE STEERING COLUMN AT A COST OF $4000.00. *TR
STEERING IS STICKING PULLS TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD SUDDEN JERKING OF CAR WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS BUT CAR DOESN'T TURN WITH THE TURN YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE TURN AND THEN YOU GET PULLED IN OTHER DIRECTION VERY VERY UNSAFE! FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO BE PULLED INTO …
Read full complaint
STEERING IS STICKING PULLS TO THE LEFT THEN TO THE RIGHT VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP CAR STRAIGHT ON THE ROAD SUDDEN JERKING OF CAR WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TURNS BUT CAR DOESN'T TURN WITH THE TURN YOU HAVE TO FORCE THE TURN AND THEN YOU GET PULLED IN OTHER DIRECTION VERY VERY UNSAFE! FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO BE PULLED INTO A CRASH! THESE STEERING COLUMNS NEED RECALLED AND FAST! *TR
Official recalls
104V182000 · 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.
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
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.