IllustrationMY STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY ON THE FREEWAY. *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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF WHEN DRIVING IN VERY HOT TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF WHEN DRIVING IN VERY HOT TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,300.
STEERING BECOMES STICKY IN HOT WEATHER. THE STEERING WHEEL FEELS NOTCHY AND DOES NOT RESPOND IMMEDIATELY WHEN TURNED - FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK IN CENTER POSITION. AGGRESSIVE MOVEMENT RESTORES RESPONSE BUT CONDITION REMAINS PRESENT. SITUATION NOTICED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN 90 DEG. WEATHER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING THE SPEED RATE OF 45 MPH AND HIGHER. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MEC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN TRAVELING THE SPEED RATE OF 45 MPH AND HIGHER. THE CONTACT WOULD NOT DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO THE STEERING FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER STEERING AND STEERING COLUMN. THE PARTS ESTIMATED COST WAS $3,000. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED WHILE DRIVING, IT TAKES SOME EFFORT TO MAKE A STEERING ADJUSTMENT SUCH AS KEEPING THE CAR CENTERED IN THE DRIVING LANE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BE STUCK AND TO OVER COME THIS ONE MUST OVER-STEER THE CAR AND THEN BRING IT BACK TO CENTER. SOME TIMES THIS RESULTS IN AN ABRUPT OVER TURN AND …
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WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS CENTERED WHILE DRIVING, IT TAKES SOME EFFORT TO MAKE A STEERING ADJUSTMENT SUCH AS KEEPING THE CAR CENTERED IN THE DRIVING LANE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BE STUCK AND TO OVER COME THIS ONE MUST OVER-STEER THE CAR AND THEN BRING IT BACK TO CENTER. SOME TIMES THIS RESULTS IN AN ABRUPT OVER TURN AND CAUSES THE CAR TO ALMOST LURCH OUT OF THE DRIVING LANE. *TR
2004 BMW Z4 3.0. THE STEERING IS STICKY WHEN AMBIENT TEMP OVER 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE. DEALER STATES NO PROBLEM. READ THE NEWS AND SAW THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING. YOU GUYS ARE WELCOME TO DRIVE MINE TO SEE THE PROBLEM IN ACTION. WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE (AS IT OFTEN IS IN JACKSONVILLE, FL) THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIG…
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2004 BMW Z4 3.0. THE STEERING IS STICKY WHEN AMBIENT TEMP OVER 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE. DEALER STATES NO PROBLEM. READ THE NEWS AND SAW THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING. YOU GUYS ARE WELCOME TO DRIVE MINE TO SEE THE PROBLEM IN ACTION. WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE (AS IT OFTEN IS IN JACKSONVILLE, FL) THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE BECAUSE OF THE "STICKY STEERING." *TR
MY 2004 BMW Z4 HAS 33,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE LAST 1,000 MILES IT HAS DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH STICKY OR RATCHET-LIKE STEERING WHICH HAS CAUSED ME TO OVERSTEER AT TIMES. IT IS WORSE WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. I AM BECOMING AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON FLAW. BMW NEEDS TO ACT. THANK YOU! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT A MINIMUM OF 50 MPH IN WARM TEMPERATURES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY VEER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN DRIVING AT A MINIMUM OF 50 MPH IN WARM TEMPERATURES, THE POWER STEERING WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY VEER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,388.
2004 BMW Z4-STICKY STEERING-POWER STEERING STICKS, SEAMS TO BE WORSE IN HOTTER WEATHER, CAUSES YOU TO OVERCORRECT WHEN DRIVING AND THIS HAPPENS, I CAN SEE WHERE THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT REALLY PAYING ATTENTION. OR COULD CAUSE TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
IF MY CAR VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, INCREASED FORCE IS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY PROBLEMS AT LOWER TEMPERATURES OR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS/BINDS OR LOCKS UP, AND REQUIRES A LOT OF EFFORT T…
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IF MY CAR VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, INCREASED FORCE IS REQUIRED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THERE DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY PROBLEMS AT LOWER TEMPERATURES OR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE OVERNIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS/BINDS OR LOCKS UP, AND REQUIRES A LOT OF EFFORT TO MOVE WHICH RESULTS IN OVERCORRECTING WHICH PRODUCES SEVERE OVER OR UNDER-STEER. THE PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT SPEEDS OVER 50MPH. *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.