IllustrationMY 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING STICKS SPECIAL Y WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE TO EXERT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO CORRECT IT. IT'S NO LONGER A PLEASURE DRIVING MY CAR THAT I LOVE SO MUCH. *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
What owners actually said
411 reportsMY Z4 IS A 2004 3.0I WITH 22120 MILES... OUT OF NOWHERE MY STEERING BECAME LESS FLUID AND SMOOTH. SOMETIMES I THINK I DON'T HAVE POWER STEERING. ALMOST COULDN'T AVOID BEING CUT OFF BY A TAXI IN MANHATTAN I'M AFRAID I MAY DIE WHILE DRIVING OR POSSIBLY HARM OTHERS. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I CAN'T JUST WAIT FOR A RECALL. *TR
MY 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING STICKS WHEN TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85F. SO FAR IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT SEEMS TO BE MORE FREQUENT AND HAPPENING AT LOWER TEMPERATURES THAN LAST SUMMER. THE CAR HAS 58,000 MILES. *TR
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN YOUR INVESTIGATION PE10020. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2004 Z4, STICKS AND I AM REQUIRED TO EXERT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO CORRECT IT OR TO TURN THE WHEEL. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR, IT HAPPENS AT BOTH SLOW AND FASTER SPEEDS, BUT IT IS MORE PRONOUCED AT…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN YOUR INVESTIGATION PE10020. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY 2004 Z4, STICKS AND I AM REQUIRED TO EXERT EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO CORRECT IT OR TO TURN THE WHEEL. SPEED DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR, IT HAPPENS AT BOTH SLOW AND FASTER SPEEDS, BUT IT IS MORE PRONOUCED AT HIGHER SPEEDS BECAUSE THE CAR TRAVELS MUCH FURTHER BEFORE I CAN CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN THE SUMMER WHEN IT IS VERY HOT IN TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE PAST TWO SUMMERS. I SAW THE INVESTIGATION ON YOUR WEBSITE AND DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL THERE WAS A RECALL BEFORE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER, SUMMER IS APPROACHING AGAIN, SO I THOUGHT I WOULD ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE OTHERS IN HOPES OF EXPEDITING A RE-CALL. THIS CAN BE A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND IF IT RECURS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS HOTTER, I WILL HAVE TO GET IT REPAIRED, RECALL OR NOT. *TR
THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY CAR "STICKS" WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR GETS WARMED UP. WHEN I GO TO WORK, NO PROBLEM. WHEN I LEAVE IN THE AFTERNOON AND I AM DRIVING HOME, I HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO "STICK." I MEAN, I AM LITERALLY HAVING TO FIGHT WITH THE CAR TO…
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THE STEERING MECHANISM IN MY CAR "STICKS" WHEN DRIVING. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR GETS WARMED UP. WHEN I GO TO WORK, NO PROBLEM. WHEN I LEAVE IN THE AFTERNOON AND I AM DRIVING HOME, I HAVE A HARD TIME KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO "STICK." I MEAN, I AM LITERALLY HAVING TO FIGHT WITH THE CAR TO KEEP IT FROM GOING INTO ANOTHER LANE. TIRES ARE NEW SO THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. PLUS, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF THESE CARS. I BOUGHT THE CAR DECEMBER, 2010 WITH 79,442 MILES ON IT. I NOW HAVE A LITTLE OVER 81,000 MILES. I DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR MUCH... MOSTLY WEEKENDS, BUT WHAT A MAJOR PROBLEM IT IS TO DRIVE AND HAVE THE CAR NOT STEER PROPERLY. *TR
AFTER DRIVING THE CAR FOR 20 OR SO MINUTES, WHEN IT STARTS TO WARM UP, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS TO STICK. IT TAKES A LITTLE MORE PRESSURE TO TURN THE WHEEL CAUSING ME TO OVER STEER AND SWERVE A LITTLE BIT. IT GETS WORSE THE LONGER DISTANCE I HAVE TO DRIVE. *TR
READING BMW FORUMS I READ THAT OTHER OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME.. I HAVE A BMW 2004 Z4 WITH 43K MILES AND THE STEERING NOTCHES OR STICKS A LOT AS I DRIVE. THERE SEEMS TO BE A STEERING PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THE PROBLEM? *TR
WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT IT STICKS WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN BACK TO CENTER AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET WORSE WHEN TEMPERATURES GET WARMER (75 DEGREES OR HIGHER). I'M CONCERNED THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IF THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE …
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WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT OR LEFT IT STICKS WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN BACK TO CENTER AND REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE THE WHEEL. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO GET WORSE WHEN TEMPERATURES GET WARMER (75 DEGREES OR HIGHER). I'M CONCERNED THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL IF THIS PROBLEM GETS WORSE AND I'M NOT SURE IF THE CAR IS SAFE ENOUGH TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHER SPEEDS.
MY 2004 BMW Z4 EXPERIENCES "STICKINESS" IN STEERING. IT HAS 59,000 MILES AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GRADUALLY INCREASING. I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE STEERING RESPONSE WITH INCREASED AMBIENT HEAT, BUT IT DOES SEEM TO BE WORSE WHEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS. *TR
STEERING EXTREMELY STICKY WHEN CAR TEMPERATURE IS HOT. STEERING WILL NOT SELF CENTER. *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.