IllustrationWHEN GOING STRAIGHT PARTICULARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, BUT OTHER TIMES AS WELL, THE STEERING IS "STICKY". THE WHEEL WANTS TO REMAIN IN THE SAME POSITION AND IT REQUIRES SOME EXTRA EFFORT TO MOVE LEFT OR RIGHT.
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 reportsI HAVE 2004 BMW Z4 AND HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING "STICKY" STEERING. IT IS ESPECIALLY UNNERVING WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I AM DEATHLY AFRAID THE STICKINESS OF THE STEERING WILL CAUSE TO TO OVER CORRECT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
I HAVE A BMW 2004 Z4 WITH ONLY 21000 MILES. I STARTED TO DEVELOPER A STEERING PROBLEM,. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT AND CHOPPY.HARD TO REMAIN CENTERED ON THE ROAD AND THE WHEEL IS UNRESPONSIVE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED CORPORATE BMW . THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A P…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A BMW 2004 Z4 WITH ONLY 21000 MILES. I STARTED TO DEVELOPER A STEERING PROBLEM,. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT AND CHOPPY.HARD TO REMAIN CENTERED ON THE ROAD AND THE WHEEL IS UNRESPONSIVE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED CORPORATE BMW . THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM EXISTS. ON LINE AND ON YOUR SITE IT SHOWS HUNDREDS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR DIE. BMW SHOULD OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT.
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.)
BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2016 WITH 58000 MILES. ALMOST 2 YRS LATER AND LESS THEN 5000 MORE MILES, STEERING IS STICKY! WE BOUGHT AN EXTRA WARRANTY, SO WE TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED BMW MECHANIC. HE TOLD US THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. AND SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THE WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT. THEY WANT $4000.00 TO REP…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT THIS CAR IN MAY 2016 WITH 58000 MILES. ALMOST 2 YRS LATER AND LESS THEN 5000 MORE MILES, STEERING IS STICKY! WE BOUGHT AN EXTRA WARRANTY, SO WE TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED BMW MECHANIC. HE TOLD US THAT THE STEERING COLUMN IS BAD. AND SINCE IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THE WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT. THEY WANT $4000.00 TO REPAIR IT. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND BMW WON'T ISSUE A RECALL!
STEERING STICKS WHILE DRIVING. HAPPENS AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. TAKES EFFORT TO "FREE UP THE STEERING WHEEL" VERY ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS.
WHEN DRIVING WITH AIR TEMPERATURE ABOVE 80 DEGREES THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY/NOTCHY MAKING IT DIFFICULT/DANGEROUS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE TRAVEL LANE AT ANY SPEED.
STICKING MANLY WHEN HOT OUT SIDE BUT ALSO WITH THE HEATER ON, AT HI WAY SPEEDS IT TAKES MORE EFFORT TO MAKE SMALL CORRECTIONS NEEDED TO KEEP THE CAR IN THE LANE.
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT HAS A DEFECTIVE SENSOR. IT INDICATES THAT A CHILD'S WEIGHT IS IN THE SEAT AND THEREFORE WILL NOT PERMIT THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE FAULT CODE CAN BE RESET, THE LIGHT GOES OUT; STAYS OUT FOR WEEKS AND LIGHTS UP AT RANDOM AGAIN! CLEARING THE FAULT CODE IS BURDENSOME AND DISABLING THE AIR B…
Read full complaint
PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTION MAT HAS A DEFECTIVE SENSOR. IT INDICATES THAT A CHILD'S WEIGHT IS IN THE SEAT AND THEREFORE WILL NOT PERMIT THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. THE FAULT CODE CAN BE RESET, THE LIGHT GOES OUT; STAYS OUT FOR WEEKS AND LIGHTS UP AT RANDOM AGAIN! CLEARING THE FAULT CODE IS BURDENSOME AND DISABLING THE AIR BAG INAPPROPRIATELY IS A SAFETY DEFECT.
IN THE SPRING OF 2018 THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL BECOMING STUCK, NOTCHY AND QUICKLY TERRIFYING TO DRIVE. THE LACK OF RESPONSE, OVER CORRECTION ONCE ENGAGED, OVERALL JUMPINESS AND UNPREDICTABILITY CAUSED ME TO STOP HIGHWAY DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. NON HIGHWAY DRIVING CEASED WITHIN DAYS FOR THE SAME REASONS AND IT HAS BEEN I…
Read full complaint
IN THE SPRING OF 2018 THE POWER STEERING STARTED TO FAIL BECOMING STUCK, NOTCHY AND QUICKLY TERRIFYING TO DRIVE. THE LACK OF RESPONSE, OVER CORRECTION ONCE ENGAGED, OVERALL JUMPINESS AND UNPREDICTABILITY CAUSED ME TO STOP HIGHWAY DRIVING IMMEDIATELY. NON HIGHWAY DRIVING CEASED WITHIN DAYS FOR THE SAME REASONS AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE WAITING FOR A USED STEERING COLUMN TO BECOME AVAILABLE FOR $800 INSTEAD OF $3500 PLUS INSTALL. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2011 WITH 110,000 MILES AND IT FAILED AT 130,000. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE ENGINE SHOULD BE GOOD FOR ANOTHER 100,000 EASILY. THIS STEERING FAILURE APPEARS TO BE COMMON IN THIS CAR WITH MANY GARAGE KEPT LOW MILEAGE CARS YET TO BE IMPACTED.
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.