2005 BMW E85 WITH ONLY 9,000 MILES. DRIVING IN STRAIGHT LINE, STEERING WHEEL HAS UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF 'PLAY' WHERE NO WHEEL DIRECTION CHANGE WILL OCCUR. WHEN EXCEEDING THE 'PLAY' AN AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE IS ENCOUNTERED FOLLOWED BY AN ABRUPT WHEEL DIRECTION CHANGE. AT 40 MPH CAR WILL SUDDENLY MOVE 1-2 FEET IN LANE. VEHICLE REQUIRES C…
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2005 BMW E85 WITH ONLY 9,000 MILES. DRIVING IN STRAIGHT LINE, STEERING WHEEL HAS UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF 'PLAY' WHERE NO WHEEL DIRECTION CHANGE WILL OCCUR. WHEN EXCEEDING THE 'PLAY' AN AMOUNT OF RESISTANCE IS ENCOUNTERED FOLLOWED BY AN ABRUPT WHEEL DIRECTION CHANGE. AT 40 MPH CAR WILL SUDDENLY MOVE 1-2 FEET IN LANE. VEHICLE REQUIRES CONSTANT, JERKING CORRECTION. THIS CONDITION HAS EXISTED SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE 2 MONTHS AGO BUT IS MUCH WORSE ON HOT DAYS SUCH AS THE CURRENT 85 DEGREE WEATHER. IN A CLOSE CLEARANCE SITUATIONS AT HIGHER SPEEDS OR VERY HOT DAYS, THIS COULD BECOME VERY DANGEROUS REGARDLESS OF DRIVER EXPERIENCE OR DILIGENCE. GIVEN THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, I WONDER IF IT WILL REQUIRE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410781
77,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Steering
THE STEERING SEEMS TO "STICK" AND RELEASE SUDDENLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR A WHILE. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING TO DATE BUT THE ISSUE DOES SEEM WORSE ON SOME DAYS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408431
54,000 miles · Jun 18, 2011
Steering
I HAVE A 2005 BMW Z4 3.0I WITH ELECTRIC POWER STEERING. THE STEERING STICKS WHEN I DRIVE IT. I HAVE READ THAT THIS ISSUE HAS TURNED INTO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER OWNERS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE THE INITIAL STEERING ISSUE TOO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407370
42,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK ABNORMALLY, THEN RELEASE, FOLLOWED BY A JERKING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN WARMER TEMPERATURES, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK ABNORMALLY, THEN RELEASE, FOLLOWED BY A JERKING OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10406134
55,000 miles · May 29, 2011
Steering
STEERING STICKS AT MODERATE TO HIGH OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. REQUIRES EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO TURN OFF CENTER AND ALSO THEN BACK TO CENTER. FEELS AS IF IT TURNS IN NOTCHES INSTEAD OF SMOOTHLY. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING TO JERK FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER AS YOU ARE SIMPLY MAKING SMALL STEERING CORRECTIONS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVI…
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STEERING STICKS AT MODERATE TO HIGH OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE. REQUIRES EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO TURN OFF CENTER AND ALSO THEN BACK TO CENTER. FEELS AS IF IT TURNS IN NOTCHES INSTEAD OF SMOOTHLY. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING TO JERK FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER AS YOU ARE SIMPLY MAKING SMALL STEERING CORRECTIONS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION.
NHTSA ODI #10404649
62,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Steering
STEERING ON MY 05 BMW Z4 STICKS AND JERKS AND CAUSES ME TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. DEALER SAYS NOTHING WRONG DESPITE ALL THESE COMPLAINTS IM FINDING ONLINE. TOO SCARED TO DRIVE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401534
21,000 miles · May 10, 2011
Steering
I PURCHASED MY 2005 BMW Z4 3.0I LAST YEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. INTERESTING TIME TO SELL A CAR WITH A MAJOR STEERING DEFECT THAT IS TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT. AS THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INCREASES THE ABILITY TO STEER AND CONTROL MY 2005 BMW Z4 BECOMES MORE DANGEROUS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A DAY ABOVE 75 DEGREES THE WHEEL APPE…
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I PURCHASED MY 2005 BMW Z4 3.0I LAST YEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER. INTERESTING TIME TO SELL A CAR WITH A MAJOR STEERING DEFECT THAT IS TEMPERATURE DEPENDENT. AS THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE INCREASES THE ABILITY TO STEER AND CONTROL MY 2005 BMW Z4 BECOMES MORE DANGEROUS. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A DAY ABOVE 75 DEGREES THE WHEEL APPEARS TO BE STUCK. WHEN IT FINALLY DOES MOVE THE RESULT IS RAPID LANE SHIFTING, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHILE DOING THIS. IN FACT I AM UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON HOT DAYS AND LEAVE IT HOME, THE STEERING IS NOT PREDICTABLE. SPOKE WITH MY BMW DEALER WHO STATES THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS UNUSUAL GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I CAN FIND ON LINE. THIS EVENT OCCURS EACH AND EVERY DAY WHERE THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE GETS ABOVE 75 AND WILL NOT CORRECT ITSELF UNTIL THE CAR COOLS DOWN. CLEARLY A TEMPERATURE RELATED ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399938
100,000 miles · Apr 1, 2011
Steering
MY 2005 BMW Z4 HAVE STEERING WHEELS ISSUES. GPS NAVIGATION SYSTEM DON'T WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394001
47,754 miles · Mar 27, 2011
Steering
STEERING ON MY 05 BMW Z4 GETS ERRATIC OR STICKS IS HARD TO STEER WHEN RUNNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. TRYING TO MAKE A SMALL CORRECTION RESULTS IN THE STEERING WHEEL JERKING THEN MORE FORCE IS REQUIRED TO OVERCOME THIS PROBLEM. THIS RESULTS IN OVER CORRECTION WHICH MAKES THE CAR JERK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10393003
59,800 miles · Feb 28, 2011
Steering
2005 BMW Z4. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR AROUND 300+ MILES THE STEERING START TO STICK, MAKING HOLDING THE CAR IN YOUR LANE VERY DIFFICULT. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCT. OR NOV. OF 2010 AND IT HAD APPROX. 56000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN DEC. WHEN WE WENT TO FLA. AND LAST WEEK WHEN WE TRAVELED TO …
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2005 BMW Z4. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR AROUND 300+ MILES THE STEERING START TO STICK, MAKING HOLDING THE CAR IN YOUR LANE VERY DIFFICULT. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCT. OR NOV. OF 2010 AND IT HAD APPROX. 56000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN DEC. WHEN WE WENT TO FLA. AND LAST WEEK WHEN WE TRAVELED TO S.C. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10384799
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
2
PE10020 · 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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