NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Steering complaints
172 reportsClear category filter74,000 miles · Sep 22, 2018
Steering
HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE NOTICED A STEERING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. MOST RELATE TO ISSUES IN HOT TEMPATURES, MINE IS MORE RELATED TO SPEED. PROBLEM WAS VERY NOTICABLE LAST EVENING AT 70 DEGRE…
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HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE NOTICED A STEERING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. MOST RELATE TO ISSUES IN HOT TEMPATURES, MINE IS MORE RELATED TO SPEED. PROBLEM WAS VERY NOTICABLE LAST EVENING AT 70 DEGREES. HERE ARE THE SYMPTOMS... AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 20MPH) STEERING IS VERY LIGHT AND SMOOTH, NO ISSUES AT ALL. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE STEERING GETS HEAVIER (AS IT SHOULD) BUT DEVELOPS A "DETENT" AT STRAIGHT CENTER. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES. I HAVE HAD MY CAR WORKED ON FOR OTHER SERVICE AND THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTICED THE ISSUE AS IT WAS DRIVEN TO HAVE THE WHEELS ALIENED.
NHTSA ODI #11130745
140,000 miles · Aug 19, 2018
Steering
STIFF STEERING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES. THERE IS RESISTANCE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT OFF CENTER. OFF RAMPS SEEM TO BE THE MOST DANGEROUS BECAUSE ONCE I TURN RIGHT OFF CENTER THE VEHICLE WANTS TO CONTINUE TURNING RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I'VE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES.
NHTSA ODI #11120952
70,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Steering
AFTER THE CAR IS PARKED OUT IN THE SUN ON A HOT DAY (80F OR HIGHER) THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO STEER IMMEDIATELY WHILE IN FORWARD MOTION. THE DIFFICULTY CAN BE DESCRIBED AS TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT REQUIRES SO MUCH FORCE THAT ONCE IT TURNS YOU OVER STEER AND NEED TO TURN THE WHEEL THE OTHER DIRECTION T…
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AFTER THE CAR IS PARKED OUT IN THE SUN ON A HOT DAY (80F OR HIGHER) THE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO STEER IMMEDIATELY WHILE IN FORWARD MOTION. THE DIFFICULTY CAN BE DESCRIBED AS TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT REQUIRES SO MUCH FORCE THAT ONCE IT TURNS YOU OVER STEER AND NEED TO TURN THE WHEEL THE OTHER DIRECTION TO STAY WITHIN THE LANES ON THE ROAD. ANY BEND IN THE ROAD IS DIFFICULT TO KEEP THE CAR CENTERED IN THE LANE SINCE TURNING THE WHEEL REQUIRES SO MUCH FORCE THAT OVER STEERING IS CONTINUALLY HAPPENING. THIS CONDITION DOESN'T APPEAR WHEN THE CAR IS COLD OR PARKED IN A GARAGE ON A HOT DAY THEN DRIVEN FOR 30 MINUTES. LATER THOUGH IT MAY START TO OCCUR AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING ON A VERY HOT DAY IN THE SUN AS THE CAR GET HOT.
NHTSA ODI #11110655
97,200 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Steering
I BOUGHT A 2005 BMW Z4 ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HOWEVER, AS THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE ROSE, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING STARTED STICKING, MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE. FOR EXAMPLE, YESTERDAY, AS I WAS CHANGING LANES ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY, I HAD TROUBLE CHANGING LANES, AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR BE…
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I BOUGHT A 2005 BMW Z4 ABOUT A MONTH AGO. THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS, EVERYTHING WAS FINE. HOWEVER, AS THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE ROSE, I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING STARTED STICKING, MAKING IT HARD TO DRIVE. FOR EXAMPLE, YESTERDAY, AS I WAS CHANGING LANES ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY, I HAD TROUBLE CHANGING LANES, AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE OF THE STICKING PROBLEM. BASED ON WHAT I'VE HEARD, I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS BEING CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN.
NHTSA ODI #11099606
73,000 miles · May 24, 2018
Steering
AFTER PARKED IN HOT SUN AND DRIVING ON HOT DAYS,STEERING BECOMES ERRATIC.STICKS AND RELEASES WHEN TURNING.SLIGHT TURNS AT HIGHWAY SPEED IS HORRIBLE.SLOW DRIVING IS ALSO BAD. THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11097816
104,000 miles · Jan 13, 2018
Steering
"TAKATA RECALL" MY STEERING STICKS IN A POSITION AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND EXCESSIVE FORCE IS NEEDED TO BREAK IT FROM THE DIRECTION IT IS HEADED. THIS OCCURS UNDER MOST ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AND IS MORE NOTICEABLE ON HIGHWAY DRIVING AROUND 60 MPH
NHTSA ODI #11062615
80,000 miles · Oct 29, 2017
SteeringSuspension
STEERING COLUMN EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS TO THE LEFT, OR TO THE RIGHT RANDOMLY MAKING THE CAR REALLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT'S WORSE WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. ALL TIRES PSI ARE NORMAL AND TIRES JUST BRAND NEW. CAR WAS ALIGNED TO DISCARD EVERYTHING. EVEN WITH MANY SIMILAR ISSUES FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS BMW IS NOT ACCEPTING THI…
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STEERING COLUMN EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS TO THE LEFT, OR TO THE RIGHT RANDOMLY MAKING THE CAR REALLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT'S WORSE WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. ALL TIRES PSI ARE NORMAL AND TIRES JUST BRAND NEW. CAR WAS ALIGNED TO DISCARD EVERYTHING. EVEN WITH MANY SIMILAR ISSUES FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS BMW IS NOT ACCEPTING THIS FAILURE AS ONE TO RECALL. BUT WHEN I GETS INTO THE DEALERSHIPS THEY DIAGNOSE THAT THE HOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. MY CAR HAS ONLY 86,000 MILES AND THIS IS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE VEHICLE HAD 80,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11040856
31,000 miles · Oct 17, 2017
Steering
AFTER THE CAR IS PARKED IN THE HOT SUN ALL DAY, THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE GETS "STUCK". IT IS HARD TO STEER AND STAY SMOOTH IN THE LANE BECAUSE YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO GET THE STEERING UNSTUCK AT 70MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE REVISITED. MY CAR ONLY HAS 31K MILES ON IT.
NHTSA ODI #11033972
105,000 miles · Sep 11, 2017
Steering
ABOVE 30 MPH STEERING STICKS AND REQUIRES GREATER EFFORT TO TURN. AT ANY HIGHWAY SPEED THIS REQUIRES OVERCORRECTION AND IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AND REMOVES OF THOUGHT OF "PLEASURE DRIVING"
NHTSA ODI #11022686
54,000 miles · Aug 10, 2017
Steering
2005 BMW Z4 WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES HAS UNCONTROLLABLE STICKY STEERING WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE ELEVATED. STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS IN A GROOVE AND IT TAKES DRAMATIC EFFORT TO MAKE A STEERING CORRECTION TO STAY IN A LANE. ONCE CORRECTED THE CAR SWERVES UNTIL YOU CORRECT AGAIN. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDIT…
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2005 BMW Z4 WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES HAS UNCONTROLLABLE STICKY STEERING WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES ARE ELEVATED. STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS IN A GROOVE AND IT TAKES DRAMATIC EFFORT TO MAKE A STEERING CORRECTION TO STAY IN A LANE. ONCE CORRECTED THE CAR SWERVES UNTIL YOU CORRECT AGAIN. THE CAR IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. REVIEW OF COMPLAINTS AND AVAILABLE INFORMATION CONFIRM THAT THIS IS A BMW ISSUE WORTHY OF A RECALL. THERE WILL BE INJURIES AND DEATHS IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECTED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR PROHIBIT MOST PEOPLE FROM OBTAINING DEALER ASSISTANCE TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11014175
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.
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