IllustrationSTEERING BINDS IN CENTER POSITION WHEN DRIVING AT SPEED. SMALL CORRECTIONS ARE HARD TO MAKE AS STEERING RESISTS & THEN OVER CORRECTS. PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING HOT WEATHER AND HAS PROGRESSIVELY BECOME WORSE OVERTIME .
2005 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
420–25K
4825–50K
4750–75K
2075–100K
10100–150K
2150K+
169 reports with mileage · 21 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 172 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports
What owners actually said
190 reportsSTEERING PROBLEM IN WARM WEATHER AND WHEN CAR GETS WARM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT TIGHT AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE BMW (2208, 1370 ROOSEVELT AVE, YORK, PA 17404, (717) 845-6689) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL FELT TIGHT AND WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE BMW (2208, 1370 ROOSEVELT AVE, YORK, PA 17404, (717) 845-6689) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
6/25/18 BMW WORKED ON MY CAR AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM (KNEE AIR BAG R & R , RESISTANCE TOO LOW IN AIRBAG, REPLACED AIRBAG, INTERNAL MODULE FAILURE, SRS B PILLAR RIGHT MODULE) . 12/31/18 AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING
THIS BMW Z4 HAS 26,000 MILES AND HAS FAULTY STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BIND UP. THIS LEADS TO FORCING THE WHEEL TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE. THE RESULT IS AN OVER CORRECTION CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING. THIS CONDITION IS TEMPERATURE RELATED AND IS MADE WORSE WHEN HOT. IT IS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES...WHILE TURNING OR DRIVING OR …
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THIS BMW Z4 HAS 26,000 MILES AND HAS FAULTY STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL BIND UP. THIS LEADS TO FORCING THE WHEEL TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE. THE RESULT IS AN OVER CORRECTION CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING. THIS CONDITION IS TEMPERATURE RELATED AND IS MADE WORSE WHEN HOT. IT IS PRESENT AT ALL TIMES...WHILE TURNING OR DRIVING OR STRAIGHT AHEAD. ANY LOSS OF STEERING IS A SAFETY ISSUE OF IMPORTANCE. THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2003 - 2005 BMW Z4'S.
I BOUGHT MY 2005 BMW Z4 IN '08. IT BARELY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING STARTED TO STICK TWO YEARS AGO. IT SEEMS TO BE AT ITS WORST ON REALLY HOT DAYS. I CAN PULL IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AND IT'S FINE, BUT ONCE I GET TO WHERE I'M GOING AND IT SITS IN THE SUN FOR A FEW HOURS, THEN IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT USED TO JU…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 BMW Z4 IN '08. IT BARELY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. THE STEERING STARTED TO STICK TWO YEARS AGO. IT SEEMS TO BE AT ITS WORST ON REALLY HOT DAYS. I CAN PULL IT OUT OF THE GARAGE AND IT'S FINE, BUT ONCE I GET TO WHERE I'M GOING AND IT SITS IN THE SUN FOR A FEW HOURS, THEN IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. IT USED TO JUST STICK WHILE ON TURNS, BUT NOW IT IS STARTING TO STICK WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. I HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL BACK & FORTH TO STAY STRAIGHT AND IN THE LINES. I'M AFRAID ONE OF THESE DAYS IT'S GOING TO STICK AND TAKE ME RIGHT OFF THE ROAD. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THESE WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS
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.
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.
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.
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING.
Official recalls
0No 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
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.