AT 5PM I DROVE THE CAR TO MARKET. STEERING FELT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OR NULL POINT. IT TOOK SOME FORCE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL PAST THE STUCK FEELING AND THEN THE SAME EFFORT TO RETURN TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 80+ DEGREES F. IT IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE …
Read full complaint
AT 5PM I DROVE THE CAR TO MARKET. STEERING FELT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OR NULL POINT. IT TOOK SOME FORCE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL PAST THE STUCK FEELING AND THEN THE SAME EFFORT TO RETURN TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 80+ DEGREES F. IT IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE PROBLEM AS THE CORRECTION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO SWERVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR THE SWALE OR CURB. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588215
33,400 miles · Mar 18, 2014
Steering
GOT IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT AND THE LIGHT FOR THE POWER STEERING CAME ON AND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WENT HOME AND LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN LOOKING IN TO IT. PLAN TO CALL THE DEALER TOMORROW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573259
14,935 miles · Dec 9, 2013
Steering
VEHICLE HAS A FLAT SPOT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE TEMPERATURE RELATED AS IT IS NOT AS SEVER AS WHEN IT IS A COOL DAY. THE STEERING SEEMS TO LOCK UP IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10555349
56,000 miles · Sep 26, 2013
Steering
ON HOT DAYS (85F+) THE STEERING SEEMS TO "STICK" REQUIRING MORE THAN NORMAL FORCE TO "BREAK" THE STICK AND RESUME NORMAL STEERING. THIS CAN BE VERY DISCONCERTING AS IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE WINTER. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10545522
64,000 miles · Aug 15, 2013
Steering
STEERING IS JERKY FROM CENTER POSITION. EXTRA EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO MOVE STERRING WHEEL FROM CENTER POSITION CAUSING OVER CORRECTION IN EITHER DIRECTION. SOMETIMES THIS EXTRA EFFORT PUTS THE CAR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR THE DITCH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AN I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. BMW WANTS TO REPL…
Read full complaint
STEERING IS JERKY FROM CENTER POSITION. EXTRA EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO MOVE STERRING WHEEL FROM CENTER POSITION CAUSING OVER CORRECTION IN EITHER DIRECTION. SOMETIMES THIS EXTRA EFFORT PUTS THE CAR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR THE DITCH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AN I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. BMW WANTS TO REPLACE THE STEERING SYSTEM (EXPENSIVE). THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10535458
52,488 miles · Jun 1, 2013
Steering
THIS 2006 BMW HAS THE "STICKY STEERING" PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO THE NHTSA. THE PROBLEM OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO "UNSTICK" THE MECHANISM AND HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND IN TURN, THE CAR STEER PROPERLY. THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE…
Read full complaint
THIS 2006 BMW HAS THE "STICKY STEERING" PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO THE NHTSA. THE PROBLEM OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO "UNSTICK" THE MECHANISM AND HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND IN TURN, THE CAR STEER PROPERLY. THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS IS. THERE CAN BE A DELAY WHEN REACTING TO CORNERS, ON COMING TRAFFIC OR ANY NUMBER OF NORMAL DRIVING HAZARDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514637
56,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Steering
WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON A WARM DAY, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY RIGID AND STIFF. WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS IN THE LINE OF DIRECTION, THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND. THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THE TIRES REPLACED. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM AND THE CAR BECOMES HARD TO MANAGE…
Read full complaint
WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON A WARM DAY, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY RIGID AND STIFF. WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS IN THE LINE OF DIRECTION, THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND. THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THE TIRES REPLACED. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM AND THE CAR BECOMES HARD TO MANAGE. ACCIDENTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WHEN THE DRIVER CAN'T MAKE TIMELY ADJUSTMENTS TO COURSE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10506021
46,000 miles · Aug 7, 2012
Steering
THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN TEMPS ARE ABOVE 90 DEGREES. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE THERE IS A QUICK OVER STEER AT THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TRY AND CORRECT WHICH THEN CAUSES A REVERSE OVER STEER. THIS P…
Read full complaint
THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN TEMPS ARE ABOVE 90 DEGREES. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE THERE IS A QUICK OVER STEER AT THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TRY AND CORRECT WHICH THEN CAUSES A REVERSE OVER STEER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS TO NHTSA AND BMWNA BUT IGNORED OR VIEWED AS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I BEG TO DIFFER. I'VE EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND THE CAUSE AND AFFECT OF THIS STEERING ISSUE WHEN TRYING TO AVOID AN OBJECT ON THE HIGHWAY THAT ONLY REQUIRED A RELATIVELY EASY TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE "STICKY STEERING" THE MINOR MANEUVER BECAME A MAJOR CONTROL ISSUE TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO A NORMAL STEERING PATH. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT BMW Z MODEL OWNERS AS "STICKY STEERING". I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS. WHY IS THIS ISSUE NOT BEING ADDRESSED. IT IS SO WIDE SPREAD AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469559
69,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS (50-70 MPH). USUALLY THE ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466331
43,000 miles · May 29, 2012
Steering
STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO 'DETENT' IN ONE POSITION UNTIL MOVED TO ANOTHER POSITION. STEERING RESPONSE IS NOT SMOOTH AND LINEAR. VEHICLE STEERING IS 'DARTY' AND UNPREDICTABLE - MORE PRONOUNCED ON CROWNED ROADS. LANE CONTROL IS DIFFICULT AND REQUIRES CONSTANT STEER / COUNTER STEER TO PREVENT LANE EXCURSIONS. HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATU…
Read full complaint
STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO 'DETENT' IN ONE POSITION UNTIL MOVED TO ANOTHER POSITION. STEERING RESPONSE IS NOT SMOOTH AND LINEAR. VEHICLE STEERING IS 'DARTY' AND UNPREDICTABLE - MORE PRONOUNCED ON CROWNED ROADS. LANE CONTROL IS DIFFICULT AND REQUIRES CONSTANT STEER / COUNTER STEER TO PREVENT LANE EXCURSIONS. HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES TEND TO COMPOUND / AMPLIFY PROBLEM. VEHICLE BUILD DATE IS 05 / 2006. *TR
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.
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
1
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.
2006 BMW Z4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration