IllustrationTHE STEERING PSEUDO-LOCKS (HAS A "TICK") AND ITS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. ONE IS CONTINUALLY FIGHTING THE STEERING TICK/LOCK TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. *TR
2006 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
90–25K
2225–50K
3650–75K
575–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
77 reports with mileage · 14 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 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 13 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 reports3 fire reports1 injury reports
Steering complaints
55 reportsON HOT DAYS, THE STEERING ON MY BMW "STICKS." THIS IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM. I JUST DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM THE MECHANIC ON A 60 MILE TRIP. THE PROBLEM CAUSES ME TO HAVE OVERSTEER AND OVER-CORRECT WHEN CHANGING LANES. IT'S INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, I NOW DRIVE WITH…
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ON HOT DAYS, THE STEERING ON MY BMW "STICKS." THIS IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM. I JUST DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM THE MECHANIC ON A 60 MILE TRIP. THE PROBLEM CAUSES ME TO HAVE OVERSTEER AND OVER-CORRECT WHEN CHANGING LANES. IT'S INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, I NOW DRIVE WITH MY FOREARMS COMPLETELY TENSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEM WHICH RESULTS IN UNDUE FATIGUE. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED TAT THE ONLY REMEDY IS AN ENTIRELY NEW STEERING RACK, IN EXCESS OF $2,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES THOUGH IT IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE, INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SOME TIME (AT LEAST 25,000 MILES) BUT I'M BEGINNING TO FEEL AT MORE AND MORE OF A RISK. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER WHEN IT FIRST BEGAN HAPPENING, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR
SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 10-020 "STICKY STEERING" OCCURS DURING PERIODS OF HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THE CAR DARTS AND WANDERS. IT IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION. AN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS AT THE CENTER POSITION AND THEDRIVER…
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SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 10-020 "STICKY STEERING" OCCURS DURING PERIODS OF HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THE CAR DARTS AND WANDERS. IT IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION. AN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS AT THE CENTER POSITION AND THEDRIVER ATTEMPTS TO MAKE SMALL STEERING ADJUSTMENTS. THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME INCIDENT SO "APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE" IS INAPPROPRIATE. IT IS CONSTANT. ALSO NOT SURE WHY THE INVESTIGATION YOU CONDUCTED LISTS ONLY '03-05 WHEN IT CLEARLY STATES IN THE INVESTIGATION THAT BMW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL JULY 2006. MY CAR IS A 2006 WITH A JUNE 2006 BUILD DATE, JUST PRIOR TO THE FIX OF THE ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW ROADSTER Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE MOVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW ROADSTER Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE MOVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OIL SEPARATOR TO AVOID A YELLOW LIQUID FROM FORMING WITHIN THE OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING PULLED TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT FENDER AND SIDES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING PULLED TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT FENDER AND SIDES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
WHEN CORNERING IN MY 2006 BMW Z4 THE ELECTRIC STEERING WILL SEEM TO STICK IN ONE POSITION THEN REQUIRING FORCE TO RELEASE, NORMALLY HAPPENS ON RAMPS AND OFF RAMPS WHEN CORNERING, CAR THEN WILL DART WHEN YOU FORCE THE WHEEL, COULD BECOME A STICKY SITUATION IF IT GETS WORSE. *TR
OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO STICK IN ONE PLACE, REQUIRING MORE THAN USUAL EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR
POWER STEERING STICKING, NOTCHY FEELING, TOOK TO DEALER, DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
2006 BMW Z4 3.0SI ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM REQUIRES REPEATED CORRECTIONS TO STAY GOING STRAIGHT DOWN ROAD. IT'S AS IS IT WILL ONLY STEER 3 DEGREES OR MORE IN EACH DIRECTION, BUT NEVER IN 1 DEGREE INCREMENTS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON VERY HOT DAYS AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE IN SUN. *TR
IN HOT WEATHER (OVER 90 DEGREES F), AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN, STEERING WILL BIND OR STICK WHEN TURNING. IT REQUIRES MORE FORCE THAN NORMAL AND DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER AS EASILY. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TAKE CORNERS SMOOTHLY. SITUATION GETS BETTER AS CAR INTERIOR COOLS. *TR
Official recalls
222V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Mar 2, 2022
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.
19V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
Apr 4, 2019
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
1EA08001 · 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.