NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
33 reports52,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper
LOW BATTERY SITUATION OVER THE WINTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIP INTO "TRANSPORT MODE" WHERE THE AC, DEFROSTER, AND FAN SPEED WILL NOT WORK. THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS VISIBILITY SITUATION DUE TO THE DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE TRANSPORT MODE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DISABLED WHEN THE CAR IS DELIVERED TO THE US BUT S…
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LOW BATTERY SITUATION OVER THE WINTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIP INTO "TRANSPORT MODE" WHERE THE AC, DEFROSTER, AND FAN SPEED WILL NOT WORK. THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS VISIBILITY SITUATION DUE TO THE DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE TRANSPORT MODE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DISABLED WHEN THE CAR IS DELIVERED TO THE US BUT SOME DEALERS MISTAKENLY TURN IT OFF RATHER THAN DISABLE IT. TO DISABLE IT YOU MUST RETURN IT TO THE DEALER AND PAY FOR A HIGH SERVICE VISIT FOR A FEW MOMENTS OF PROGRAMMING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611040
7,800 miles · Apr 29, 2014
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,800.
NHTSA ODI #10585432
49,000 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Exterior Lighting
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521087
47,000 miles · May 6, 2013
Steering
I'VE LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING IN GRAVE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE WHEEL STICKS, WHERE IT REACHES A POINT WHERE I CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHATSOEVER. THE VEHICLE BARELY HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING 30MPH LAST FALL, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO STICK AND I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO APPLY A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE …
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I'VE LOST CONTROL OF MY STEERING IN GRAVE CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE WHEEL STICKS, WHERE IT REACHES A POINT WHERE I CANNOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHATSOEVER. THE VEHICLE BARELY HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING 30MPH LAST FALL, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO STICK AND I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO APPLY A GREAT DEAL OF FORCE TO GET THE STEERING TO RESPOND. THERE IS A CONTINOUS CLICKING, ALMOST LIKE A "CLUNK" SOUND, FROM THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE STEERING SIMPLY DOES NOT RESPOND WELL AND I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE. THE LOCAL BMW DEALER SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WILL COST ME OVER $3,000. I PARKED THE CAR FOR WINTER AND RECENTLY PULLED IT BACK OUT AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510785
41,000 miles · Oct 17, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO STICK, FORCE IS NEEDED TO STEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT OR TO EVEN KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. ONCE YOU START TURNING IT SEEMS TO FEEL NORMAL UNTIL YOU START TO MOVE THE WHEEL BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION, THEN YOU REALIZE THE WHEEL IS NOW STUCK IN THIS POSITION. IT USUALLY TAKES QUIT…
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WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT, THE STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO STICK, FORCE IS NEEDED TO STEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT OR TO EVEN KEEP IT GOING STRAIGHT. ONCE YOU START TURNING IT SEEMS TO FEEL NORMAL UNTIL YOU START TO MOVE THE WHEEL BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION, THEN YOU REALIZE THE WHEEL IS NOW STUCK IN THIS POSITION. IT USUALLY TAKES QUITE A TUG TO GET IT MOVING AGAIN! IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING MORE EXTREME AND REQUIRING MORE FORCE TO MOVE THE WHEEL. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS AND HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT IT STEERED A LITTLE DIFFERENT, I JUST FIGURED IT WAS A BMW THING AND IT BEING A SMALLER CAR THAT WAS CAUSING IT TO HANDLE THIS WAY!! I DON'T THINK THAT ANY MORE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480876
51,000 miles · Jan 31, 2012
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE CONTACT PUT AN ANALYZER ON THE VEHICLE WHICH READ THAT THE STEERING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE STEERING STABILIZER HAD FAILED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD TO THE LEFT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. THE CONTACT PUT AN ANALYZER ON THE VEHICLE WHICH READ THAT THE STEERING SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE STEERING STABILIZER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA ODI #10446026
5,345 miles · Oct 4, 2011
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE FROM A PARKING SPACE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POW…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE FROM A PARKING SPACE AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING UNIT AND COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,345. UPDATED 10/19/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10428659
34,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4M. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD SNAP COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BOLTS HAD FRACTURED AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4M. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD SNAP COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BOLTS HAD FRACTURED AND THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34,000.
NHTSA ODI #10419995
35,000 miles · Jan 4, 2011
Suspension
1. REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT LOOSENS OVER TIME. 2. REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT MAY FALL OFF IF NOT TIGHTENED EVERY ~5K MILES. ADVERSELY AFFECTS VEHICLE HANDLING, ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY MANEUVERS. NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN VEHICLE UNDERSTEER, 3. REPLACED REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT (IT HAD FALLEN OFF) AND USED LOCTITE ON BOLTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10374101
24,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Steering
2007 BMW Z4, POWER STEERING WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING, MAKING CAR HARD TO STEER. CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER IS GOING TO FIX IT. ACCORDING TO INTERNET, LOTS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355229
Official recalls
2Mar 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.
Oct 30, 2017
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i 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. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗