Comments on: Steering Problems for BMW Z4 in the U.S.

By: Janet

Janet — Sun, 29 Dec 2019 19:23:00 +0000

I have a 2005 BMW Z4. I purchased it in 2013. I don’t drive it all years round due to living in Pittsburgh which is seasonal. I noticed the locking quality which results in having to constantly readjust the steering in order to drive straight – it pulls one side or the other and when adjusted, often resists and then suddenly adjusts with a jerk which is very alarming and I must then readjust or I will be too far the other direction. Yes. This is very upsetting, frightening and also not safe in any way. I would like BMW to get serious about the legal ramifications if they don’t appropriately recall this and correct it. Let this be my testimony to a problem that happens each time I drive it and it tends to differ per temperature. I never realized that anyone else had this problem until I recently googled it. Wow. Wake up BMW corporate!!! Do the right and safe thing for your customers.

By: David Woodard

David Woodard — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 20:01:34 +0000

My pristine Z4 just started having the same problem. I took it out in the driveway to clean and check everything as I haven’t driven it in ten months. Was fine backing out but when I started and tried to move it back I could barely turn the steering wheel.. car is thirteen years old, 2007 with only 20,080 miles. Is there a recall? I had to replace my ABS unit at 14,000 miles. I baby this car and hate to let it go.

By: Jeff Turner

Jeff Turner — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 02:10:10 +0000

Purchased 2003 Z4 a couple of days ago. My wife noticed the steering sticking when coming home from work. Car had been sitting in the sun in parking lot at work. Filed complaint with NHTSA after I found this thread. Shame on BMW.

By: David E Stalnaker

David E Stalnaker — Sun, 24 Mar 2019 04:16:52 +0000

I purchased a 2004 BMW Z4 with 38,000 miles shown on the odometer. Steering was fine during test drive. After purchase and the drive home I noticed the steering seemed to stick at times and required extra effort to control. After reading comments from other owners describing the same problem I can’t believe this car hasn’t been recalled to fix the obvious problem.

By: David E Stalnaker

David E Stalnaker — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 02:34:22 +0000

Purchased a 2004 BMW Z 4 today withe 38000 miles on the odometer. On the way home the steering started to stick and more than normal effort to free up. I love this car but don’t want to drive until problem is fixed.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 17:57:54 +0000

I have an 04′ that started notchy steering in the spring of 18. It is ridiculous BMW does not acknowledge this obviously dangerous design flaw. I took it to my mechanic who has been searching for a used steering column for $800 plus labor instead of paying $3500 plus for new. Has anyone used ECUTesting in England to rebuild theirs with success? They offer a lifetime warranty but I am guessing it is on the motor and not the unprotected bearing that appears to be the cause of this failure. 2.5 automatic Maldives Blue…..it was a dream, now it is unusable.

By: Melissa D

Melissa D — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 13:20:35 +0000

I’ve been having this problem for a couple years! I have an ’05 z4 that I bought in ’08. Doesn’t even have 40,000 miles on it. Mine is weird though because it doesn’t stick every time that I drive it. It seems to be at its worst on really hot days. I can pull it out of the garage and it’s fine, 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, this last time, I had to turn the wheel back & forth to drive straight. I really wish there was a recall on it because at this point in my life, I can’t afford to trade it for a new one and I really love my girl

By: Mike M

Mike M — Thu, 26 Jul 2018 20:06:00 +0000

Thanks to you all for all these helpful information. This is my first time to blog too.
I have already spent $500 fixing my front end suspension and the problem has not gone away. I’ll probably go on spending more if I did not find this blog on this particular issue. My 2003 BMW Z4 has exactly the same sticky steering problem as described by everyone in this blog. I got it only last year with 58,000 miles on it and just driven it several thousand miles and started getting this sticky steering issue making it so hard to drive it straight. This definitely is a rip-off.
Same here, I’ll probably garage it as it’s too dangerous to drive it and too costly to spend on a temporary fix.
I will file a complaint at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/ .
To those who have filed a complaint, has anyone received any response?
Thanks everyone for all the helpful info!

By: James Boswell

James Boswell — Sun, 24 Jun 2018 03:57:19 +0000

Ditto to all of the posts about sticky steering. My wife’s ’04 Z4 just sits as it’s scary to drive in hot weather. Less than 50K miles on it and will probably stay that way. This is our second and last BMW. I have a 22 year old Toyota 4Runner with close to 300K and have spent less than 5% of what we’ve spent on this piece of junk. Vanos hose… replaced, starter… replaced, door lock actuator… replaced, valve cover gasket… replaced. Boycott anything German.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 12:09:04 +0000

I have a 2005 Z4 3.0i sport/premium package bought new, now with 51,000 miles. The other day the car sat outside for the day in about 80 degree weather, and when I got in to drive home steering was sticking, especially while turning and returning to the straight position. Next morning it was cooler and it drove fine. After reading articles here I thought I would call BMW, which I did, and was told there is not a recall for this problem and that the car was too old to be considered for financial assistance to pay for a new steering column. There was no concern for the safety of users of this vehicle.