Problems with 2004 BMW Z4 STEERING

I have the "z4 sticky steering" problem which is widely documented on the internet. steering is ok when cold or at low speeds and occurs only when temperature is over 75 degrees f and at speeds over 45 mph. the steering wheel firmly resists turning (sticks) and, when enough force is applied, finally releases and turns until another sticky zone creates resistance. this makes slight steering corrections impossible and results in a zig zag rather that straight line path down the road. this is a serious safety issue since the effort level is much too high for driving at highway speed and compromises the ability to predictably control the vehicle. the effort level to overcome the stickiness in the steering wheel rotation is comparable to that required for parallel parking of an old non power steering vehicle. my wife is afraid to drive the car on the highway. i have had other cars recalled for much less significant issues than this. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. while traveling 65 mph, the contact noticed that the vehicle would sway from right to left which made it difficult to remain driving in the same lane or in a straight line. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the current and failure mileages were 84,000.

Excessive force is needed to turn wheel safely at high rate of speed. with poor road conditions, this effect is severely exaggerated!!! steering binds up when attempting to make small corrections resulting in overcorrections in either direction causing a safety hazard to both me and other vehicles if i were to cross lanes due to overcorrection situation. *tr

After purchasing the vehicle (a 2004 bmw z4 with only 34500 miles) on the way home i noticed a "sticking" in the steering wheel at highway speeds (approximately 1st week of february 2012). which of course was very disappointing being that i had only owned the car for about 30 minutes. but considering the mileage and age of the car i hoped it was because the car had been sitting for sometime. i was wrong it is becoming more and more of a problem. after very little research i've found that this is apparently a very common problem with these cars. apparently it is due to expansion of a gear in the steering column due to heat. i am very disappointed. i felt i had found a good car considering the very low mileage. i've found that many people have had to have their steering columns replaced at a cost of over 3000 dollars! this is unbelievable on a car with only 35,000 miles on it! this is definitely dangerous! for the steering wheel to "stick" and require significantly increased effort to turn is a serious danger! the danger of over correction is undeniable. after a recent short trip down the highway my forearms were very fatigued after trying to keep this car on course for just a few miles.i just wonder how many wrecks have been caused by this defect. i find it very hard to believe that a company of bmw's stature would not be doing everything within its power to correct this dangerous defect immediately. i guess someone will have to get hurt first. instead of being proactive and preventing such a disaster. or maybe they're just making too much money selling new steering columns to people who are unaware of the defect. something has to be done! *tr

The steering binds at almost any speed. i noticed it when driving straight forward. when a correction in direction is made the wheel binds until greater pressure is applied. it seems the problem is requiring even more pressure for the correction. i called bmwna and they told me they have heard nothing about this problem. i am in fear for my safety as well as others around bmw's z-4 2004. *tr

The steering becomes stuck. under highway driving conditions may cause erratic control and ultimately an accident. the steering seems to bind and needs greater pressure to free the steering itself. *tr

Vehicle bought july 2011 with 40000 miles. in december, 2011 on the return trip (200 miles each way), after a 5 hr layover, the steering on the car started to stick in the straight ahead position. when the car drifted to the left and steering needed to be corrected to the right, the steering wheel would not move until a lot of force was applied and then the car would over correct to the right, some times going on the shoulder of the road. it did not seem to be as prevalent when corrections to the left were needed. since then it has occurred on at least two other occasions, always on expressways and at speeds in excess of 50 mph. and when the temperature is above 70 degrees f. *kb

Driving on a 70 degree fall day on interstate 70, near st. louis, the steering became locked in a center position. i was traveling around 65 to 70 mph when this occurred. i had to jerk the steering wheel to get it off center to make a turn. this happened a few times before i got to my destination. jerking a steering wheel at a high rate of speed on a crowded highway is a harrowing experience and, to say the least, very unsafe and dangerous. i just purchased this car and i am truly nervous about driving this vehicle or letting my wife drive this vehicle. i have contacted the dealer and am waiting to hear back. *tr

Ever since i bought my 04 bmw z4 at 42,000 miles the steering i notchy, and sticky took back to dealer and they dont admit there is a problem. have looked up on internet and it seems to be a common well known problem with the car. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. while driving approximately 45 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. the failure occurred several times. the dealer determined that the vehicle experienced an electrical failure. the vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 20,000. updated 10/07/14*lj updated 3/23/2015 *js

When i was driving home from work today my car experienced a power steering issue where the steering wheel would "freeze" or "stick" in one place. i had to exert a lot of force on the wheel to get the steering wheel to move but when it "broke free" it turned a lot with the help of the power steering pump because i was putting so much force on the wheel to get it to move. i had a hard time keeping the car in my lane. the power steering was doing this the entire drive home of 20 miles. the car was very unsafe to drive and this issue needs to be fixed since it is a hazard. if the power steering was just not working at all, it would be okay because then at least the steering wheel would be hard to move all of the time so i could control how much i turned the steering wheel accurately. since the power steering works "intermittently" but only after i apply a lot of force on the wheel to get the wheel to break free, the car veers violently when the power steering actually does work. this problem is very common per the website and should be recalled. this failure is reported to the nhtsa on cars ranging from 15,000 miles up to over 100,000 miles. the problem from what i was reading, is more evident in cold or hot temperatures. it was 102f outside today in phoenix on my drive home. the passenger air bag seat sensor was flashing on and off when there was a passenger. the air bag malfunction light turned on after this. i do not know if the airbag will inflate if there is a passenger in the car or not. bmw states my car is not covered under the recall according to the vin but the car fits the model, make, and year of the present recall. how can my car have the same problems as the recall describes, be the same make/model/year, but not be covered under the recall? thanks for your time! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. the contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel become stiff. the steering wheel would pull to the right and the vehicle would veer toward the right as well. the dealer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. the manufactured was contacted via postal mail but the contact had not received a confirmation notice. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 51,000 and the current mileage was 53,000.

Upon starting up the bmw z4 there was noticeable play in the steering. the play in the steering is enough to so that when turning the steering wheel it is at least 4 inches from engagement right to engagement left. in addition, once there is engagement it engages with what may be described as a sticky spot after which it is necessary to keep turning the steering wheel or the steering again disengages and there is the 4 inches of play before it re-engages. while traveling down the highway it is very dangerous because when steering straight ahead the steering has the 4 inches of play making the car weave to the right or to the left and when correcting this weave the steering jerks through the sticky spot at the beginning of steering engagement and by the time the wheel is turned just enough to stay on the road in the right direction the play makes the car veer in the opposite direction. in order to drive this car on a nice highway it is necessary to constantly rapidly mover the steering wheel back and forth through the four inches of play or the car would go into on coming traffic or off the road. i would feel safer if i knew it would go off the road but the problem is play in the middle and it could go either into on coming traffic or off the road. it is quite dangerous to drive. we asked the dealership about it and were told this was a $3000 plus repair. i do not think that this manufactures defect should be a chargeable repair. i guess we will just need to wait for a crash or a recall. *tr

2004 bmw z4 3.0. steering gets very loose and one can not steer the car accurately at times. very scary when this happens and one loses all confidence n the car. *tt

My 2004 bmw z4 3.0i has difficulty with steering when the temperatures exceed 95 degrees. the car steering is "sticky" for lack of a better description. it is scary to drive home from work after it has been sitting in the sun. from what i have read, this is a failure of the steering column. *tr

Steering is sticky not allowing steering wheel to return to center. takes constant pressure to steer and keep centered. very difficult to keep in center of lane at highway speeds.

Writes: i have the same problem. 2004 bmw z4 with 23,500 miles! dealer iwill replace the steering column for a cost of $3,700! where can i find help in fixing this problem being a senior citizen on limited income the $3,700 repair bill is a problem is there a number to call bmw to issue a complaint thanks 2004 bmw z4 roadster vin the problem occurs when the outside temp get into the 90's. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6) *tt

Normal drivng. clunking sound in 2004 bmw z4 steering column. 11500 miles. nothing done to date. *kb

Bmw z4 roadster 23000 miles steering column sticks which has the possibility of causing a crash with oncoming traffic. *tt

Lack of steering control. *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. the contact stated that the steering wheel did not automatically return to the straight position after completing turns. the contact had to manually turn the steering wheel straight after turning at all speeds. the failure only occurred when the weather conditions produced temperatures of at least seventy five degrees. the vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 10,000.

Steering problems when the outside temp. is hot (85+) the steering sticks and requires considerable force to keep from running into on coming traffic or off the road i first noticed it after i bought it two weeks ago around 7-1 the car has about 50,500 miles on it

The steering has a loud popping sound when turned to the left or right. steering has become stiff. a mechanic is doing a thorough inspection and we are awaiting his final analysis of this problem. this vehicle has less than 3,000 miles but because it is a 2004, bmw will not cover this defect. please notify me if further information is needed. i do not know if the vehicle is safe to drive at this time.

What does it take to fix a 2004 bmw z4 that has notchy/sticky steering the car has 23000 miles on it appears to happen when the car is driven for 15-20 miles (is temp a problem) and why isn't there a recall on this problem this problem is very common and costly in the $3500-4000 range the steering column has to be replaced the car was purchased at bmw of chattanooga tenn in april of 2010 now i believe the car was sold to me with the steering problem it could easy cause a head on crash or you asked this bmw question on 6/24/2011 for $18. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. the contact stated was driving 25 mph when the steering column began sticking. the contact stated that the failure was intermittent. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the steering column would need replacing. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 12,500. updated 8/30/11 *cn updated 09/27/11

While operating vehicle on the highway, i encountered that the electrical power steering became stuck several times when turning the vehicle. this only seems to occur when the ambient temperature is high (<80 degrees fahrenheit), especially during the summer season. this reoccurring problem has caused several situations that could have lead to potential crashes.

My 2004 bmw z4 experiences steering problems when the weather is hot. the steering becomes sticky and difficult to manage. it returns to normal after it sits int he shade. it is extremely unsafe to drive when the weather is hot. although i am reporting this today it has been occurring off and on for over a year. i purchased the car in 2009 and do not drive it very much-5,000 miles since purchasing it. would drive more if steering was not an issue. *tr

The power steering becomes "sticky" in warm weather. there is no problem with the steering in cool weather. i keep the car in covered parking at most times making the steering only slightly sticky although enough to make freeway driving a constant state of over-correction to keep the car in a lane. on one occasion i left the car parked in full sunshine on a 100 degree day and the power steering did not work at all at highway speed making the car unsafe to drive. *tr

As i was driving on the highway when i had to turn due to a curve in the road, the steering would not return to center. i had to force the steering back to center. this almost resulted in a crash with another car. the steering is very jerky,, it sticks in one spot. until you force it where you need it to be. this same problem has now happened many times and is getting worse. it seems to happen more, the hotter the outside temperature is. *tr

After the car sits outside on a hot day when driving home on the highway between 55-60, the steering pulls to either the right or left and feels like it isn't going to unstick. it takes a lot of effort to correct the pull. it is very scary and definitely feels like something is terribly wrong with the steering. three different days after sitting in the parking lot it did this when i was driving home. never does it while driving to work in the morning from the garage and has never done it while driving in the evening or at night. we just bought the car from a different owner and of course she did not mention any problems. i am afraid to drive it to work now because it feels like it will get permanently locked up and i'll end up in the ditch. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. the contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle would pull from side to side. the contact stated that the failure would only occur during extremely high temperatures. the dealer advised that the entire steering column needed to be replaced. the contact did not take the vehicle to a dealer for a full diagnostic test. the failure mileage was 37,000. updated 7/26/13 *cn

1. steering sticks when the temp. is around 80 degrees. 2. the steering becomes very sticking or slightly locked and requires extra force to correct, which sends the car off course. it seems to happen in warmer temps and higher speeds. 3. nothing has yet to be done. i took it to the dealer but they told me they couldn't replicate it. this seems like it should be a no brainer to have a recall. it is very dangerous to have your wheel lock on you when you're traveling 55mph. *tr

Steering sticks when temperature is warm. when driving have to pull steering back to center when steering either left or right. usually occurs once temp is above 75 degrees. difficult to keep car on road, have had multiple instances when almost went off the road. extremely dangerous and have limited my driving of this vehicle due to the danger. *tr

Vehicle has a steering issue where it becomes 'sticky'; it holds very tightly to the center position and is difficult to turn. once it 'breaks free', it turns suddenly and is very difficult to control. the behavior is intermittent and tends to exhibit itself on hot days. *tr

Steering issue: while driving at various speeds and various outside temperatures, the steering will stick, and is not smooth and responsive regardless of the curve degree. the sensation is that the turning of the steering wheel is jerky and requires both hands on the wheel. this safety issue has been ongoing for several years. the car is not driven often as evidenced by mileage, 16,000.

2004 bmw z4. electric power steering on warm days will become chunky or notchy in feeling and requires excessive effort to steer the car. this can cause more steering input than is required and when the steering catches up the car can react more than intended. very dangerous and needs to be recalled even for multiple owner cars. *tr

I have an '04 bmw z4 and am having problems with the steering. i've been reading online that many other z4 owners are experiencing the same problems that i am which include; difficulty keeping the wheel straight, having to use a lot of force to make steering adjustments, and constant pulling to the right/left while driving. these problems occur every time i drive my vehicle. i recently took it to a local mechanic, who said the problem was pretty bad. i am waiting to hear his exact diagnosis and should hear from him on monday 5/23/11 as i dropped it off fri 5/20/11. i have not wrecked the vehicle due to these problems however i have had some close calls. fortunately i am a very attentive driver otherwise there may very well been an accident. *tr

Bmw z4 2004 vehicle exhibits sticky and notchy steering at high (85 or 90deg f +) outside temperature. steering becomes extremely difficult and dangerous. the issue only effects owners in locations with high temperatures and during the summer months and therefore the occurrence of the issue is intermittent and difficult to diagnose. this issue needs to become a recall as it is a very dangerous situation even if it is only happening to a minority of z4 owners. *tr

Pushed brakes hard for a near emergency stop and the vehicle careened to the right and almost ran off the road. this vehicle has had many instances of attempting to drive itself off the road, the terminology for groups with this type of car is "tramlining". i thought it odd that so many people could have the same problem that a term would be applied to the problem. i feel that this defect has the potential to cause a serious and possibly fatal accident.

My z4 is a 2004 3.0i with 22120 miles... out of nowhere my steering became less fluid and smooth. sometimes i think i don't have power steering. almost couldn't avoid being cut off by a taxi in manhattan i'm afraid i may die while driving or possibly harm others. this is my only car and i can't just wait for a recall. *tr

Steering becomes unsafe in hot weather, steering will not center, and car is very hard to control, when you turn right or left steering will stick and cause you to over steer, and causes a very dangerous situation.

Sticky steering problem making it difficult to drive. *tr

My 2004 bmw z4 steering sticks special y when driving at high speeds on the highway. i have to exert excessive pressure to correct it. it's no longer a pleasure driving my car that i love so much. *tr

My 2004 bmw z4 steering sticks when temperature is above 85f. so far it has not caused an accident, but it seems to be more frequent and happening at lower temperatures than last summer. the car has 58,000 miles. *tr

After driving the car for 20 or so minutes, when it starts to warm up, the steering wheel starts to stick. it takes a little more pressure to turn the wheel causing me to over steer and swerve a little bit. it gets worse the longer distance i have to drive. *tr

My 2004 bmw z4 experiences "stickiness" in steering. it has 59,000 miles and the problem has been gradually increasing. i have not noticed any differences in the steering response with increased ambient heat, but it does seem to be worse when at higher speeds. *tr

when you turn the steering wheel right or left it sticks when you try to turn back to center and requires extra effort to move the wheel. the problem seems to get worse when temperatures get warmer (75 degrees or higher). i'm concerned that i may not be able to turn the wheel if this problem gets worse and i'm not sure if the car is safe enough to drive, especially at higher speeds.

Reading bmw forums i read that other owners are experiencing the same problem as me.. i have a bmw 2004 z4 with 43k miles and the steering notches or sticks a lot as i drive. there seems to be a steering problem that could cause a serious wreck. are there any recalls on the problem? *tr

Steering extremely sticky when car temperature is hot. steering will not self center. *tr

Loss of electrical assisted steering/steering wheel very sluggish. *tr