Eight problems related to power steering light on have been reported for the 2003 BMW Z4. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
When turning at low speeds, like into parking spots, the steering will lock up, cut power to head lights, radio. This is intermittent. First started at 70k miles, now at 90k miles the steering column is pretty much dead. Also after these hiccups happen my car wont turn over when I try to start it up. I wait a couple minutes and it'll start up then . Stay away from this car or any early model BMW with electric power steering. BMW also doesn't want to own up to their lack of engineering and recall this total pile of crap. . . Tisk. . Tisk.
Since owning the car in florida I notice that the steering will get sticky when left I the sun on hot days. With out using a sun shield in the wind screen. I took it in several times and the dealer said they could not find a problem now a steering light came on and they are telling me that it needs a column costing $5000.
At low speeds (under 20mph) steering is very light and smooth, no issues at all. As speed increases, the steering gets heavier (as it should) but develops a "detent" at straight center. The faster the speed, the more effort needed to overcome the detent resistance, to the point that it becomes easy to oversteer the car. This can be real scary during avoidance maneuvers and quick lane changes.
Suddenly unable to steer. When moving it was very hard to steer. When stopped at a red light it was again unable to steer. But again was very hard to steer when moving as well. Steering light came on. Problem is intermittent. Getting worse. Turn off and restart engine and the problem goes away for a short while then returns. Seems to be a very dangerous issue.
My steering wheel light goes on then the car handling becomes very difficult to control. The problem started one day on the highway. The wheel was suddenly hard. This problem happens several times a day: when I start the car and at any random time while I'm driving. I have to restart the car in order to get the power steering back (before the next failure). This is very dangerous since nothing is telling me when the next issue is going to happen. I'm always scared to make a turn or to change lanes.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. While traveling 20 mph and attempting a left turn, the power steering warning light illuminated as the power steering assist simultaneously failed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer yet the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 66,000.
When my 2003 BMW Z4 is left out in the sun during the summer months, it is very hard to drive and almost non-responsive. Additionally at times the electric power steering indicator light will come on, resulting in the loss of power steering control (and the shutoff of other electrical equipment in the car). This typically is only for a few seconds, however that can be extremely dangerous.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. While traveling 10 mph the contact noticed that the steering wheel will suddenly lock and that the power steering warning light would appear on the dashboard . The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The contact noticed prior that the failure tends to occur during warm weather. The failure mileages was 28000 and the current mileage was 30000.