44 problems related to steering column have been reported for the 2003 BMW Z4. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Vehicle has electric power steering. Intermittently, and without warning, power assist unit fails. Consequently, driver must use a firm grip and substantial force to control vehicle, especially at slower speeds. Unit fails either at engine start or while driving. Vehicle has only 45,000 miles. Steering torque fault was cleared during diagnostic check by independent BMW technician but fault has since recurred. Nearest authorized BMW service center also has checked vehicle. Owner was informed that fix would require replacement of upper steering column at cost to owner of $2,360 plus diagnostic fee. BMW north american contacted for assistance. They, in concert with the dealer, declined to offer any financial assistance to owner to replace defective components. Problem remains unresolved. Owner feels this vehicle has a defective part which creates a significant highway safety risk, especially to those unsuspecting of the potential fault. Date of incident below is first occurrence of problem, while owner was pulling into a parking spot.
Sticky steering when the car is warm or ambient temperature is greater than about 75 or 80f. As the temperature increases, the car is more difficult to steer smoothly. It experience a stick/slip behavior which causes continual over corrections. This has been a known issue for years. I have noticed the steering issue since buying it second hand in 2007. BMW dealership says the only way to fix it is to replace the entire steering column at my expense. I won't let anyone drive the car in warm weather.
My 2003 BMW Z4 should have initially been recalled for defective steering. From the first day I had it, the steering would periodically act up and made the car dangerous to drive. When I brought it in to be fixed I was charged $3001. 31 to align the wheels, change the steering rack, replace a tire, two wheels, and some suspension components, and then another $150 alignment. (perhaps some of these components actually needed replacement, but I have my doubts. ) you know what that didn't fix the steering which I finally traced to acting up on hot days. And the car drove exactly the same as it did before the "repairs. " after doing some on-line research I discovered that others had this problem and that BMW had a solution all along. But was my car recalled and fixed? no. I found the actual part number of the new steering column and I had to insist on a free repair even though it was out of warranty. That fixed it fine, but why did I have to go through all this and spend $3001. 31 when BMW knew there was a problem in the 2003 model and redesigned the steering column for the subsequent model years? my initial complain was on 08/18/06 at 23023 miles and my subsequent complaint was on 04/28/08 at 28274 miles. . Read more...
From day one I had airbag problem for the passenger side. Air bag never worked. BMW had recall and extended warranty for 10 years, but they don't accept responsibility steering column has problems too.
Auto was exhibiting a knocking sound when approaching a full lock position. Dealer upon second complaint replaced the "lower steering column joint assembly part # 32-30-6-769-265". After the parts replacement the steering of the car has been noticeably impaired and exhibits steering that is very vague and exhibits a looseness on rough roads or during sharp turns such as parking or a u-turn. Dealership states that there are appropriate technical bulletins but chose not to release information in them. Car is parked awaiting BMW regional technical service inspection.
I previously submitted a complaint with confirmation number 10135197. Since submitting that complaint, I have been on BMW related message boards and discovered the problem with high temperature "sticking" steering on 2003 BMW z-4 roadsters is not only well known to BMW, but they have come up with a repair. Unfortunately, BMW is not recalling, not notifying and they are insisting that a car owner wait until a complete part failure that can be verified at the dealer to take any action under the car warranty. This problem comes and goes with outside heat. A dealership is not always around to verify the issue. I have talked with BMW USA headquarters in new jersey and they throw me back to the dealer. If you took what BMW USA says at face value, they have no control over this issue. That is not turning out to be the case. Unfortunately, the dealer says they cannot act without BMW authorization and that requires the replacement of a verifiable failed part. The dealer is caught in the middle. There has been nothing but double talk from the people in new jersey at BMW headquarters. The internet postings on this problem indicate how severe the issue is. The problem is world wide on 2003 z-4's. It occurs in high outside temperatures and can, according to some postings, come on with no notice at high speeds. One driver described how he narrowly averted putting his car into the center divider of a highway. Feel free to check these boards, one of them is "roadfly. Com" where a whole thread exists to discuss this problem. Another is "z4um. Com. " apparently the entire steering column must be replaced with one updated from original specs. The part number is 32-30-6-766-486. It is dangerous, unsafe and a risk of life for people to be driving these cars when the steering wheel handling hardens and control of the car is placed in jeopardy. BMW should be required to recall all of these cars and replace the defective part with the improved one.
When vehicle is in the sun and heats up the steering becomes sticky, making it difficult to maintain correct alignment on roadway. Over steering occurs and gives impression of weaving while crossing into oncoming traffic. Near miss of other vehicle occurred. This sticking has occurred on several occasions each summer in warm to hot weather.
Steering become - notchy/sticky. This makes small steering corrections very difficult during highway driving. The problem seems to be temperature related in my case. With colder the outside temperatures, the behavior is delayed until the a longer driving duration has occurred. This problem was evident within one year of my purchase. I did not notice it very often, since I was only driving to and from my work, low mileage and short times. As I have now been driving the car more often, I have found this problem evident on all trip. I have reported this to the BMW dealership where I purchased the car (new). They informed me that I would need a complete steering column replacement at my expense (approximately $4000). The also suggested that I contact BMW customer service. I did and basically got a null response. The car has always been well maintained, no accidents, parked in a garage and has less than 57000 miles. The warranty of course has expired. I cannot believe that the solution to my problem is due to any type of normal wear and age. I have also found that there are now numerous reports of the same steering issue. The car is drivable, however with extreme caution at highway speeds. The issue is control of the car at highway speeds - when changing lanes or even attempting to maintain a straight path within the lanes. As the temperatures increase in longer drives, the steering difficulty becomes worse. When the problems starts, the smallest control corrections for the steering is more than 5 degrees. This causes a large effect on the cars path and making it nearly impossible to drive in a straight line when attempting to stay in the driving lane. I would like BMW to correct this problem at their expense. In my view, this is a design defect introduced by BMW.
The vehicle was turned off to fill with gas, when the vehicle was turned back on, the steering had gone out. The dealer had replaced the steering column gear and reprogrammed the eps and the lws with the cip v 7. 0. Mr scc.