general problems of the 2004 BMW Z4 - part 2

While driving, the steering wheel sticks in position. It will break loose with very little force. But very irritating. I feel it is a safety concern.

Driving on interstate 70 in MD went to go around a bend in road steering wheel didn't want to turn. I had to jerk the wheel to make the bend thus making me almost hit car beside me. From what I have read this is a known problem by BMW but in 14 years no recall is insane. I am now scared to drive this thing out on a highway again. How many people have to die for this to get fixed.

While driving the steering �sticks� and requires considerable force to overcome to stay on the road. Several near incidents when it finally un sticks and goes to far in the other direction. . Accident waiting to happen. This problem has been going on for quite some time and just keep getting worse.

Steering feels like it locks up temporarily or sticks when driving. When the wheels is in a position, like normal driving in a straight line, any movement of the wheel is met with resistance, requiring a lot of force to initiate any movement. Because of this I can't even let my wife drive the car anymore. It is very unsettling when driving and I truly feel like this is a significant safety issue. Because of the excessive for needed to initiate steering wheel rotation, the result is unwanted lane movement and potentially unwanted lane departure. My research indicates this is a known problem. My car has less than 85k miles and is in excellent condition otherwise. BMW needs to stand behind this increasingly hazardous design flaw and fix this car. I own three Bmws and very pleased with their acknowledgement of other known issues. This steering issue is a safety issue and corrective action is needed. This is a design flaw. Please make your best effort to have BMW initiate corrective action. Thank you and please know your work is appreciated.

Steering feels detented, won't return to center and is difficult to manage on a curving road. Very "sticky". Many testimonials on the internet relating to this issue. Must be a known problem.

Steering vehicle is not easy to stay straight and in lane. Does not feel like in control of car. Tires are ok and had alignment. Very noticeable on highway.

Sticky steering at higher straight-line speeds unsafe to drive!.

Anytime ambient temperature is over 80 degrees. Excessive force is required to maintain steering control of vehicle. Vehicle is unsafe to drive.

Steering is "sticky" and can cause me to swerve out of my lane while driving.

Steering is unstable. Car keeps pulling to the left or to the right. It requires constant adjustments so that I could keep the car aligned, or centered on the road, especially on the highway.

The steering sticks left then to the right. Car is very hard to drive safely. The car sits in the garage most of time because of this. Help!!.

While driving at highway speeds the steering becomes stiff and sticky causing decreased responsiveness on control of the vehicle. As a result it takes extra effort on traveling in a straight line. Once the sticking is released could cause the driver to overcompensate the steering in one direction or another. I feel this is a major safety concern that needs immediate attention.

The steering wheel sticks while driving. Takes a lot of force to align the car with the road. This is very dangerous. The dealer quoted 4000 to fix.

In hot temperatures or after driving continuous for awhile, the steering becomes hard to steer like their is a hitch when turning the wheel or a force working against you. Car only has 40000 miles and was serviced every 5000 miles. Took to local BMW dealer and was told it was the rack with repair being $1500. Was not told this was under investigation for a recall. In motion when happens and appears to be dangerous. Has happened numerous times.

The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

The steering wheel seems to have a catch in it when driving and you turn the steering wheel either right or left. When you driving and are going from lane to lane or around a curve it will stick. This could cause the driver to jerk the steering wheel and cause the car to go off the road or into the path of another vehicle . Looked the problem up on the BMW form and there were over 120 other steering complaints on this same year and model of car. There should be a recall to repair this problem before there is a bad accident.

Steering sticks and requires force to alter steering path. This problem is most noticeable in warmer conditions. I purchased my Z4 with only 64,000 miles from a private seller. Issue with steering was not disclosed and was not noticed during test drive. However, I have since researched this problem on line and have learned that this problem is well known and an issued for many BMW Z4 owners prior to 2006. This a huge safety concern for me, and should be for BMW as well. I am fairly certain that I am not the first person to report this issue but to my knowledge, not much has been done to address the issue. Please advise as to what has been done to date to correct this issue, and what are my options to get this resolved for me personally. Sincerely, jeffrey b. Bellelo.

In hot weather, the car steering gets "sticky" or hard to make smooth little adjustments when travelling on highways going straight. It's mostly noticeable when travelling on 55mph or higher roads, but somewhat in town too. It makes travelling in the middle of your own lane harder, more likely to wander before you increase your effort on the steering wheel. When in cold weather, the electric power steering is excellent and very easy to keep the car exactly on track with ease. When I read the reports on the BMW club sites and forums, I find that this a very common problem with BMW Z4's of the 2003 to later versions. Please institute a recall before people get hurt of killed, thanks.

In warmer weather, the steering becomes "sticky". It seems to be more prevalent while driving on the highway. Very difficult to correct the steering while driving. It's not smooth as it should be. Very dangerous and not fun to drive! I've read a lot of complaints regarding this same issue. Just google it! sounds like a very common problem.

Sticky steering during warm weather. Can either stick where you have to force it to turn and follow highway road or becomes sloppy and weaves from side to side within lane. Neither should be happening with this expensive car. This is a known problem with many complaints, BMW needs to step up and take responsibility before deaths and damage occur. This problem started in 2011,intermittent problem, granted there are more miles on this car and five years, the problem has not gone anywhere, it's still here. Recall these cars.

When driving in warm weather, the steering becomes stiff. When driving down the highway the wheel sticks in the center. You have to force the wheel to turn. Then after you turn the wheel you have to force the wheel back to center, having to be careful not to over correct and entering the lane next you. I am understanding that many other BMW consumers are having the same issue. It is very dangerous.

Steering wheel binds and is difficult to turn while driving at any speed. It happens mostly when the car is warm from the sun or after it warms up from driving. The steering wheel has to be forced to turn to overcome the notchy lockup condition. The car then veers off track. The steering never returns to center so the car continuously wanders back and forth. Internet searches produce many vehicles with this issue, but no recall has been performed. This is a gross safety issue and should be corrected by the manufacturer prior to deaths caused by this safety issue.

The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. While driving 10 mph, the eps light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.

The car has a dangerous sticky steering problem. Very notchy steering, difficult to keep on the road. Many complaints have been filed.

Steering sticks and almost cause accident. Car is like new and it a shame I cant enjoy car because steering issue with BMW Z4 steering. I cant afford the dealer price to fix a car defect.

When the weather gets warm say around 80 degrees driving down the road say 45 mph the steering sticks very bad to the point you can kill yourself.

The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized and became very difficult to turn. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Steering was noticed to be "notchy" while driving at highway speeds. Seems like steering is caught on something then breaks free. Initially thought is was low power steering fluid, but discovered this vehicle has electrical power steering. Further testing showed it happens at all speeds. The steering can become difficult to move and over-corrections occur when it breaks free. Fortunately no accidents occurred, although it is very possible that it could easily happen.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at 60 mph the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was unable to be driven when the incident happened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 94,000. Sl.

I have noticed on warm days the steering becomes sticky as if the power steering is coming on and off. This causes a over controlling of the car and makes it difficult to drive. I felt very unsafe. I took the car to BMW roadshow at memphis and was told the problem was the electric steering unit and will cost $4000 to repair. I researched the internet and was shocked at the number of complaints going back as far as 2009. I called BMW customer service and was told that it was not their problem. Someone is going to get hurt if it has not already happened. BMW knows of this problem and has correct it in later models and they know how it fix the issue. It appears this is an age relate issue, not mileage, and these cars,2003-2005 are out of warranty. In my research I see that NHTSA is aware of this problem but has closed the issue. This is a safety issue and this investigation needs to be reopened.

With less than 75000 miles the power steering is completely gone and the dealer says over 5000 dollars to repair.

When driving the vehicle the steering constantly gets stuck on the left side and you have to straighten the car by pulling the wheel firmly to the right causing over correction. You have to constantly fight the steering wheel to keep the vehicle straight. Very dangerous and irritating.

Steering sticks normally in a straight line driving situation. One has to apply force to unstick steering.

Steering becomes tight and sticky ,hard to make it track straight. Will not return to center after making a turn.

Vehicle steering wheel locks. Driving on highway makes driving very stressful. Calles BMW and they have no recall on this vehicle.