Nine problems related to steering have been reported for the 2011 BMW Z4. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 BMW Z4 based on all problems reported for the 2011 Z4.
On 3 April 2026 I was driving my 2011 BMW Z4 sdrive 30i e89 n52k (manual transmission) that has 31,000 miles on it, suddenly a steering assistance malfunction trouble light appeared and I lost all electronic power steering. This sudden loss of steering control almost caused an accident!! then shortly thereafter the electronic power steering control returned. On April 4 I lost the steering control again and took it to a BMW repair shop. They confirmed that the problem was with the eps (electric power steering control). Upon investigation, a specific recall exists for 2012 BMW Z4 regarding the electric power steering (eps) system. (NHTSA recall campaign #12v302000: electric power steering control module. ) the recall campaign notes that, after the engine is shut off and then restarted, the eps module may function properly. In that case, the warning symbol in the instrument cluster will no longer appear, and the audible warning will not activate. However the condition may occur again. This is exactly what is occurring with my car and you never know when it will occur. The campaign covers 2012 Z4's and covered some cars manufactured in late 2011. However, the VIN for my 2011 BMW Z4 sdrive 30i e89 n52k (manual transmission) is wbalm5c58be162421 and it was manufactured in 04/2010. The eps in my 2011 BMW Z4 is exactly the same as the eps that is covered in the NHTSA recall campaign #12v302000: electric power steering control module. ) clearly my 2011 BMW Z4 should be included in this campaign which requires a 4 hr repair by a certified BMW dealer and replacement of the eps unit. For Z4 models the technicians are to refer to repair instruction 32 13 370, "removing and installing (replacing) electric steering box (eps). " e89 steering gear part # 32 10 6 855 888. Plus following parts: asa bolt (#32 10 6 773 068); hex nut (#33 32 6 768 884); torx bolt (#32 30 6 778 609); combination nut (#33 30 6 787 062). All above referenced parts were listed in the recall campaign. !.
Electrical power steering system failed, warning light came on. Vehicle suddenly became very difficult to impossible to steer. Failed to negotiate a turn and nearly hit a tree. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.
Steering assist failed almost resulting in head on collision. Failure is serious and likely to cause fatalities.
Power steering is intermittent where assist goes from working to not working changing the effort required to turn the wheel. When power assist goes off it is difficult to steer the car.
Electric power assist intermittently fails without warning making steering impossible. Similar to 2012 Z4 recall.
Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles and already having steering malfunction alerts. Steering randomly stops working and unable to turn vehicle.
Electronic power steering has intermittent faults/errors due to a manufacturing defect, resulting in complete loss of power steering. BMW acknowledged this issue and did a recall in 2012 for 2012 model year Z4's - NHTSA campaign id number: 12v302000. The scope of the problem is well beyond the 162 vehicles that were addressed with the recall in 2012.
Failed eps module while driving. On the highway going about 60mph on a 90 degree day. Eps warning light (along with parking and esc lights) popped up and steering froze. After some force could get steering to move. . . Slowed down and got off highway. Luckily was only going straight and was not passing or in a turn, very dangerous and scary. After turning the car off/on - all warning lights except eps steering reset. Car power assisted steering now randomly goes on/off. Dealer stated there is an open recall for this issue but only for the 2012 model year. Well it appears the same issue is also on the 2011 and it almost killed me. Luckily I was going straight and not passing or in a turn. Dealer also mentioned the failed module is not a reparable BMW part and the entire steering assembly needs to be replaced. . . So a very expensive invasive procedure to replace a part that can fail again on a hot day. Voltage issue apparently was fixed in the 2012 model year but not on the 2011. Nhtsa should review the recall 12v302000 as the 2011 model year apparently also has this same issue as luckily I just lived through it.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. While driving various speeds, the power steering seized and made the vehicle difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power steering mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12v302000 (steering). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 34,000.