Electric Power Assist Steering System Problems of BMW Z4

The contact owns a 2012 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering was locked in a slight left turn and he had to apply the brakes to keep the vehicle on the road. The contact was able to pull off to the left side of the highway against a jersey wall. The contact stated that a "steering wheel" yellow warning light was illuminated, and a warning bell was chiming. The contact turned the vehicle off and upon restarting the power steering functionality returned. The contact advised that as soon as he exited the highway the failure occurred again and is a recurring failure. The contact researched the failure and related it to NHTSA campaign number: 12v302000 (steering, electric power assist system). The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

See all problems of the 2011 BMW Z4 🔎.

The steering wheel gets stuck while driving and car doesn't stay in lane infact needs constant significant adjustments to keep it from accidentally getting into another lane. The issue has occurred multiple times and was an inconvenience so I didn't pay a lot of attention but it's more like a safety issue now with controlling the car becoming more and more difficult on freeways. Nhtsa has identified this issue pe10020 as not significant and I sincerely hope they investigate it further and take some serious action before it causes irreparable loss. BMW needs to own up to a manufacturing defect as its not wear and tear and fix this.

See all problems of the 2004 BMW Z4 🔎.

The steering locks up in hot weather forcing me to over compensate when driving. Once the car cools down steering feedback returns to normal.

The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. While driving approximately between 45-50 mph on normal road conditions. The steering wheel exhibited a notchy sensation. The driver was able to continue in operation. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on three separate occasions for the identical failures. The battery was replaced. The technician recommended replacement of the power steering column . The vehicle has not been repaired at this time. The failure mileage was 8,000. The current mileage was 18,000. Updated 01/12/10. Updated 01/13/10.

Steering locks, resist, jerks, and stiffens up on hot days. This day my steering almost completely locked while changing lanes on the highway. I was across two extra lanes before it let go.

See all problems of the 2003 BMW Z4 🔎.

During hot weather (90 degrees and above) the steering becomes very heavy a sticky making it difficult to accurately steer the vehicle. The dealer states that the factory is aware of the problem but has not determined a solution even though the problem has been recognized for over a year. I don't feel that the car is entirely safe to operate when the problem occurs and the dealer a factory have been non responsive in correcting it.

When the car sits in direct sunlight for an extended period of time the steering becomes difficult to control with no center balance. The only way to correct this issue is to park the car in the shade and wait for the steering to return to normal.

While driving with top down in cold weather with heat on high, steering became sticky/notchy. I couldn't make smooth steering corrections, only course ones. After car was allowed to cool overnight, problem went away.

My BMW Z4 yr. 2004 during hot weather seems to have a steering problem. Yhe steering sticks and feel notchy, on the highway it almost caused a accident due to try ing to steer and over compinsating. Thank you.

In hot weather or after vehicle has been left in sun for a few hours steering becomes sticky and jerky. Must apply excessive force and constantly overcorrect to keep car on course. Extremely difficult to enter and exit slight turns, change lanes, etc.

2003 BMW Z4. The steering binds when the outside temperature is above 80 degrees. This is dangerous when I have to overcorrect to keep the car on the road. The dealer says that this is a know problem, but not a safety issue and there is not a fix available. This is definitely a safety issue.

In very hot hot weather the steering becomes dangerously off-center.

We have a 2003 BMW Z4, 3. 0l, auto. Ever since it was new, it has exhibited an irregularity in the (electric) steering. It only manifests itself when the outside temerature is fairly hot, say over 85 degrees. The issue is that the steering exhibits a "sticking" or "notchiness" that may be or become a safety issue for drivers if the car no longer responds to steering inputs in the same manner it does when this issue is not present. . Read more...

Problem: eps steering gets very sticky after car has sat in direct sunlight for a few hours. Minor steering corrections are nearly impossible. Problem clears up after car has been garaged for a couple hours and allowed to cool. This problem makes the car feel very unsafe to drive. I am constantly worried it might fail entirely at some point -- hopefully not while I am driving it. Problem was first noticed at the end of summer last year (2004). Car was purchased in July. This year, it has begun already (since mid-April 2005).

During exposure to high temperatures in the mid 1990's farenheit the steering becomes stiff, unresponsive with a tendency to "stick" where it is set. Only seems to occur after vehicle has sat in direct sunlight on hot days.

When my vehicle is parked in ambient temperatures exceeding roughly 85 degrees, for periods of an hour or more, the car's power steering begins to malfunction. The steering takes on an extremely heavy feel, and is often difficult to turn. Additionally, in a gentle turn, the wheel does not automatically return to the center position when it is released. The car contiunes to turn indefinitely. As long as temperatures remain high, the problem persists.

Steering problem - steering binds and locks requiring excess effort to maintain direction resulting in overcorrection and loss of control of vehicle.

When my vehicle has sat out in the 90f+ temperature for a few hours, the steering becomes almost uncontrollable in that the steering "sticks" and is no longer smooth in its rotation. To get the steering to go the other way after turning or changing lanes, you literally have to use excessive force for it to happen. My entire steering column/electronic power steering system has already been replaced and the problem still exists. I've confirmed this issue with Z4 owners across the country and am beginning to feel this is an overall design issue. Again, this is a temperature dependent issue as the car drives normally again at night or when it's not over 85 f.

1. Steering defect occurs during high ambient temperatures. 2. Steering wheel becomes heavy to turn and has a "locked on center" feel. 3. Dealer replaced power steering system. This did not fix problem.

2003 BMW Z4 with power steering failure. Consumer states that the power steering was going out intermittently but the dealer did not see any problem. Now the power steering only works intermittently and has to be replaced.