2005 BMW Z4

ODI has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of BMW's engineering and test data.ODI found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.The agency will monitor the issue and reserves the right to take future action if warranted by the circumstances.See the attached report for additional information.In addition, during this investigation, ODI became aware of allegations of failure or loss of electric power-assisted steering on the subject vehicles.As a result, ODI is separately reviewing this issue to determine whether additional agency action is needed.

BMW IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MY04 THROUGH MY06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05 TO CORRECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREMY04- 06/ 5-SERIES WITH STANDARD AND SPORT SEATS, MY04-06/ X3-SERIES AND MY06/ 3-SERIES WITH SPORT SEATS. IN ADDITION, BMW WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE OF THE PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT TO 10-YEAR/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON APPROXIMATELY 120,000 REMAINING MY04-06 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 11/30/05. THE SPECIFIC VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ARE MY 06/ 6 SERIES, MY 06/ 3-SERIES WITH STANDARD SEATS, MY04-05/ Z4, MY04-06/ 7 SERIES, MY 06/ X5, AND MY04-06/ 5-SERIES WITH COMFORT SEATS.THE AVERAGE FREQUENCY OF FAILURES AMONG THE EXTENDED WARRANTY GROUPS WAS LESS THAN 1/7TH OF THE RECALL VEHICLE GROUPS.PLEASE SEE BMW'S 08V-384 RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR FURTHER DETAILSDEPENDING ON SEAT CONFIGURATION AND VEHICLE GEOMETRY, THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT CAN FATIGUE DURING USE DEPENDING ON THE MANNER AND FREQUENCY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S ENTRY AND EXIT.SPECIFICALLY, OVER TIME, MICRO-CRACKS COULD DEVELOP IN THE SIDE FLANKS OF THE MAT CAUSING A BROKEN CIRCUIT.A BROKENCIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO THE DEACTIVATION OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE ILLUMINATION OF BOTH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT.

I have experienced the steering does a notchy or “sticky steering” issue that is quite scary from time to time as I drive the car. I looked up and found this is a widespread problem with the BMW Z4 2003-2005 models. I see there was no recall for BMW to have to mandated recall these vehicles and fix this issue. I have had this car for a 17 months and experienced this on several occasions that catches me off guard as i am driving. I am dumbfounded that there was no recall for this issue. I writing you so that before someone gets killed that you issue an immediate recall on these cars. I should not have to outlay thousands of dollars for a fix that should been the manufacturers at BMW to fix.

NHTSA ID

11774988

Incident

Sep 28, 2026

My driver side seatbelt sensor suddenly would randomly detect no seatbelt despite being buckled and then the steering wheel airbag deployed into me while I was reversing the car under 2mph. I suffered burns and bruises, hearing loss, and disorientation from the deployed airbag. I could have broke my nose, or my wrist or fingers. BMW dealership refused covering towing and inspection. BMW airbags across multiple models and years have experienced recalls and issues. Seatbelt detection sensor blinked before airbag deployed into me.

NHTSA ID

11770968

Incident

Oct 12, 2026

While moving, especially in warm weather, the steering will stick. This requires excessive force to move the steering wheel which results in a "jump" when the steering moves (breaks loose). This sudden "jump" results in vehicle moving excessively, especially scary in traffic! I have not had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic but reading various forums this appears to be a common problem with BMW Z4s.

NHTSA ID

11656879

Incident

Apr 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 BMW Z4. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, the heavy plastic interior liner panel fell on his head. The contact stated that the plastic cover was used to hide the windshield clasps that hold the convertible top in place when the convertible top was closed. The contact attempted to reattach the plastic liner however, the fasteners had fractured. The contact placed the plastic liner into the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated while driving, the rear view of the vehicle was blocked by the detached plastic liner. The contact stated that the convertible top was able to retract and return into place, but the convertible top attachment clasps and mechanism were exposed. The contact was unable to reattach the liner. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or to an independent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ID

11603228

Incident

Jul 17, 2024

Mileage

99,000 mi

The passenger air bag suddenly deployed while the car was parked in my driveway, braking the dashboard and the windshield.

NHTSA ID

11588461

Incident

May 12, 2024

Passenger airbag dash deploys while car is parked. It’s deploy from nothing.

NHTSA ID

11538263

Incident

Aug 12, 2023

Generally described as sticky steering. Steering wheel binds up and needs pressure to overcome, then released and the car overcorrects so steering is erratic. This is particularly dangerous when cornering. Issue seems temperature related and is worse in high temperatures. This is a well known problem in 2003-2005 BMW Z4. The car has been sittting in my garage for a year as it is unsafe to drive. When is the recall?

NHTSA ID

11534188

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

This 2005 BMW Z3 was bought from a dealer who sold the car to the original owner and maintained it. The car has 45,000 miles on it, and I am the second owner. I have only owned the car for one month. Yesterday was the first day of 80 degree weather, and the steering is now "sticking". It will not track in a straight line and needs constant corrections from side to side to compensate for the problem. If you do not pay close attention and correct the steering input, you will go off the road. I have now read about others with the same problem, and that BMW is aware of its design flaw. There should be a recall issued for them to correct the problem. My understanding is that it is a costly repair, and it will most likely reoccur after the fix. Needless to say, I am very disappointed with the dealer as I feel they knowingly sold me this car with the steering problem. We are in the south, so warm weather for nine months out of the year is common.

NHTSA ID

11507748

Incident

Feb 16, 2023

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If the ignition is cycled the engine then usually performs normally.