2007 BMW Z4 Problems

CASE NUMBER [XXX] FROM FARS 2012 DATABASE. CAR RAN OFF RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY WHILE NEGOTIATING CURVE IN ROAD AND HIT A TREE. SOLE-OCCUPANT DRIVER PERISHED IN SUBSEQUENT FIRE. SIX MONTHS BEFORE ACCIDENT, VICTIM REPORTED THAT CAR "OCCASIONALLY POPS AND/OR SQUEAKS WHEN CORNERING" IN REQUEST FOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH STEVENS CREEK BMW. PLS NOTE THAT LAT/LONG IN FARS CONTRADICTS REPORT THAT ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON CENTRAL EXPWY EASTBOUND IMMEDIATELY EAST OF BERNARDO AVE. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

POWER STEERING IS RIGID AT ROAD SPEEDS. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A $4400 STEERING ESP UNIT. CAR DAD 3700 MILES NOT IT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

The contact owns a 2007 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2007 BMW Z4. The contact stated that after driving in the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes, he would become disoriented, experienced headaches, and blurred vision. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the muffler welding material had deteriorated and was damaged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure and indicated that no exhaust leak was present. The contact later received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 9,200. This is in regards to the complaint that consumer made about an overlooked exhaust leak and a PCV valve recall by BMW. Consumer had an exhaust leak on my car a little more than three years ago and had the exhaust replaced… The exhaust and the muffler on it are only about 3 years old. It's already being corroded through.

'AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED ACCORDING TO CARFAX HISTORY. I WAS COMMUTING HOME, WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD FALLEN ON TO MY CAR BECAUSE THE DASH DID NOT EXPLODE. REVERALING THE AIRBAG. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I WASN'T ABLE TO START THE CAR GIVEN THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL DISENGAGED. I AM LUCKY THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, OR EVEN DEPLOY WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS PERIODICALLY ON HIGHWAY AND IN CITY. WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED AND WHEN STATIONARY AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW MILES THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WHILE IN MOTION AT HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE ENGINE STUTTERS BADLY BUT DOES NOT TURN OFF. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE TUNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, AND THEN THE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND I'M ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK OIL ONTO THE ENGINE. THE WORST WAS FRONT OF THE ENGINE WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE: SEATBELTS DON'T RETRACT AUTOMATICALLY AND ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. BOTH E-KEYS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND NOT ABLE TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR EN. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE CIG LIGHTER AND SEAT WARMERS ARE WORKING FINE. THE THERMOSTAT WARNING COMES ON BUT IN GAUGE IS NOT SHOWING ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE. BOTH THE HEAT AND THE AC WORK FINE WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

LOW BATTERY SITUATION OVER THE WINTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIP INTO "TRANSPORT MODE" WHERE THE AC, DEFROSTER, AND FAN SPEED WILL NOT WORK. THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS VISIBILITY SITUATION DUE TO THE DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE TRANSPORT MODE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DISABLED WHEN THE CAR IS DELIVERED TO THE US BUT SOME DEALERS MISTAKENLY TURN IT OFF RATHER THAN DISABLE IT. TO DISABLE IT YOU MUST RETURN IT TO THE DEALER AND PAY FOR A HIGH SERVICE VISIT FOR A FEW MOMENTS OF PROGRAMMING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK AND WINDOW FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,800.

DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT QUIT WORKING WHEN IGNITION WAS TURNED ON. HEADLIGHT WAS WORKING FINE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. BLOWN LIGHT INDICATOR ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER APPEARED. WHEN CHANGING OUT THE LIGHT I DISCOVERED ALL THE WIRES INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ENCLOSURE WERE DAMAGED DUE TO HEAT. ALL OF THE WIRES INSULATION WAS DRY ROTTED , SECTIONS OF THE INSULATION BROKEN OFF OF THE WIRES AND SHORTED OUT TOGETHER. I HAVE MANY YEARS OF VEHICLE WIRING TROUBLESHOOTING AND DESIGN. THE WIRES IN THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT HAVE THE APPROPRIATE JACKET RATING FOR THE HEADLIGHT LOCATION WHERE THEY WERE INSTALLED BY BMW. I BELIEVE THE HEAT FROM THE HEADLIGHTS DRIED OUT AND MADE THE WIRE JACKET BRITTLE. AFTER INVESTIGATION OF THE LEFT HEADLIGHT HOUSING BOTH HEADLIGHTS REQUIRE THE INTERNAL HARNESS OF EACH HEADLIGHT TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HEAT AND DRY ROT. THE SHORTING OF THE WIRES ONLY BLEW MY HEADLIGHT BULB AND NOT THE FUSE IN THE SYSTEM. THIS COULD BE THE REASON FOR THE OTHER PERSONS COMPLAINED ABOUT THEIR HEADLIGHTS TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING. IF LEFT UNCHECKED THIS COULD CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS IN THE CARS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND BE DANGEROUS IF THE LIGHTS SHORTED OUT DURING A NIGHT DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FLICKER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. *TR

WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS PERIODICALLY ON HIGHWAY AND IN CITY. WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED AND WHEN STATIONARY AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW MILES THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WHILE IN MOTION AT HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE ENGINE STUTTERS BADLY BUT DOES NOT TURN OFF. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE TUNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, AND THEN THE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND I'M ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK OIL ONTO THE ENGINE. THE WORST WAS FRONT OF THE ENGINE WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE: SEATBELTS DON'T RETRACT AUTOMATICALLY AND ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. BOTH E-KEYS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND NOT ABLE TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR EN. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE CIG LIGHTER AND SEAT WARMERS ARE WORKING FINE. THE THERMOSTAT WARNING COMES ON BUT IN GAUGE IS NOT SHOWING ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE. BOTH THE HEAT AND THE AC WORK FINE WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

ABS, BRAKE, DSC ANNUNCIATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING ABS ACTIVATION DURING COLD WEATHER (10-12 DEG. F). FAULT CODE IS 5DF0, 5DF1 DSC HYDRAULIC UNIT PUMP MOTOR. VERIFIED ABS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE FOLLOWING SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL: ABS, DSC, DTC, CBC, EBD, BRAKE ASSIST, BRAKE DRYING. DSC UNIT PART COST IS OVER $2700.

1. REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT LOOSENS OVER TIME. 2. REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT MAY FALL OFF IF NOT TIGHTENED EVERY ~5K MILES. ADVERSELY AFFECTS VEHICLE HANDLING, ESPECIALLY IN EMERGENCY MANEUVERS. NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN VEHICLE UNDERSTEER, 3. REPLACED REAR SWAY BAR MOUNT (IT HAD FALLEN OFF) AND USED LOCTITE ON BOLTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERS LEFT AND RIGHT SPORADICALLY. WHEN HE APPLIES PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WILL ABRUPTLY PULL TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE POSSIBLY CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500. UPDATED 05/27/08 *BF UPDATED 05/27/08

A TRACTOR TRAILER HIT MY CAR, A BMW Z4 CONVERTIBLE, CT LICENSE PLATE, IN THE REAR LEFT, AS I WAS MOVING SLOWLY WITH TRAFFIC JUST BEFORE THE OVERPASS, RIGHT BEFORE I HIT THE TAPPANZEE BRIDGE AS I WAS HEADING TO NJ ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 2014, SOMETIME BETWEEN 11:50-1230PM. I BELIEVE IT WAS CLOSE OR ABOUT 12:20PM.MY HEAD SLAMMED VIOLENTLY AGAINST THE TOP OF THE WHEEL FROM THE IMPACT.I LOOKED BACK AFTER BEING HIT AND THE DRIVER AGREED TO PULL OVER WHEN THERE WAS ROOM FOR HIM AFTER GOING OVER THE BRIDGE TO EXCHANGE INSURANCE INFORMATION. I WROTE DOWN HIS LICENSE PLATE , IT WAS TENNESSEE U514217.I BELIEVE THE # OF THE TRUCK WAS 5318. THE DRIVER WAS A WHITE MALE, ABOUT 40-45YEAR OF AGE.AFTER I SPED IN FRONT, I PULLED OVER JUST OVER THE BRIDGE TO THE RIGHT WHERE CONSTRUCTION WAS TAKING PLACE AND I WAITED FOR THE TRUCK TO PULL IN BEHIND ME. THE TRUCKER PULLED UP TO THE LEFT OF MY CAR WHILE HE WAS STILL IN THE FIRST LANE, AND HE WAS MOVING AT A SNAIL'S PACE; HIS WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN AND HE STARED ME IN THE FACE, CURLED HIS RIGHT HAND INTO A FIST, PUT IT UP TO HIS NECK, RAISED HIS RIGHT THUMB, AND DRAGGED HIS RIGHT HAND ACROSS HIS NECK AS IF TO SAY HE'D CUT MY THROAT. HE THEN YELLED, "I GOT SOMEWHERE TO BE! DO YOU WANT ME TO DRIVE BACK UP HERE AFTER WE EXCHANGE PERSONAL INFORMATION, COME TO WHERE YOU LIVE, AND CUT YOUR THROAT!" HE HAD DRIVEN PAST ME.I HESITATED. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. , I GOT A CAT SCAN AND HAD MY HEAD WOUND LOOKED AT, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SEVERE BRUISE TO THE HEAD AND RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY I WAS FEELING FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THE HIT AND RUN THREAT. A MONTH HAS PASSED AND I AM STILL FEELING ANXIETY OVER THIS; NOT TO MENTION MY CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED.I AM LOOKING TO FIND THE DRIVER WHO HIT MY CAR AND CAUSED ME THE WOUND AND CONSTANT ANXIETY I NOW SUFFER. *TR

HYDRAULIC CLUTCH RESTRICTER VALVE CAUSES CLUTCH TO SLIP ALL THE TIME. BOUGHT THE CAR WITH 43,000 MILES ON IT AND AT 54,000 MILES THE CLUTCH IS GONE AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY OR RECALL AVAILABLE. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE CLUTCH WENT OUT AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE EVEN WHEN A DIFFERENT GEAR WAS USED. YOU COULD CHANGE GEARS, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS LET OUT.

A TRACTOR TRAILER HIT MY CAR, A BMW Z4 CONVERTIBLE, CT LICENSE PLATE, IN THE REAR LEFT, AS I WAS MOVING SLOWLY WITH TRAFFIC JUST BEFORE THE OVERPASS, RIGHT BEFORE I HIT THE TAPPANZEE BRIDGE AS I WAS HEADING TO NJ ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 2014, SOMETIME BETWEEN 11:50-1230PM. I BELIEVE IT WAS CLOSE OR ABOUT 12:20PM.MY HEAD SLAMMED VIOLENTLY AGAINST THE TOP OF THE WHEEL FROM THE IMPACT.I LOOKED BACK AFTER BEING HIT AND THE DRIVER AGREED TO PULL OVER WHEN THERE WAS ROOM FOR HIM AFTER GOING OVER THE BRIDGE TO EXCHANGE INSURANCE INFORMATION. I WROTE DOWN HIS LICENSE PLATE , IT WAS TENNESSEE U514217.I BELIEVE THE # OF THE TRUCK WAS 5318. THE DRIVER WAS A WHITE MALE, ABOUT 40-45YEAR OF AGE.AFTER I SPED IN FRONT, I PULLED OVER JUST OVER THE BRIDGE TO THE RIGHT WHERE CONSTRUCTION WAS TAKING PLACE AND I WAITED FOR THE TRUCK TO PULL IN BEHIND ME. THE TRUCKER PULLED UP TO THE LEFT OF MY CAR WHILE HE WAS STILL IN THE FIRST LANE, AND HE WAS MOVING AT A SNAIL'S PACE; HIS WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN AND HE STARED ME IN THE FACE, CURLED HIS RIGHT HAND INTO A FIST, PUT IT UP TO HIS NECK, RAISED HIS RIGHT THUMB, AND DRAGGED HIS RIGHT HAND ACROSS HIS NECK AS IF TO SAY HE'D CUT MY THROAT. HE THEN YELLED, "I GOT SOMEWHERE TO BE! DO YOU WANT ME TO DRIVE BACK UP HERE AFTER WE EXCHANGE PERSONAL INFORMATION, COME TO WHERE YOU LIVE, AND CUT YOUR THROAT!" HE HAD DRIVEN PAST ME.I HESITATED. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. , I GOT A CAT SCAN AND HAD MY HEAD WOUND LOOKED AT, AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A SEVERE BRUISE TO THE HEAD AND RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR ANXIETY I WAS FEELING FROM THE ACCIDENT AND THE HIT AND RUN THREAT. A MONTH HAS PASSED AND I AM STILL FEELING ANXIETY OVER THIS; NOT TO MENTION MY CAR HAS BEEN DAMAGED.I AM LOOKING TO FIND THE DRIVER WHO HIT MY CAR AND CAUSED ME THE WOUND AND CONSTANT ANXIETY I NOW SUFFER. *TR

LOW BATTERY SITUATION OVER THE WINTER CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIP INTO "TRANSPORT MODE" WHERE THE AC, DEFROSTER, AND FAN SPEED WILL NOT WORK. THIS CREATES A HAZARDOUS VISIBILITY SITUATION DUE TO THE DEFROSTER NOT WORKING. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE TRANSPORT MODE IS SUPPOSED TO BE DISABLED WHEN THE CAR IS DELIVERED TO THE US BUT SOME DEALERS MISTAKENLY TURN IT OFF RATHER THAN DISABLE IT. TO DISABLE IT YOU MUST RETURN IT TO THE DEALER AND PAY FOR A HIGH SERVICE VISIT FOR A FEW MOMENTS OF PROGRAMMING. *TR

ABS, BRAKE, DSC ANNUNCIATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING ABS ACTIVATION DURING COLD WEATHER (10-12 DEG. F). FAULT CODE IS 5DF0, 5DF1 DSC HYDRAULIC UNIT PUMP MOTOR. VERIFIED ABS NOT FUNCTIONAL. THE FOLLOWING SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL: ABS, DSC, DTC, CBC, EBD, BRAKE ASSIST, BRAKE DRYING. DSC UNIT PART COST IS OVER $2700.