2003 BMW Z4: loss of power steering

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Steering · NC

The steering in this BMW Z4 gets "sticky" in warm or hot weather. It drives fine in cold weather. The steering has to be constantly corrected as it pulls to the left. 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. On a warmer day after driving for a while I suddenly experienced a unexpected binding of the steering and almost ended up steering into oncoming traffic. This car is not safe to drive. The 2003 model has electric power steering. There are no codes or warning lights. I took the car to the local mechanic and he was easily able to reproduce the issue when he drove it less than 1 mile. This issue not only puts me at risk but others because of the constant correction of the steering to keep a straight. If you drive this car in warm or hot weather distances more than 20 miles then shut if off, then attempt to restart there is no steering at all. Please view the 2 websites listed below from BMW owners. https://automotivesblog.com/e85-e86-bmw-z4-steering-problems-how-to-fix/ https://www.carproblemzoo.com/bmw/z4/steering-problems.php One website had almost 700 complaints with the steering. I dare not let my kids behind the wheel of this car. It is not a question of "if" someone gets killed, but "when." BMW North America would only say there are no recalls. When I asked if there have been issues reported, they declined to give me that information. Please help. It would be interesting to know how many accidents were listed with the steering being the cause of the MVA. I would gladly allow someone with the federal safety agency drive this car in warm weather. Then you would see how dangerous the steering is in these vehicles.

Filed Apr 8, 2022 · Steering · NY

Car has 15,000 miles and always stored in climate controlled garage. Drove it today and within 1/2 mile the electronic power steering failed making it very, very hard to steer. Shut vehicle off and restart and the problem goes away but only for a minute or two and then returns.

Filed Nov 10, 2017 · Steering · NC

Takata recall as I was driving back home on highway the steering was stiff or hard, it makes it hard to steer to different road or a exit but when im diving on low speed uber 20mph it see like no problems. This is really dangerous for me and my family and I see many, many people also have thee same problem.

Filed Mar 3, 2017 · Steering · 58,000 miles · IN

Sudden loss of power steering assistance while in motion at highway speeds. This resulted in incorrect amounts of steering pressure being applied by two different drivers & near accidents on several occasions. Date is approximate for first occurrence.

Filed Nov 17, 2016 · Steering · 97,000 miles · CA

Steering is too unstable on straight driving. A sudden pull to the right/left and steering is not centering. Steering is stiff and hard to control.

Filed Jun 11, 2015 · Steering · 45,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw z4. The contact stated that the steering on the vehicle experienced issues once the engine had been running awhile. The steering became very stiff and it was difficult to turn. The contact stated that there were no leaks, noises, or warning lights coming from the vehicle when the failure occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 45,000. Ma 10/14 updated 10/19/2017

Filed Jul 31, 2013 · Steering · 52,763 miles · CA

Steering became difficult. When trying to turn the steering wheel it would stick or become hard to move the wheel. Then the steering wheel would stick in another position and become hard to turn again. This did not occur all the time but enough to be annoying. This problem may cause an accident.

Filed Jul 23, 2013 · Steering · 43,000 miles · GA

While driving down the highway around town, I noticed the steering becoming"sticky". It was hard to keep the car in my lane. This continued for a couple of weeks and I took the car to a bmw repair shop and was given the news that I need a new steering column with power assist and that it was going to cost about $3800. Needless to say, it is not something that you can ignore. After seeing all the problems with power steering assist I am dumbfounded as to why bmw has not brought this to owners attention. The repair costs are astronomical!!! This is ridiculous. Bmw should make owners aware of the potential problem and fix it. This will definitely be my first and last bmw.!!!!!!!

Filed Jul 22, 2013 · Steering · 110,000 miles · IN

Power steering did not move smoothly. On hot days the steering binds up. The steering wheel is hard to turn. A definite detent is felt in the steering, this detent requires extra effort to overcome, commonly causing oversteer and a back and forth track down the road. As car rolls down highway the small movements to go straight are unattainable as the steering is hard to turn as areas of higher resistance require extra force upon the steering wheel, and when the resistance is overcome the car steers to far in the desired direction and when a correction is attempted the same situation occurs. When the car is hot and this issue is present it is not possible to drive the car in a smooth straight direction. In attempting to maintain control I have on multiple occasions been nearly or slightly off the roadway and narrowly avoided several accidents.

Filed Mar 1, 2013 · Steering · 81,000 miles · PA

Power steering broke down. I read a lot of complaints online trying to research what kind of experiences other owners had and there are too many issues with steering with these cars to be ignored. Thank god that my power steering stopped working at a low speed, but what would happen if I was traveling at 70 MPH? I had "sticky" steering in this car for years but this took it to another level. This issue should have been recalled.

Filed Sep 13, 2012 · Steering · 93,000 miles · TX

Bmw z4 steering - no power steering, causes difficulty in managing & steering car.

Filed Aug 13, 2012 · Steering · 28,500 miles · TN

On my drive home from work, after the car had been parked outside, I experienced "sticky steering." just like the complaints from investigation pe10020 and countless internet posts over the past decade, the steering wheel movement was stuck in place and required extra force, then it would release unexpectedly causing me to over-correct. Worse than just heavy steering is the fact that it needs extra force to get the steering wheel "unstuck" but then the assist kicks in and you're over-compensating which causes zig-zagging. It was almost impossible to maintain my lane on the interstate and at one point I dropped two wheels on the shoulder. I have now contacted bmw corporate and they tell me they're being generous by replacing the known-faulty steering rack -- so long as I pay $1,000+ in labor. I think this is outrageous. It is wrong that this known defect costs the consumer any money to replace. Bmw should cover parts and labor. They know this part is faulty, everyone I've talked to says "oh, the z4, yeah I've seen this steering problem on lots of them" but they're quick to remind me that it was not an official recall so they aren't obligated to do anything. This is a safety issue and should be the basis for a mandatory recall (you know, like the one they are doing on current models with similar power steering failures!).