2004 BMW Z4: loss of power steering

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Steering · WA

Power steering stopped working.

Filed Jul 12, 2020 · Steering · 42,000 miles · MI

Steering gets sticky intermittently, more common when vehicle is hot. Seems like a loss of power steering. Vehicle only has 42k miles. Difficult to maintain lane especially on curves and in city traffic. Very dangerous and unexpected.

Filed Apr 12, 2020 · Steering · 85,000 miles · MA

When the car is warmed up the steering is sticky and prevents you from steering correctly and/or over-correct your steering. Multiple mechanics have looked at this and the factory lube used to grease the steering column components is inadequate. However, the only way to fix it is to replace the entire steering column ($4-5k for parts and labor). The steering column could fail at any time and cause the car to lose steering capabilities, very dangerous, especially at highway speeds. Apparently bmw is aware of the issue and has recalled 2006-2008 model years but not 2003-2005.

Filed Feb 25, 2020 · Steering · 106,500 miles · MO

The steering is hard to control while driving. Almost locking up or very sticky sensation to it. Happens very regularly.

Filed Jun 18, 2019 · Steering · 40,000 miles · MI

The vehicle has intermittent loss of power steering which makes it very difficult to drive, steer and control when in motion. I was able to avoid serious accidents by literally crawling along the side of the road with flashers on so other drivers would stay clear. This has happened on more than one occasion.

Filed Jul 3, 2015 · Steering · 20,000 miles · OK

The day I purchased my used 2004 bmw z4, I noticed a problem with the steering wheel "sticking". I called the dealer and was told it was normal with that particular car. Over the years, there are days that it drives normally with no steering problems, but for the most part, the steering wheel starts really sticking when the car is going over 20 MPH or I should say, it's harder to control the steering wheel at a speed in excess of 20-25 MPH. The bmw dealer where I live now told me that it was happening because I don't drive the car often enough. And it's true that I don't drive very often - I just rolled over 50,000 miles and the car is 14 years old. I have many times had to pull off of the highway or drive with my hazard lights on because I wasn't able to stay within my lane due to the steering problem. I get frightened to drive anywhere except the city streets near my home where the speed limit is under 40 MPH. I am going to contact the dealer here in ok again and see what they can do to fix this issue once and for all because my car has become unsafe to drive in a normal fashion.

Filed Nov 23, 2014 · Steering · 87,620 miles · FL

The vehicle steering developed a sticky area that was very hard to get past. The steering was very hard to turn to avoid an accident. It continued and I slowed so another accident does not occur. The problem has continued at low speeds ,but not as bad. I just got the car and was driving home.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Steering · 125,000 miles · NJ

While driving my car I lost control of the power steering and it felt like my steering locked. I was able to pull over to the side of the road. I turned off the car and waited a bit after checking under the hood to see that I had good power steering fluid and the belts were good. I turned on the car again and still had no power steering. Since I was not far from home I carefully drove home fighting my steering all the way. I called my local bmw dealer the following day and they said they were aware of the issue and the repair was extremely costly. I did not realize how aware they were until I further researched the issue on the internet and was totally shocked to see hundreds of complaints concerning the same exact issue. Complaints that have been going on for years. I saw reports of multiple accidents. I can not believe that a recall was never issued on this item. It is absolutely mind boggling that such a defect is left to the consumer to pay when it is clearly a manufacturer's defect. Does a death have to incur for a recall? Aren't preventative measures just as important from the federal safety agency to help avoid future accidents and possible injuries?

Filed May 13, 2013 · Steering · 48,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the power steering failed and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the steering column was replaced. Six months after the vehicle was repaired the failure recurred. The recent failure was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 48,000. Updated 6/25/13*cn updated 7/1/13 *cn the consumer stated the steering would not return to center by itself. Updated

Filed Nov 14, 2012 · Steering · 49,125 miles · SD

For some time my bmw z4 2004 has been having a "notchy" feel to the steering. Today it came to a head as the steering completely locked on me. I was 2 blocks from home after just exiting a main high way I drive every day to and from work. I am so lucky I was already off the main road or a major accident would have happend. No steering, completely locked. I have done many internet searches and aparently I'm one of many that have had this issue. Fix the issue bmw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Filed May 17, 2012 · Steering · 16,000 miles · MD

After the car had set out in the sun on a hot day, steering was very stiff. I could not steer fluidly. If I tried to slightly adjust the wheel to the right, the wheel would not move. I would apply more and more pressure until it would finally move. But since I was applying so much force it would jump passed the desired point. This would cause me to have to correct to the left where the cycle begins again. Keeping the car in the lane is now very difficult.

Filed Mar 27, 2012 · Steering · VA

The z4 has an power steering problem that seems to have issues at higher speeds and temperatures where there seems to be a loss of power steering where there is a significantly increased effort to turn the steering wheel. I feel extremely unsafe driving the car and don't feel like I have control of the steering and have a lot of trouble keeping the car in the lane. Sometimes the steering feels like it is stuck. I think that the car is very dangerous to drive and I am now afraid to drive the car since I am a woman and may not have the proper upper body strength to control the car!