2004 BMW Z4: steering wheel locks up

Filed May 3, 2020 · Steering · 95,000 miles · OK

Steering locks while driving

Filed Dec 11, 2018 · Steering · 60,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The steering unlocked on its own after fifteen minutes of driving. The contact also stated that the vehicle was purchased from an individual back in april of 2018 and the failure occurred ever since. The vehicle was taken to bmw of chattanooga (6806 e brainerd road, chattanooga, tn 37421) where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2016 · Steering · 111,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. While driving 25 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

Filed May 17, 2016 · Steering · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. While attempting to reverse the vehicle, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the electrical steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jul 22, 2015 · Steering · 85,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel seized and became very difficult to turn. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2015 · Steering · 94,000 miles · OK

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. While driving 60 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was unable to be driven when the incident occurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed May 29, 2015 · Steering · 140,352 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. The contact stated that the power steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,352. Updated 09/01/15*lj the consumer stated the entire steering column needed to be replaced. Updated 10/27/2015

Filed May 10, 2015 · Steering · 130,048 miles · WA

I purchased a 2004 bmw z4 convertible 2 months ago. For the first month, the car drove perfectly. The last month, the car has become undriveable due to a "sticky steering wheel" and the steering wheel locking (the steering wheel will not move). I have taken it to 2 separate dealerships and they have told me that the steering column needs to be replaced. The car is quite dangerous to drive at the moment and after reading about this issue online, it appears to be an issue in which a factory recall was set to be released.

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Steering · 76,000 miles · TX

Vehicle steering wheel locks. Driving on highway makes driving very stressful. Called bmw and they have no recall on this vehicle.

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Steering · 68,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the steering column should be replaced, however, the repairs should not be considered a permanent fix since the failure occurs during warm weather conditions. The failure recurred on various occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 68,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Sep 9, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 20,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The failure occurred several times. The dealer determined that the vehicle experienced an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. Updated 10/07/14*lj updated 3/23/2015

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?