2004 BMW Z4: pulls to one side

Filed Dec 22, 2020 · Steering · FL

Unfortunately, I have a lot of problems with the steering wheel of my 2005 bmw z4. It is completely unstable. For instance: 1)it keeps pulling to the left, or to the right. It requires constant adjustments so that I could keep the car aligned, or centered. 2)I experience sudden jerks to the left, or to the right when the road surface is slightingly uneven. I can never predict which way the car pulls me. I struggle a lot to keep the steering centered when stopping at any red lights. 3) sometimes, the steering feels like it is stuck

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Steering · 50,000 miles · PA

1)it keeps pulling to the left, or to the right. It requires constant adjustments so that I could keep the car aligned, or centered. 2)I experience sudden jerks to the left, or to the right when the road surface is slightingly uneven. I can never predict which way the car pulls me. I struggle a lot to keep the steering centered when stopping at any red lights. 3) sometimes, the steering feels like it is stuck. After review online, this seems to be a very common problem.

Filed Oct 30, 2016 · Steering · 56,000 miles · FL

Steering is unstable. Car keeps pulling to the left or to the right. It requires constant adjustments so that I could keep the car aligned, or centered on the road, especially on the highway.

Filed Jul 2, 2016 · Steering · 112,200 miles · CA

In hot weather, the car steering gets "sticky" or hard to make smooth little adjustments when travelling on highways going straight. It's mostly noticeable when travelling on 55mph or higher roads, but somewhat in town too. It makes travelling in the middle of your own lane harder, more likely to wander before you increase your effort on the steering wheel. When in cold weather, the electric power steering is excellent and very easy to keep the car exactly on track with ease. When I read the reports on the bmw club sites and forums, I find that this a very common problem with bmw z4's of the 2003 to later versions. Please institute a recall before people get hurt of killed, thanks.

Filed Mar 1, 2016 · Steering · 78,000 miles · OR

Steering wheel binds and is difficult to turn while driving at any speed. It happens mostly when the car is warm from the sun or after it warms up from driving. The steering wheel has to be forced to turn to overcome the notchy lockup condition. The car then veers off track. The steering never returns to center so the car continuously wanders back and forth. Internet searches produce many vehicles with this issue, but no recall has been performed. This is a gross safety issue and should be corrected by the manufacturer prior to deaths caused by this safety issue.

Filed Feb 10, 2016 · Steering · 33,000 miles · PA

Steering wheel binds and is difficult to turn while driving at any speed. It happens mostly when the car is warm from the sun or after it warms up from driving. The steering wheel has to be forced to turn to overcome the notchy lockup condition. The car then veers off track. The steering never returns to center so the car continuously wanders back and forth. Internet searches produce many vehicles with this issue, but no recall has been performed. This is a gross safety issue and should be corrected by the manufacturer prior to deaths caused by this safety issue.

Filed Jul 21, 2013 · Steering · 36,086 miles · NY

The steering on the car becomes notchy and twitchy, especially at higher speeds and in warm weather. The steering wheel hangs up like there is a flat spot somewhere in the system. It takes extra physical effort to move the steering off that flat spot. The steering wheel will intermittently stop responding to driver input for a short range. Then suddenly start working again after extra applied pressure on the wheel. When the steering is in the notchy/twitchy condition it will pull to one side. This is not a safe situation because you are constantly correcting the steering to gain control of the car. I have been advised the problem is grease on a bearing in the steering column. The bearing is not sealed and the grease is exposed to hot temperatures. The problem can be repaired by replacing the bearing with a new improved version, bmw does not offer the bearing on it's part list, but does recommend replacing the steering column at a cost of $4000.00.

Filed Jul 20, 2013 · Steering · 101,900 miles · NJ

Steering is sticking pulls to the left then to the right very difficult to keep car straight on the road sudden jerking of car when turning the steering wheel turns but car doesn't turn with the turn you have to force the turn and then you get pulled in other direction very very unsafe! Feels like you're going to be pulled into a crash! These steering columns need recalled and fast!

Filed Jul 10, 2013 · Steering · 72,000 miles · MO

The steering on the car becomes 'notchy' and 'twitchy' especially at higher speeds and warm weather. The steering wheel will intermittently stop responding to input for a short range of input, then suddenly start working after a limited range. While driving at high speeds in a straight line, the steering will suddenly pull to one side requiring that the steering wheel is held straight very firm or the car will lunge to the side. The issue was diagnosed by two different bmw repair shops. Both concluded the electronic power steering is failing and the entire steering column needs to be replaced. Estimated repair cost is just under $4,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2013 · Steering · 60,255 miles · NC

My wife was passing through a toll booth when the steering suddenly pulled to one side, she was able to correct and avoid hitting the concrete barrier. This issue has happened on multiple occasions and is always the same. Car will pull to one side or the other and you have no control over the situation. It has happened on various road surface types from smooth to grooved. We have the factory tires on the car and no modifications to the car. Front end alignment is correct. We purchased the car used from a dealer with 58,789 miles in mar 2013.

Filed Nov 12, 2012 · Steering · 79,946 miles · NC

I recently bought this car and the dealer talked about a steering issue with the z4 models where they don't feel like the steering will center. I didn't have a chance to put miles on the car until today where I found out what he was talking about and had time to research it. This is a very well known issue and it looks like you have investigated it previously but it still is a very real problem and makes the car unsafe to drive. While driving after the car is warmed up the steering will feel as though it sticks as you try to drive a straight line. At around 40+MPH the car will pull right or left with the steering nearly impossible to adjust to center. You can have the car pulling to one side, say traveling at 60mph, it will pull you to the right at a rate of 2 feet for every second. You have to nudge the steering wheel as it is not fluid (feels like it is stuck) back to the left and then it will pull left at the same rate. It is a battle of constant adjustment to fight in trying to center the car. If you have traffic around you it could be an accident waiting to happen. I request that this issue is re-opened as a safety recall. I have reviewed the information you received from bmw regarding steering warranty claims and with just over 12,000 bmw z4's produced and nearly 10% (1,1xx) of them having a filed claim regarding steering issues, one would see that this is a major flaw. Warranty work is not always requested, thus why there are still more on the street that need high cost repairs and causing unsafe driving conditions for the driver/passenger as well as surrounding vehicles.

Filed Feb 21, 2012 · Steering · 51,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 bmw z4. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel become stiff. The steering wheel would pull to the right and the vehicle would veer toward the right as well. The dealer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufactured was contacted via postal mail but the contact had not received a confirmation notice. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 51,000 and the current mileage was 53,000.