2005 BMW Z4 steering problems

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Steering · IL

I have experienced the steering does a notchy or “sticky steering” issue that is quite scary from time to time as I drive the car. I looked up and found this is a widespread problem with the BMW Z4 2003-2005 models. I see there was no recall for BMW to have to mandated recall these vehicles and fix this issue. I have had this car for a 17 months and experienced this on several occasions that catches me off guard as i am driving. I am dumbfounded that there was no recall for this issue. I writing you so that before someone gets killed that you issue an immediate recall on these cars. I should not have to outlay thousands of dollars for a fix that should been the manufacturers at BMW to fix.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Steering · IL

While moving, especially in warm weather, the steering will stick. This requires excessive force to move the steering wheel which results in a "jump" when the steering moves (breaks loose). This sudden "jump" results in vehicle moving excessively, especially scary in traffic! I have not had the vehicle inspected by a mechanic but reading various forums this appears to be a common problem with BMW Z4s.

Filed Jul 24, 2023 · Steering · MA

Generally described as sticky steering. Steering wheel binds up and needs pressure to overcome, then released and the car overcorrects so steering is erratic. This is particularly dangerous when cornering. Issue seems temperature related and is worse in high temperatures. This is a well known problem in 2003-2005 BMW Z4. The car has been sittting in my garage for a year as it is unsafe to drive. When is the recall?

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Steering · SC

This 2005 BMW Z3 was bought from a dealer who sold the car to the original owner and maintained it. The car has 45,000 miles on it, and I am the second owner. I have only owned the car for one month. Yesterday was the first day of 80 degree weather, and the steering is now "sticking". 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. I have now read about others with the same problem, and that BMW is aware of its design flaw. There should be a recall issued for them to correct the problem. My understanding is that it is a costly repair, and it will most likely reoccur after the fix. Needless to say, I am very disappointed with the dealer as I feel they knowingly sold me this car with the steering problem. We are in the south, so warm weather for nine months out of the year is common.

Filed Dec 1, 2021 · Steering · VA

While driving the vehicle will loose all power steering, and becomes very difficult to steer, warning lamp comes on with a steering wheel and a exclamation point. Has been diagnosed as needing a steering wheel column assembly.

Filed Aug 3, 2021 · Steering · CT

Owned the vehicle since purchased new in July 2005. Warranty expired ~2010. Approximately 2014, symptoms started. In the heat -- 80F - 90F degree sunny day -- response of the steering wheel became notchy, as though requiring a push to get the wheel past a notch. After some time the symptom disappeared, until the (black color) car was again heated in hot sun of a 90F day. It seemed incidental. I was no longer commuting and drove the car less in 2015-2019 period, so noticed it less often. 2020 was Covid-19 so car was barely driven until Spring 2021. Now in hot Summer 2021, the symptom is back and much stronger. Again, only after the car has been baked in hot sunlight for some period. Both directions (L and R) moving the wheel off centerline, requires pushing past a "notch" type feeling...it is NOT a smooth turn of the steering wheel. As the car is turning, re-centering the steering wheel also is notchy with the wheel moving in jumpy increments.

Filed Aug 27, 2020 · Steering · 76,500 miles · FL

The steering sticks while driving you have to force it to turn causing you to travel back and forth across the lane. This only happens at hwy speeds on very warm days and at slower speeds works normal.

Filed Jul 16, 2020 · Steering · 18,000 miles · HI

Steering is no longer smooth or safe, takes 2 hands and even on straight road has to be moved in jerks side to side, as if someone else is holding the wheel and fighting back when you try to turn wheel. Warm is worse and on highway at speed almost impossible to keep straight. On my drive monday had I had to make an evasive move I would not have been able to and would have been in a head on collision. In hawaii it is always over 80 degrees on highway. When first turned on in garage it is not nearly as bad. But after couple minutes it is nearly impossible to maintain chosen direction. Evasive action now impossible and told by dealer that an entire new steering column is required and that this is a very common problem in z4s from 2004-2006. Has only 18,000 miles on it. In flawless shape. In 2012 with 11,442 miles on the car the steering was doing the same thing. My father who bought the car new, the car took it to the dealer who replaced the entire steering column. Thus the car now has 7,000 more miles and again I am told it needs another steering column replacement for $6000. From investigating others who have had the same issue it is the unsealed bearing in the middle of the column that the lubricant dries and hardens onto. That bearing can be dug out, cleaned off and new lubricant applied. But this is only a temporary fix. The lubricant will dry and harden requiring another costly (quoted at $1700) opening and cleaning/lubricating. The 2007 models have had 0 complaints so somewhere along the way bmw fixed the unsealed bearing problem. I am asking for a new steering column with one of the sealed bearing assemblies to be installed by the bmw dealer at their cost.

Filed Jun 26, 2020 · Steering · 160,000 miles · FL

My car was parked while I was on the beach for 2 hours when I started my car the power steering was gone I couldn't move the car out of the parking spot.

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Steering · 60,300 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 bmw z4. The contact stated that while driving and attempting to change lanes, the steering ceased without warning. Gault auto sport bmw located at (2311 north st, endicott, ny 13760) was contacted by phone. The contact was informed to schedule an appointment to have the vehicle diagnosed which was still pending. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not part of a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 60,300.