The steering is sticky, like the steering system is locking up. It isn't smooth but instead very jerky, and requires serious effort to manage. It is becoming dangerous and is very unsafe. I have seen a lot of complaints on the internet and can not believe this isn't a recall item!
BMW Z4 jerking problems
115 of the 1,284 owner complaints about the BMW Z4 describe jerking or lurching, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 115
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,100
- typical mileage
- 44,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in hot weather, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and would also jerk the vehicle into the next lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The dealer replaced the battery however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
When the outside temperatures are warmer (mid 80's and above) the steering wheel will stick in the center position and require it to be jerked a bit to keep control. This occurs at all speeds, but does not seem to be the case when stopped. since it requires the steering wheel to be jerked to correct, it can cause the car to swerve. I have had the car for several years began noticing the issue once the weather got warmer. The date entered below is today's date, but I have had the issue for perhaps 5 years.
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
I have a 2004 bmw z4 which I purchased used in 2016 with 67000 miles on it. Over the past 2 years, the steering has become sticky and hard to keep the vehicle in my lane when travelling straight. I have to constantly correct the steering as the car tries to pull either to the left or right. Also, it is hard to correct the pull, resulting in jerky driving or overcorrection. The problem happens when driving both straight and on curves. It seems to happen more often in warmer weather, but have experienced a slight problem even in cooler weather. It has occurred at both slower speeds and highway speeds. This problem began at approximately 80000 miles. I have owned the car 5 years and have put less than 20000 miles on it in that time period, so it is not driven excessively or under harsh driving conditions.
When the temperature reaches approximately 80 degrees the steering starts to stick and becomes jerky in order to stay in the driving lane. It gets increasingly worse as the temperature rises to the point that the car becomes difficult to handle. Over a period of time, while in route to my destination, it becomes exhausting to drive. It is very dangerous to be on the road in the summer, which is the best time for driving a roadster with the convertible top down.
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.
As I am driving this car my steering is sticking and jerking as I turn from left to right and back again. It is hard to turn and not smooth as it used to be. This problem occurs at high speed, low speed and on all road surfaces. I changed the tires hoping that would address the problem, however it did not help. It should not operate this way and it seems unsafe to drive. I see that many owners have complained about this ongoing safety problem, please advise.
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.
I just purchased this 2003 z4 from a dealer about a month ago. When I test drove it, it drove fine and the steering was smooth as you'd expect. It was a little chilly as it was still in the morning. By afternoon, during my 6hr drive home from the dealer, it got hot outside, as it is summer and all, and the steering started to become very jerky, causing me to swerve back and forth in the lanes. It has now become a dangerous car. The initial dealer from whom I purchased from played dumb and said they were unaware of any problems. Before buying this car, which has 57k mi on it, I did my research. Seemed like no major problems with it. Not until after I purchased it, and specifically searched 'steering problems' did I discover this had been a bmw design flaw from the beginning and countless people have been dealing with this almost from the get go. No recall had been made, and now I'm stuck with a dangerous car. Going forward, I have notified friends and family, that should I get killed because of this defect, start litigation against bmw, as this is now documented by myself, as well as countless others.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 3 Series Sedan (330i xDrive, M340i xDrive, M3), 5 Series Sedan (530i, 530i xDrive, M5), 4 Series Gran Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 4 Series Convertible (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive), 8 Series Coupe (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Convertible (840i, M850i xDrive, M8), 8 Series Gran Coupe (850i xDrive, M8), X3 SAV (X3 xDrive30i, X3M), X4 SAV (X4 xDrive30i), X5 SAV (X5 xDrive40i, X5 M50i, X5M), X6 SAV (X6 xDrive40i, X6 M50i, X6M), and Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i vehicles. The weld seam of the integrated transmission control unit's cover may not have been manufactured properly, which could allow automatic transmission oil to leak into the transmission control unit.
- Risk
- Transmission oil that leaks into the control unit can lead to a seizure of the transmission gears, causing a sudden loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission mechatronics module and the automatic transmission fluid, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 26, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 23V821000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
- Risk
- If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V067000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW Z4 jerking
Which BMW Z4 years have jerking or lurching problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (42 complaints), 2003 (37 complaints) and 2005 (30 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix jerking or lurching on the BMW Z4?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,100 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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