Hello, I am writing to you about repeated repairs that I have incurred for my 2011 BMW Z4, VIN [XXX] . On [XXX] 2017, I had a BMW initiated, no cost recall/extended warranty replacement of 6 fuel injectors performed at Hilton Head BMW in Hilton Head, SC. Due to the nature of the work, it was recommended that the 6 spark plugs be replaced, which were not covered under the recall/extended warranty, and which I paid $187.71 in parts and labor for. Mileage at this time was 45,795. On [XXX], 2019, I once again had the spark plugs and ignition coils replaced at Hilton Head BMW at a cost of $1208.25 for parts and labor. Mileage at this time was 58,815. On [XXX], 2024, I had the ignition coil and spark plugs replaced again by Import Service of the Lowcountry at a cost of $840 for parts and labor. Mileage at this time was 95,977. Relative to this, I also had fuel injector replacement performed on [XXX], 2024, at a cost of $724.29 for parts and labor. Lastly, the valve cover and #2 fuel injector failed and were replaced on [XXX], 2024 at a cost of $1843.14. Mileage at this time was 97,125. I am seeking $4803.59 in reimbursement costs for a repeated field defect that is known to BMW, and for which they have failed to correct through recall/extended warranty mitigation. All of these instances caused me to lose power while driving in traffic, putting me at serious risk for injury. Please find attached copies of the receipts for the above work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
BMW Z4 loss of power problems
21 of the 1,284 owner complaints about the BMW Z4 describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 21
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 58,000
By model year
Often reported together
Power steering loss 13Pulling 2Steering lock-up 1Engine failure 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering was locked in a slight left turn and he had to apply the brakes to keep the vehicle on the road. The contact was able to pull off to the left side of the highway. The contact stated that a yellow steering wheel warning light was illuminated, and a warning bell was chiming. The contact turned the vehicle off and upon restarting the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that as soon as he exited the highway, the failure occurred again and has persisted. The contact researched and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 12V302000 (Steering) however, the model year was not included. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
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.
Sudden loss of power steering causing the car to be very difficult to control. When reading known issues regarding the bmw z4, this appears to be a very common safety problem. There is a known recall on these vehicles for this problem, however, it does not include my vehicle make, model, year. My vehicle was in motion in heavy city traffic when the steering became sticky, causing the car to pull to the right and ultimately hitting a curb causing damage to the right lower wheel well and door panel. My vehicle is currently sitting in a repair shop waiting on finding a steering column that will not cost $3800 - $4000 to replace.
Electronic power steering has intermittent faults/errors due to a manufacturing defect, resulting in complete loss of power steering. Bmw acknowledged this issue and did a recall in 2012 for 2012 model year z4's - the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v302000. The scope of the problem is well beyond the 162 vehicles that were addressed with the recall in 2012.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 bmw z4. While driving between 4 to 40 MPH, the steering lost power without warning. The contact stated that the same failure was experienced several years ago. At that time, the vehicle was taken to kelly bmw (614‑471‑2277, located at 4050 morse rd, columbus, oh 43230) and repaired. The contact was not informed about the cause of the failure. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the recent failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired again. The failure mileage was 145,000. *tt consumer stated dealer and manufacture made aware of recent failure. 01/03/19. Dealer made repairs at consumers cost 1/11/19. Eps steering column was replaced.
Sudden loss of power steering assistance while in motion at highway speeds. This resulted in incorrect amounts of steering pressure being applied by two different drivers & near accidents on several occasions. Date is approximate for first occurrence.
On warm days, vehicle steering is sticky, hard to turn. Feels like lose of power steering. Vehicle also pulls either right or left depending on last movement. Hard to steer back to center. Upon further research, problem has been found to be the steering wheel column, but no action or recall has been taken. It needs to be recalled.
Electronic power steering light came on while driving down the highway lost power assisted ability. Steering wheel was difficult, back to the old manual days.. Never thought to ask why..but vehicle always had a detent quirk since 2003..just thought it typical for how a sports car was designed. After checking others similar problems I guess I've been misled into believing that was typical after all this time.taking it to the dealer in the next few days to service problem. If you have a problem like this detent thing get it checked out before a bad situation really happens.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
- Risk
- Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 23V707000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
- Remedy
- This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency recalls 17V‑683 and 19V‑273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 22V119000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
- Risk
- Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 21V598000 · Recall details
Engine
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i, 330i xDrive, and 2019 Z4 vehicles. The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.
- Risk
- If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 19V732000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V‑683.
Recall number 19V273000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 17V683000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
- Risk
- If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 14V176000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW Z4 loss of power
Which BMW Z4 years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (8 complaints), 2004 (5 complaints) and 2011 (3 complaints).
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