On 3 april 2026 I was driving my 2011 bmw z4 sdrive 30i e89 n52k (manual transmission) that has 31,000 miles on it, suddenly a steering assistance malfunction trouble light appeared and I lost all electronic power steering. This sudden loss of steering control almost caused an accident!! Then shortly thereafter the electronic power steering control returned. On april 4 I lost the steering control again and took it to a bmw repair shop. They confirmed that the problem was with the eps (electric power steering control). Upon investigation, a specific recall exists for 2012 bmw z4 regarding the electric power steering (eps) system. (the federal safety agency recall campaign #12v302000: electric power steering control module.) the recall campaign notes that, after the engine is shut off and then restarted, the eps module may function properly. In that case, the warning symbol in the instrument cluster will no longer appear, and the audible warning will not activate. However the condition may occur again. This is exactly what is occurring with my car and you never know when it will occur. The campaign covers 2012 z4's and covered some cars manufactured in late 2011. However, the VIN for my 2011 bmw z4 sdrive 30i e89 n52k (manual transmission) is wbalm5c58be162421 and it was manufactured in 04/2010. The eps in my 2011 bmw z4 is exactly the same as the eps that is covered in the federal safety agency recall campaign #12v302000: electric power steering control module.) clearly my 2011 bmw z4 should be included in this campaign which requires a 4 hr repair by a certified bmw dealer and replacement of the eps unit. For z4 models the technicians are to refer to repair instruction 32 13 370, "removing and installing (replacing) electric steering box (eps)." e89 steering gear part # 32 10 6 855 888. Plus following parts: asa bolt (#32 10 6 773 068); hex nut (#33 32 6 768 884); torx bolt (#32 30 6 778 609); combination nut (#33 30 6 787 062). All above referenced parts were listed in the recall campaign. !
BMW Z4 power steering loss problems
69 of the 1,284 owner complaints about the BMW Z4 describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 69
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $3,500
- typical mileage
- 49,125
By model year
Often reported together
Loss of power 13Pulling 4Steering lock-up 3Engine failure 3Stalling 1
What owners say
Power steering stopped working.
The steering in this BMW Z4 gets "sticky" in warm or hot weather. It drives fine in cold weather. The steering has to be constantly corrected as it pulls to the left. 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. On a warmer day after driving for a while I suddenly experienced a unexpected binding of the steering and almost ended up steering into oncoming traffic. This car is not safe to drive. The 2003 model has electric power steering. There are no codes or warning lights. I took the car to the local mechanic and he was easily able to reproduce the issue when he drove it less than 1 mile. This issue not only puts me at risk but others because of the constant correction of the steering to keep a straight. If you drive this car in warm or hot weather distances more than 20 miles then shut if off, then attempt to restart there is no steering at all. Please view the 2 websites listed below from BMW owners. https://automotivesblog.com/e85-e86-bmw-z4-steering-problems-how-to-fix/ https://www.carproblemzoo.com/bmw/z4/steering-problems.php One website had almost 700 complaints with the steering. I dare not let my kids behind the wheel of this car. It is not a question of "if" someone gets killed, but "when." BMW North America would only say there are no recalls. When I asked if there have been issues reported, they declined to give me that information. Please help. It would be interesting to know how many accidents were listed with the steering being the cause of the MVA. I would gladly allow someone with the federal safety agency drive this car in warm weather. Then you would see how dangerous the steering is in these vehicles.
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.
Car has 15,000 miles and always stored in climate controlled garage. Drove it today and within 1/2 mile the electronic power steering failed making it very, very hard to steer. Shut vehicle off and restart and the problem goes away but only for a minute or two and then returns.
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.
When the car is warmed up the steering is sticky and prevents you from steering correctly and/or over-correct your steering. Multiple mechanics have looked at this and the factory lube used to grease the steering column components is inadequate. However, the only way to fix it is to replace the entire steering column ($4-5k for parts and labor). The steering column could fail at any time and cause the car to lose steering capabilities, very dangerous, especially at highway speeds. Apparently bmw is aware of the issue and has recalled 2006-2008 model years but not 2003-2005.
The steering is hard to control while driving. Almost locking up or very sticky sensation to it. Happens very regularly.
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.
Related recalls
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
- Risk
- A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1‑800‑525‑7417 or Toyota customer service at 1‑888‑270‑9371.
Recall number 20V355000 · Recall details
Steering: electric power assist system
- What is wrong
- Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 1-series active e and model year 2012 z4 vehicles. Variations in electrical current may occur within the electric power steering assistance system, leading to sudden loss of power steering assistance.
- Risk
- Sudden loss of steering assistance may increase the steering effort required to control the direction of a vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering assistance module, free of charge. The safety recall began during july 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations at 1‑800‑525‑7417.
Recall number 12V302000 · Recall details
Questions about the BMW Z4 power steering loss
Which BMW Z4 years have loss of power steering problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (30 complaints), 2004 (16 complaints) and 2005 (10 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix loss of power steering on the BMW Z4?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,500 (median of 6 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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