2005 BMW Z4 Problems & Complaints

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

The passenger air bag suddenly deployed while the car was parked in my driveway, braking the dashboard and the windshield.

Passenger airbag dash deploys while car is parked. It’s deploy from nothing.

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. FACTS: VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND NOT RUNNING. KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED NO IMPACT ' NO COLLISION. *TR

6/25/18 BMW WORKED ON MY CAR AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM (KNEE AIR BAG R & R , RESISTANCE TOO LOW IN AIRBAG, REPLACED AIRBAG, INTERNAL MODULE FAILURE, SRS B PILLAR RIGHT MODULE) . 12/31/18 AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY WHILE DRIVING

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN CAR IS RUNNING.

HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED BLOWING. TOOK TO LOCAL SHOP AND FOUND MULTIPLE WIRES MELTED. CONCERNED DUE TO FIRE RISK SO RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH MANY NOW RECALLED BMWS-MINE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALLS BUT IT'S HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS THAT I'M HAVING THE APPARENT EXACT SAME ISSUE AS THOSE VEHICLES BEING RECALLED. I SAW WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD AND SMELLED A BURNING ODOR A FEW MONTHS AGO SO DROVE STRAIGHT HOME AND POPPED THE HOOD-SAW NO ADDITIONAL SMOKE BUT DID SMELL SOME RESIDUAL BURNING ODOR BUT NOTHING WAS VISIBLE. THIS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 2 OTHER TIMES BUT NOTHING WAS EVER FOUND AND IT WAS ASSUMED IT WAS A SPILLAGE OR OVERFLOW. WASN'T UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THE HEATER AND A/C STOPPED BLOWING THAT FURTHER INVESTIGATION WAS DONE. THANK GOODNESS NO FIRE STARTED. STILL SCARY THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN ESPECIALLY AFTER IT'S PARKED IN MY ATTACHED GARAGE! MAKES ME JUST WANT TO PARK IT IN THE DRIVEWAY AWAY FROM THE HOUSE. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND LOOK INTO EXPANDING THE CURRENT RECALLS!! SEEMS JUST TOO COINCIDENTAL.

DRIVING ON FREEWAY, GOING ABOUT 72 ON A WARM DAY, ABOUT 86DEGEES. FELT CAR SLOW DOWN, LIKE TIRES WERE STUCK TO PAVEMENT AND COULD NO LONGER STEER CAR. STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY TIGHT, AND CAR WAS HARD TO HANDLE, AND HARD TO TURN. *TR

FIRST THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, I WENT TO HOUSTON MOMENTUM BMW DEALER TO CHECK AND THEY FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY SIGNAL FROM SOMEWHERE THEY WERE NOT SURE ABOUT. THEY GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR THAN A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIND IT AND REPAIR IT. IT WOULD COST MORE IF THEY FOUND OUT THE REAL PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM THIS SHOULD BE UNDER BMW WARRANTY, BUT THEY SAID IT WASN'T. I REFUSED THE WORK. THIS CASE HAPPENED FEW YEARS AGO. NOW I HAVE AIR BAG LIGHT ON, I DON'T KNOW WHY. I DON'T DARE TO GO BACK TO DEALER TO CHECK BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THEY WILL RIP ME OFF AGAIN AND AGAIN. I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN GET RID OF BMW AND FIND A MORE RELIABLE CAR TO DRIVE. *TR

ON AUGUST 7, 2007 I TOOK MY CAR TO STERLING BMW IN NEWPORT BEACH, CA BECAUSE I NOTICED THE AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHTS WERE ON ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES. AFTER THEY HAD INSPECTED MY VEHICLE FOR THREE DAYS I WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIRBAG/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE BMW FACTORY WARRANTY, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED THAT I FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE CARRIER. OBVIOUSLY MY INSURANCE COMPANY DENIED THE CLAIM, BECAUSE AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE DOES NOT COVER LOSS DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL BREAKDOWN/FAILURE. IN ADDITION, STERLING BMW CHARGED ME $260.00 FOR THE LOANER CAR THEY PROVIDED FOR THE THREE DAYS WHILE MY CAR WAS BEING INSPECTED. STERLING BMW GAVE ME A VERBAL ESTIMATE OF APPROXIMATELY $10,000.00 IN ADDITIONAL WORK NEEDED TO REPAIR ALL THE ELECTRICAL/AIRBAG ISSUES. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO IRVINE BMW FOR ANOTHER ESTIMATE, THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY COULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER AFTER THREE DAYS I WAS AGAIN INFORMED THAT THEY THE AIRBAG/ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. I MOVED TO CALIFORNIA ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO AND PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON FROM EXCALIBUR IMPORTS IN STUDIO CITY, CA ON MARCH 28, 2006. ALTHOUGH MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE WAS A MERCEDES BENZ, I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A BMW AND BENEFIT FROM THE EXTRAORDINARY CUSTOMER SERVICE OF BMW. THIS IS, IN FACT, MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH BMW. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR; IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED, AND MAINTAINED BY BMW DEALERS. I HAVE ALWAYS USE PREMIUM GAS TO ENSURE QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE AND MAINTENANCE. TO MY REGRET, I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR OVER A YEAR WITHOUT AIRBAG PROTECTION. THE NATURE OF MY JOB REQUIRES ME TO COMMUTE OVER 100 MILES PER DAY ON THE FREEWAY. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT MY FAMILY AND I ARE EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT THE RISKS THAT I AM TAKING BECAUSE OF BMW'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE AND FIND I AM NOW AFRAID OF DRIVING BECAUSE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN ACID. *TR

The contact owns a 2005 BMW Z4. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, the heavy plastic interior liner panel fell on his head. The contact stated that the plastic cover was used to hide the windshield clasps that hold the convertible top in place when the convertible top was closed. The contact attempted to reattach the plastic liner however, the fasteners had fractured. The contact placed the plastic liner into the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated while driving, the rear view of the vehicle was blocked by the detached plastic liner. The contact stated that the convertible top was able to retract and return into place, but the convertible top attachment clasps and mechanism were exposed. The contact was unable to reattach the liner. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or to an independent. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

The front headlight wiring harness is flaking off and could cause a short and lose your lights at night and cause a accident. there has been no recall and it's happening to all of the bmw cars that had this environmentally friendly insulation. It is a hazard because you can lose both headlights without notice and have a accident. It has been going on for years according to several mechanics I've spoken too. It also is a huge expense to replace.

STEERING COLUMN EXPERIENCE SUDDEN JERKS TO THE LEFT, OR TO THE RIGHT RANDOMLY MAKING THE CAR REALLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY. IT'S WORSE WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. ALL TIRES PSI ARE NORMAL AND TIRES JUST BRAND NEW. CAR WAS ALIGNED TO DISCARD EVERYTHING. EVEN WITH MANY SIMILAR ISSUES FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS BMW IS NOT ACCEPTING THIS FAILURE AS ONE TO RECALL. BUT WHEN I GETS INTO THE DEALERSHIPS THEY DIAGNOSE THAT THE HOLE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. MY CAR HAS ONLY 86,000 MILES AND THIS IS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE VEHICLE HAD 80,000 MILES.

OCCASIONALLY, WHEN BRAKING AND PRESSING CLUTCH, RPMS JUMP AND ENGINE REVS UP.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TURNING ON THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BELT TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,800.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VEERED OUT OF ITS LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO REGAIN STEERING CONTROL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

BOUGHT THE 2005 Z-4 BMW USED FROM A DEALER IN HIGH POINT NC. DROVE IT AND ENJOY DRIVING UNTIL THE WARM WEATHER. THE STEERING STICKS TO A POINT OF BEING DANGEROUS. TO COMPENSATE, I STEER TO THE LEFT AND CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT THEN I BRING THE STEERING BACK TOWARDS THE CENTER AND FEEL IT STICKING SO I COMPENSATE BY STEERING TO THE RIGHT. THE WHOLE TIME DOWN THE HIGHWAY I FEAR FOR MY LIFE DRIVING THIS CAR. I REALLY HAD TO CONCENTRATE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM STEERING OFF THE ROAD AND I'M SURE IT APPEARS I'M DRIVING ERRATICALLY TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD. THE WARM WEATHER WILL SOON BE HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND I'M JUST SCARED TO DRIVE IT. THE CAR OTHERWISE IS BEAUTIFUL. BUT IF I'M GOING TO BE A REPEAT CUSTOMER TO THE BMW LINE I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED OR THEY SHOULD RECALL IT AND I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM AND SOUNDS LIKE MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM FROM WHAT MY RESEARCH SHOWS ME. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. SERIOUSLY I'M SCARED ! I CONTACTED BMW IN OHIO AND THEY NEED ME TO VALIDATE THE PROBLEM THROUGH A DEALER WHICH I WILL DO BUT I HAVE TO WAIT TIL THE WEATHER IS WARM AGAIN. LUCKILY I AM EMPLOYED AND WILL BE ABLE TO PAY THE $125.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. *TR THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED EVERY TIME SHE RODE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE RADIO WOULD SHUT OFF AND THEN COME BACK ON AT RANDOM TIMES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY LOOSE WIRES. ALSO, THE OIL FILTER HOUSING WAS LEAKING AND AN OIL LEAK SEPARATOR WAS SAUING AIR TO DISPEL INTO THE ENGINE. UPDATED IVOQ 04/16/13

VEHICLE WOULD RUN FINE IN THE MORNING BEFORE THE DAY HEATED UP. AT NOON, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD STICK AND MORE FORCE THAN USUAL HAD TO BE APPLIED WITH BOTH HANDS TO OPERATE THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO, THERE ARE TIMES THE CAR WILL JERK LEFT OR RIGHT UPON BREAKING. IF THE ROAD IS SLIGHTLY UNEVEN, YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED IN CASE THE CAR JERKS IN ANY DIRECTION. I HAVE TRIED UPGRADING THE VEHICLES SUSPENSION SYSTEM TO NO AVAIL. MAKES THE CAR FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I LOVE THE CAR, BUT I WOULD LIKE THESE ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED IF IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. *TR

ORIGINAL OWNER NEW 2005 Z4 BMW 18475 MILES STEERING STICKS WHILE DRIVING FEELS LIKE IT MAY NOT COME BACK WHEN YOU TURN WHEEL KIND OF LIKE FLAT SPOT ON COLUMN HARD TO EXPLAIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WITH A SEATBELT ON, A WARNING BELL WOULD SOUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEATS SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,400.

I HAVE A 2005 BMW 3.0 W/AUTO TRANSMISSION. MY CAR HAS HAD TWO RECURRING ISSUES FROM TIME TO TIME STARTING WITH THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING LIGHT ENGAGING WITH THE POWER STEERING GOING DEAD AT IDLE OR AT CORNERS. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THAT MY CAR HAS STALLED WITH THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN THRICE ON I-95 AND ON LOCAL ROADS. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT WAS A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION TWICE WITH MY GIRLFRIEND SWEARING NEVER TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN. HOW IT HAPPENS? AT SPEEDS OF 40MPH OR LESS, EPS, ABS, BRAKE, DTC COMES ON AND OFF WITH THE NAVIGATION SCREEN OPENING AND CLOSING. THEN ABUPTLY AT SLOW SPEEDS, THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF. REMEDY: PULL OVER, OFF THE CAR AND ON IT BACK AGAIN AND GO.

2005 BMW Z4 3.0I FAULTY FUEL PUMPS. I HAVE HAD 3 FUEL PUMPS REPLACED ON MY CAR AND STILL HAVE THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR STALLED, THE IDLING DROPS, THE FUEL PUMP MAKES A LOUD VIBRATING RUMBLING NOISE. MANY OTHERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, THE YRS AFFECTED ARE FROM 2003 - 2009. *TR