EN

2006 BMW Z4 Roadster w/SAB

1
Recalls
83
Complaints

Safety Ratings.

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings help consumers compare vehicle safety when searching for a car. More stars mean safer cars.

Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
Overall Front Star Rating

Combines Driver and Passenger star ratings into a single frontal rating. The frontal barrier test simulates a head-on collision between two similar vehicles, each moving at 35 mph.

Front Driver Side
Front Passenger Side
Overall Side Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Driver
Passenger
Overall Side Pole Star Rating

Combines Side Barrier and Side Pole Star Ratings into a single side rating.

Rollover Star Rating

The Rollover Resistance test measures the risk of rollover in a single-vehicle, loss-of-control scenario.

Complaints
Recalls

83 Complaints

for 2006 BMW Z4
11/13/2021
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/15/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

The Steering wheel gets Hard, looks like power steering gets disabled automatically while driving, making it almost impossible to steer. This has started to happen after hot weather had started few months back. I have tried to reproduce this issue several times, but it happens randomly and Not all the time. I don't drive the car much. But this is definitely a serious issue, I checked the BMW community and a lot of people are facing this issue. Not Sure how many have filed a complaint here. But this definitely should be addressed by BMW as this is not just one person facing this issue, there are hundreds and thousands of them. Level of severity is high, as someone who might have not faced this issue yet might suddenly face it on the highway could result in an extremely fatal accident. Havent reported to BMW yet, But found this issue is being faced by alot of people I thought to file my complaint here. I will soon get it repaired or replaced. There were no Warning lamps or messages prior to this. It started happening in September 2021.

08/12/2021
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/12/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4usbu53506l******
Summary

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.

06/28/2021
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/28/2021
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33506L******
Summary

During warm weather the steering will momentary stick while driving which requires additional force to overcome. This happens at all speeds but is more noticeable at highway speeds while trying to maintain vehicle in driving lane. There are numerous complaints of this on the NHTSA site. I have written to BMW North America about this safety problem and mentioned the multitude of similar complaints but they refuse to address the problem and suggest I purchase a new steering column at $2500+!

07/29/2020
Components: STRUCTURE
Incident Date: 07/28/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USVU335X6L******
Summary

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP ON THE 2006 Z4 BMW HAS A MECHANISM THAT RAISES AND LOWERS THAT FAILS. IT'S LOCATION IS SUCH THAT IT IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR (USED)I WENT TO A BMW MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THAT IF I DID HAVE HIM FIX IT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. TALKING TO OTHER BMW MECHANICS I GOT THE SAME INFO.

06/29/2020
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/29/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU335X6L******
Summary

VEHICLE STEERING BECOMES "STICKY" AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO WARM TEMPERATURES. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING TO CENTER AND REQUIRE GREATER THAN USUAL FORCE TO OFF CENTER THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

02/12/2020
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 02/06/2020
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53566L******
Summary

WENT TO CHANGE MY HEADLIGHT BULB AND NOTICES ALL OF THE WIRES WERE BARE. THE SHEATHING AROUND THE WIRES HAVE ALL CORRODED. THIS IS FOR THE COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. EVERY SINGLE WIRE HAS CORRODED. SEEMS LIKE A FIRE HAZARD.

01/17/2020
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/01/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

ABOUT 9 YEARS (2015) AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 55K MILES WHEN ISSUE BEGAN. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A MINOR OR MAJOR ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. CONTACTED BMW ABOUT ISSUE, BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY OF THE AIRBAG RECALLS THEY'VE INITIATED. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY ME TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE AND CONTINUED TO UTILIZE VEHICLE WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. IN FEBRUARY 2018, RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW REGARDING WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 15 YEARS FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT (OC3) FOR AIR BAG SYSTEM. BELIEVING AIRBAG ISSUE WAS DUE TO OC3 MAT, BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO LOCAL BMW DEALER TO GET REPAIR. BMW DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A "RESTRAINT PASS LOWER BELT UNIT FAULTING" AND NOT OC3 MAT. HAD REPAIR PERFORMED SUCCESSFULLY.

10/09/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 07/21/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33506L******
Summary

THE INSULATED WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAS HARDENED AND THE INSULATION HAD CRACKED AND FALLEN OFF. THIS ALLOWS THE WIRES TO SHORT AND CAUSES UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND OTHER ITEMS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE LIGHTS FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AND INTERMITTENTLY.

08/27/2019
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/18/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53566L******
Summary

VERY STICKY STEERING, DANGEROUS IN HOT WEATHER, THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO CORRECT IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.

07/08/2019
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/05/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: WBABT51080L******
Summary

MY BATTERY IS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT I CAN'T START THE ENGINE.-700KM OIL SERVICE WARNING LIGHT DISPLAY ON MY DASH.FUEL PUMP IS WORKING.THEM OPEN THE KEY LIKE THAT SOUND GAP GAP IS COME OUT...PLS HELP ME...

03/31/2019
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/29/2019
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53546L******
Summary

STEERING APPEARS TO BE STICKING OR STAYING AT A CERTAIN POINT IN THE STEERING RADIUS. I ALMOST VEERED INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I COMPENSATED IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT RELEASED ITS "STICK" AND TURN TO MUCH AND ALMOST VEERED INTO TRAFFIC I WAS IN. VERY SCARY, VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF MUCH INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. BAD

10/09/2018
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 10/08/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33506L******
Summary

RECURRING PROBLEM WITH STEERING INPUT EFFORT WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. THE STEERING STICKS WHEN IN THE CENTER POSITION. RESISTANCE IS FELT AND IS DIFFICULT TO RETURN BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. STICKING PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WITH WARM OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOVE 80 DEGREES. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES.

08/10/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 05/18/2018
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53526L******
Summary

THE CONVERTIBLE TOP FAILED 2011/30229 MILES, STILL UNDER CPO WARRANTY. THE DEALERSHIP ONLY TOPPED OFF THE HYDRAULIC FLUID AND CLAIMED NO LEAK FOUND. IT FAILED AGAIN 2014/45809 MILES. THIS TIME SEALS WERE REPLACED AND HYDRAULIC LINES. GOODWILL REPAIR WITH 50% OUT OF POCKET. IT FAILED AGAIN EARLIER THIS YEAR 2018/62112 MILES. THIS TIME I WAS QUOTED $2,938 TO $3,658. I HAD IT DIAGNOSED IN MAY AND WAS WAITING FOR AN ANSWER OF THE SERVICE MANAGER ABOUT BMW ASSISTING WITH THE REPAIR AND HAD NOT HEARD BACK. I INQUIRED AGAIN TWO DAYS AGO AND GOT A REPLY THAT BMW WOULD NOT PICK UP ANY OF THE REPAIR COST. IT APPEARS THAT IT WAS A SLOWLY DEVELOPING DEFECT. WHERE WOULD HAVE THE FLUID HAVE GONE AT THE FIRST REPAIR? ALSO DOING SOME RESEARCH TURNED UP A LOT OF THE SAME TROUBLE FOR OTHER OWNERS. APPARENTLY IT IS A DESIGN FLAW. WATER NOT DRAINING BECAUSE OF CLOGGING AND CONSEQUENTLY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.

07/12/2018
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Incident Date: 04/21/2018
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU535X6L******
Summary

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE AND SET ON FIRE, RESULTING IN A HOUSE BEING BURNED DOWN AND THE FATALITY OF MY FATHER. THE FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT WAS INCONCLUSIVE AS TO HOW THE FIRE STARTED.

09/28/2017
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/28/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33526L******
Summary

STEERING IS EXTREMELY NOTCHY AND UNPREDICTABLE, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. WHEN IN MOTION, THE STEERING WHEEL REQUIRES FORCE TO TURN, AND SOMETIMES WILL TURN SLIGHTLY WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. IT APPEARS THAT THE POWER ASSIST STEERING IS ACTUATING WHEN IT SHOULD NOT BE, CAUSING EITHER RESISTANCE TO STEERING INPUTS, OR APPLYING FORCE WHEN NO STEERING INPUT HAS BEEN APPLIED. WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING, OR AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS, NOISE CAN BE HEARD FROM THE POWER ASSIST MOTOR. IT ACTUATES WHEN NO STEERING INPUTS ARE BEING APPLIED. WHEN STEERING INPUTS ARE APPLIED, TOO MUCH RESISTANCE CAN BE FELT AND THE MOTOR MAKES ADDITIONAL NOISES. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN FEBRUARY OF 2016, AND THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE APPROXIMATELY SPRING OF 2016. IT HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.

08/16/2017
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/16/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33566L******
Summary

DURING WEATHER ABOVE 80 DEGREES, THE STEERING BECOMES "TWITCHY" OR "NOTCHY," NO LONGER SMOOTH, BUT REQUIRING ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, AT WHICH POINT, THE TIRES MOVE MORE THAN NEEDED, REQUIRING A STEERING ADJUSTMENT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. AT THE SAME TIME, THE CAR DOES NOT HOLD A "LINE" AS WELL, REQUIRING A SERIES OF SMALL LEFT AND RIGHT STEERING CORRECTIONS.

05/25/2017
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/19/2017
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU335X6L******
Summary

ON WARM DAYS THE STEERING ON MY 2006 BMW Z4 BECOMES UNRESPONSIVE AND UNPREDICTABLE. ON HOT DAYS IT IS DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. I HAVE READ IN MANY PLACES THAT THIS IS DUE TO A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN. ONE SOURCE WHO IS AN ASE-CERTIFIED MASTER TECHNICIAN SAYS THAT THE "BMW Z4 STICKY STEERING IS RELATED TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, THAT HAS BEEN RECTIFIED AS OF 2007 AND UP. THERE IS A BEARING LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THAT IS NOT SEALED. WITH TIME AND WHEN HOT, THE LUBRICANT GETS DRY AND GUMS UP. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THERE IS NOT A RACE FOR THE BEARING TO RIDE IN ' THE INNER RACE IS ACTUALLY THE STEERING SHAFT ITSELF, WHICH IS A POOR DESIGN". MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN 2006 AND HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. BMW APPARENTLY WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECTED IT THE FOLLOWING MODEL YEAR. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM, WHICH COULD GET WORSE OVER TIME. BMW SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT.

07/08/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/15/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33576L******
Summary

IN HIGHER TEMPERATURES THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VERY STICKY FEELING, FEELS UNSAFE. STEERING WILL NOT RETURN, WITHOUT ASSISTANCE WHEN GOING AROUND CURVES.

06/22/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 02/03/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 65K MILES ON IT WHEN THE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD INDICATED AN ISSUE. IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 08/06. READING FROM THE COMPUTER INDICATED A PASSENGER OCCUPANCY MAT FAILURE. BMW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS THROUGH MODEL YEAR 05 BUT WON'T DO ANYTHING FOR 2006. I CALLED BMW USA AND ESCALATED IT. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND STATED IT WILL NOT BE COVERED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS MAY PREVENT THE AIRBAG FROM OPERATING IN CASE OF A COLLISION FOR THE PASSENGER. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2006 MODEL OCCUPANCY MAT WITH THIS MY AND I THINK BMW SHOULD BE FORCED TO COVER THIS SAFETY HAZARD. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM BMW DEALER AS A PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR UNDER FULL WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ADDRESS REPAIRS UNDER THE CURRENT RECALLS. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED THE SAME WAY AS PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR Z4 VEHICLES. ACCORDING TO RECALL 13V-564 THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BUT BMW SAYS NO! HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/OWNERS/SEARCHRESULTS?REFURL=EMAIL&SEARCHTYPE=ID&TARGETCATEGORY=R&SEARCHCRITERIA.NHTSA_IDS=13V564

06/22/2016
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/22/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOISED THAT THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REAPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V564000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.

06/21/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/21/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33546L******
Summary

FAULTY STEERING WITH OUR 2006 BMW Z4. THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO STICKING STEERING IN HOT WEATHER. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE VERY UNSAFE. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS AVOIDED A RECALL. A RECALL IS WARRANTED.

06/14/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/01/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

FAULTY STEERING. STEERING IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF STICKY STEERING. IN HOT WEATHER THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE. STEERING IS MUCH WORSE.

06/07/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/07/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33506L******
Summary

THE PROBLEM OF THE STICKY STEERING OF THE Z4 IS RELATED TO THE WORM/REDUCTION GEAR MECHANISM THAT TRANSMITS THE TORQUE FROM THE ELECTRIC MOTOR TO THE STEERING SHAFT. THE CIRCULAR REDUCTION GEAR HAS A NYLON CROWN WITH TEETH. ALL THE SURROUNDING PARTS ARE METAL (STEEL OR ALUMINIUM). THE THERMAL EXPANSION OF THE NYLON IS 3X BIGGER THAN THE SURROUNDING PARTS. TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS EXPANSION, THERE SHOULD BE A CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE WORM GEAR AND THE REDUCTION GEAR. UNFORTUNATELY BMW AND THEIR STEERING SUPPLIER ZF NACAM CHOSE THIS CLEARANCE TOO SMALL. WHEN THE NYLON GETS WARM, THE CLEARANCE WITH THE WORM GEAR BECOMES ZERO AND THE REDUCTION GEAR IS STUCK WITH THE WORM GEAR. THE FRICTION INCREASES DRAMATICALLY AND YOU WILL THEN "FEEL" THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL TEETH OF THE REDUCTION GEAR. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE CAR DESIGEN AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.

05/25/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/25/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53556L******
Summary

THE STEERING IS VERY STICKY, SCARY WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE WARM. IT HAS SCARED ME TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHEN ITS ABOVE 70 DEGREES OUTSIDE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. ANY SPEED FROM 10 TO 70 MPH

05/20/2016
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/15/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53536L******
Summary

VERY STICKY STEERING, DANGEROUS IN HOT WEATHER, THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. I HAVE 65K MILES ON VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR OVER A YEAR TO GET THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED, NO ACCIDENT.

05/20/2016
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,ENGINE
Incident Date: 05/20/2016
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

SPRING IN STEERING WHEEL THAT IS PART OF AIR BAG CAUSES WARNING LIGHT. LESS THAN 50 K MILES ELECTRICAL ISSUES. HAVE HAD 2 REPLACE THE BATTERIES TWICE IN 5 YEARS. HAVING TO REPLACE THE BLOWER MOTOR TWICE, AND THE CONSOLE CONTROLS FOR AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATER. LASTLY, WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM AND YOU COME TO A STOP LIGHT, THE ENGINE SURGES DRASTICALLY. BMW SERVICE CLAIMS THAT IT IS NORMAL. AND

12/09/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/09/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBT53575L******
Summary

MY 2006 BMW Z4 HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE STEERING GETTING STUCK OR NOTCHY DURING WARMER TEMPERATURES. THE STEERING SEEMS TO GET STUCK. IT SOMETIMES REQUIRES SIGNIFICANT EFFORT TO CORRECT IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. MANY Z4 MODELS SUFFER FROM THIS ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED

10/11/2015
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 10/06/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33506L******
Summary

CHANGING A HEADLIGHT BULB ON DRIVERS SIDE NOTICED FLAKING INSULATION ON WIRING HARNESS. IN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING HEADLAMP, INSULATION ON ALL THE WIRING ALMOST COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THIS SAME CONDITION EXISTS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THIS WOULD SEEM TO PRESENT A FIRE HAZARD AT WORST AND A LOSS OF LIGHTING AT THE LEAST. I UNDERSTAND FROM READING VARIOUS FORUMS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ACROSS MANY BMW MODELS. FURTHER, IT APPEARS THAT BMW USED A SOY BASED INSULATION PRODUCT ON THESE WIRES. ISN'T SOY BIODEGRADABLE? WHY WOULD THIS BE USED IN A WIRING HARNESS.

09/10/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/10/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53546L******
Summary

STEERING IS "STICKY" WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. FEEL A RESISTANCE WHEN MAKING A SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT THUS RESULTING IN OVERSTEERING.

08/20/2015
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 08/20/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILURE. 2006 BMW Z4. SENSOR MAT FAILED WITHOUT STRESS ON THE SEAT. IT APPEARS TO FAIL OVER TIME. PASSENGER AIRBAG DEFAULTS TO OFF CONDITION. IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS WITH A PASSENGER IN THE CAR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. 2005 AND EARLIER MODELS HAVE BEEN OFFERED A 10 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO COVER THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SAME PART. NO ADDITIONAL WARRANTY HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR 2006 MODELS.

08/10/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/05/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33506L******
Summary

THE STEERING ON THE BMW IS EXTREMELY JERKY AND ERRATIC. IT SEEMS TO JUMP AND DOES NOT STEER EASILY. IT'S HARD TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL TURN RATHER .QUICKLY. THE STEERING STICKS, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WILL JERK TO THE SIDE THAT YOU WERE TRYING TO STEER TOO. IT'S EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND BMW NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES AND GET THE PROBLEM FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. ONCE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, I CAN SEE A HUGE LAWSUIT AGAINST BMW BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THESE MODEL OF CARS BUT WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE THEM RECALL THE Z4'S THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND LET THEM FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THANKS

07/17/2015
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/17/2015
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33586L******
Summary

WHILE DRIVING STEERING IS HARD TO TURN LOTS OF RESISTANCE THEN MOVES AND IS LOOSE . THIS COMES AND GOES HOWEVER SEAMS TO GET WORSE WITH HIGHER TEMPERATURE . OTHER TIMES IT'S JUST LOOSE OTHER TIMES FINE. MANY EXAMPLES IF YOU LOOK IT UP, MOST CALL IT STICKY STEERING. CAR HAS HAD FRONT END ALIGNMENT CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING CHECKING FOR WEAR { HAVE LIFE TIME ALIGNMENT} . NO CODES. AS I SAID THIS IS A BMW PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO IGNORE. FUN CAR TO DRIVE BUT I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I CAN SEE WHERE THIS PROBLEM COULD EASILY CAUSE YOU TO END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. DEFIANTLY NOT AN ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE NOW.

01/15/2015
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 10/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53586L******
Summary

FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING LIGHT ON - PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT FUNCTION IN EVENT OF COLLISION. PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WARNING CODE CAN NOT BE RESET. THE CAR AIR BAG SYSTEM HAS NEVER BEEN ACTIVATED BY COLLISION. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FIRST APPEARED WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN GARAGE AND IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH ANY COLLISION EVENTS. IT APPEARS TO BE LINKED TO SIMILARLY REPORTED BMW MODELS RECALLS INVOLVING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT FAILURES, WHICH REQUIRES SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM IS IT IS NOT CLEAR IF CURRENT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT RECALLS INCLUDE AND COVER THE BMW 2006 Z4 PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT REPLACEMENT. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM BMW DEALER AS A PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED CAR UNDER FULL WARRANTY. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ADDRESS REPAIRS UNDER THE CURRENT RECALLS.NEED YOUR HELP, THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY Z4 ON THE ROAD AND THE NUMBER OF OWNER REPORTED FAILURES IS LIKELY TO BE A SMALL NUMBER BUT THIS DOES NOT DIMINISH THE FACT THAT THE SEAT SENSOR MAT IN A Z4 ARE THE SAME EQUIPMENT BEING RECALLED FOR OTHER BMW MODELS. PLEASE EXTEND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT RECALL TO INCLUDE THE 2006 Z4 MODELS. THANK YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

10/24/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 08/15/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

THE BATTERY ON THE VEHICLE WAS DEAD AND REPLACED. AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE VEHICLE IS IN "TRANSPORTATION MODE". UNDER THIS MODE, THE AC, FAN AND REAR DEFROSTER DO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE NEED TO BE RETURNED TO THE DEALER TO REINITIALIZE THE SOFTWARE TO REMOVE THE TRANSPORTATION MODE. *TR

09/24/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/24/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53506L******
Summary

STEERING IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 85F. IT IS NOT SPEED DEPENDENT. WHEN STEERING IN EITHER DIRECTION THERE IS A STICKING FEEL THE RESULTS IN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OVERSTEER. IT APPEARS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT UNCOMMON BASED ON BMW OWNER FORUMS AND IS WELL DOCUMENT IN THE NHTSA COMPLAINT DATABASE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ISSUE RESULTS IN INJURY AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. *TR

09/21/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/20/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33566L******
Summary

I JUST PURCHASED A 2006 Z4 3.0I WITH 21000 MILES FROM A DEALERSHIP IN WILMINGTON, NC. DURING THE TEST DRIVE I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS UNUSUALLY STIFF AND AT HIGHER SPEEDS THE CAR WAS SOMEWHAT HARD TO KEEP IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I DISMISSED THE ISSUE AS A POSSIBLE ALIGNMENT OR WORN OUT TIRE ISSUE. ON THE 120 MILE DRIVE HOME TO RALEIGH, NC THE STEERING BECAME MORE AND MORE ERRATIC, PUSHING THE CAR HALF WAY TO THE OTHER LANE. I NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS GETTING REALLY STICKY AND JERKY THE LONGER I DROVE. WHEN TRYING TO SLIGHTLY CORRECT THE TRAJECTORY OF THE CAR TO ANY SIDE, THE STEERING WOULD NOT REACT TO LIGHT TORQUE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AS IT WOULD WITH ANY OTHER CAR I'VE DRIVEN BEFORE. WHEN APPLYING MORE FORCE THE STEERING WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP A DEGREE OR MORE, CAUSING THE CAR TO OVERSTEER AND MAKING FOR SOME RALLY SCARY AND ERRATIC MANEUVERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WHEN TRYING TO CORRECT THIS UNEXPECTED JUMP, THE CAR WOULD DO THE SAME THING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE RIGHT AND LEFT. LATER, WHEN COMING OUT OF A LONG RIGHT TURN ON A NARROW TWO LANE ROAD, THE STEERING WAS STUCK IN THE RIGHT TURN POSITION AND SUDDENLY POPPED INTO A LEFT TURNING POSITION, ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION WITH AN ONCOMING SEMI TRUCK. SINCE THE BEHAVIOR IS SO UNPREDICTABLE AND HARD TO CONTROL, I CONSIDER THIS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I GOT LUCKY AND I AM CONVINCED THAT IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

09/12/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/06/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33576L******
Summary

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE ONE MORNING AND NOTICED A SLIGHT STICKING FEELING IN MY STEERING. THINKING IT WAS A TIRE, I RAN MY ERRAND AND CHECKED MY TIRE INFLATION. ONE WEEK LATER WE TOOK A SHORT TRIP (50 MILES) AND THE FURTHER I GOT DOWN THE ROAD, THE MORE I FELT THIS NOTCH IN THE CENTER OF MY STEERING. WHEN ONE TRIES TO OVERCOME THIS NOTCH, YOU OVERCORRECT THE STEERING AND COULD POSSIBLY DART OFF TOO FAST. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. AGAIN WE CHECKED OUR TIRES WHICH SEEMED TO BE FINE, THEN DETERMINED IT WAS IN THE STEERING. WE RESEARCHED FOR SIMILAR SITUATIONS ON LINE AND FOUND THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THESE CARS PRIOR TO 06/2006. OUR CAR WAS MFG. 04/2006. IS THERE A RECALL IN PLACE FOR THIS WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM? *TR

08/19/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/16/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USB4335X6L******
Summary

EPS SUDDENLY DISCONNECT THE POWER STEERING, DIFFICULT TO STEER. *TR

08/05/2014
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 11/20/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53536L******
Summary

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SEAT MAT SENSOR SHORTED. *TR

08/04/2014
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 07/18/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UMBT935X6L******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE CAM AND THE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

07/11/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/09/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33506L******
Summary

JUST PURCHASED THE CAR 2 WEEKS AGO AND I LIVE IN TEXAS. THE CAR DRIVES FINE IN THE MORNING BUT AFTER IT SITS IN THE SUN ALL DAY LONG AND YOU DRIVE IT THE STEERING IS STICKY, MEANING THAT IT WANTS TO TURN RIGHT WITHOUT CAUSE AND THEN JUMPS BACK TO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. *TR

06/25/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/22/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53566L******
Summary

I HAVE A 2004 Z4 3.0 WITH 69K MILES. HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND HAVE NOTICED A STEERING ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I RESEARCHED THIS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. MOST RELATE TO ISSUES IN HOT TEMPERATURES, MINE IS MORE RELATED TO SPEED. HERE ARE THE SYMPTOMS... AT LOW SPEEDS (UNDER 20MPH) STEERING IS VERY LIGHT AND SMOOTH, NO ISSUES AT ALL. AS SPEED INCREASES, THE STEERING GETS HEAVIER (AS IT SHOULD) BUT DEVELOPS A "DETENT" AT STRAIGHT CENTER. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES. *TR

06/20/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 04/02/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33516L******
Summary

PURCHASE THE LISTED VEHICLE IN POMPANO BEACH, FL WHICH IS OVER 250 MILES FROM OUR HOME. TEST DROVE AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE WORKING IN A NORMAL MANNER. ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HOME, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON LOCATED ON THE CONSOLE, AS WELL AS ON THE DASH. THE DEALER WHERE THE PURCHASE WAS MADE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNLESS WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM OR ONE OF THEIR OTHER FACILITIES, THE NEAREST ONE OVER 100 MILES AWAY. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD STILL DEPLOY PROPERLY EVEN WITH THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEING ON. ON 06/18/14, I WENT ONLINE TO SEE HOW THE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR COULD BE REPLACED. LO AND BEHOLD, I FOUND A LETTER FROM NHTSA STATING THAT THE SEAT SENSORS COULD CRACK AND AFFECT THE PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. MY VEHICLE YEAR AND MODEL WAS LISTED AS AN AFFECTED MODEL. WE VISITED THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN OCALA, FL TODAY AND SHOWED THE NHTSA LETTER TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR AND HE STATED HE HAD NO HISTORY OF A RECALL. BMW WANTS TO USE THE VIN # AS A DETERMINING FACTOR. ALTHOUGH THE NHTSA LETTER DOES NOT SAY A WORD ABOUT VIN'S, BUT RATHER, JUST YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL. IT ALSO CLEARLY INDICATES THAT ALL SEAT SENSORS COULD CRACK AFFECTING THE SAFETY OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, THIS INDICATES TO ME THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN, NOT THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. BMW DOES NOT WANT TO DO A THING ABOUT IT UNLESS I PAY THEM $159.95 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND I CONSIDER THIS AS BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF AS A RESULT OF BEING A 79 YEAR OLD SENIOR CITIZEN. CAN YOU HELP ME WITH MY DILEMMA? FOR THE RECORD, THE VEHICLE WAS OFFERED FOR SALE BY LEXUS OF CLEARWATER ON 02/06/14. ASSUMING IT DID NOT SELL WITH THIS DEALER, THEN MERCEDES OF POMPANO ACQUIRED THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED IT FOR SALE ON 03/06/14. I MADE THE PURCHASE ON 04/02/14. ALL OF THESE DATES ARE CLOSELY RELATED TO THE MIDDLE OF THIS RECALL TAKING PLACE. *TR

06/17/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/10/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53516L******
Summary

I PICKED UP THIS CAR USED WITH 57000 MILES ON IN MAY 2013. THE STEERING HAS ALWAYS BEEN 'TOUCHY' BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT'S BECAUSE IT'S A SPORTS CAR. WHEN DRIVING CAR IN TEMPERATURES AROUND 85 AND UP THE STEERING GETS REALLY 'JERKY' . THIS STARTED IN JUNE 2013 AS THE WEATHER WARMED UP. IT'S MY 2ND CAR SO DON'T DRIVE IT EVERY DAY AND DID NOT NOTICE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL THE WEATHER TURNED HOT . HIGH 80'S INTO THE 90'S. I DIDN'T USE IT MUCH DURING THE REALLY HOT WEATHER LAST YEAR. BUT THE PROBLEM WAS THERE. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRES, HAD THEM CHECKED AND HAD NO ISSUES. TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT IN THE SPRING. THESE PAST FEW DAYS THE WEATHER HAS TURNED REALLY WARM. I DROVE THE CAR TO WORK, LEFT AT 4PM YESTERDAY WITH THE TEMP OVER 90 AND THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT! THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT GLIDE SMOOTHLY LEFT OR RIGHT. IT'S LIKE IT GETS STUCK, YOU PULL IT BACK CAUSING YOU TO OVERSTEER, YOU PULL IT BACK THE OTHER WAY. I FOUGHT THIS ALL THE WAY HOME FOR 23 MILES. THE TEMPERATURE AND THE ERRATIC STEERING WAS SO BAD YESTERDAY THAT I WILL NOT DRIVE IT. IT IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE TODAY. I CALLED THE DEALER, TOM BUSH BMW IN JACKSONVILLE FL, TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLETINS I FOUND AND THIS WEBSITE WHERE OTHERS ARE REPORTING IT. I ALSO CALLED BMW NA AND THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER FIRST. I HAVE LEFT 2 MESSAGES AND I HAVE A FEELING I WILL HAVE TO KEEP CALLING. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. YOU CANNOT KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT WITHOUT JERKY IT BACK AND FORTH WHEN OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85. THIS CAUSES YOU TO OVERSTEER AND DRIVE ERRATICALLY. IT'S VERY HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR. I LIVE IN FLORIDA. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE FIRST? THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, WHAT HAS THE NHTSA DONE TO INVESTIGATE? *TR

05/30/2014
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 05/25/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33556L******
Summary

THE INDICATOR FOR "PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG DEACTIVATED" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE "AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WARNING LAMP ON THE DASH CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. THIS OCCURRED ON THE FIRST START OF THE DAY AFTER HAVING DRIVEN IT SEVERAL DAYS BEFORE WITH NO ISSUES. I DID NOT, AND HAD NEVER TURNED THE PASSENGER AIRBAGS OFF. I SUSPECT THIS IS DUE TO A FAILED SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, SIMILAR TO WHAT INITIATED THE RECENT RECALL FOR OTHER MODELS. I CONTACTED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS VERY ISSUE THAT IS APPLICABLE TO OTHER BMW MODELS OUTSIDE THE RECALL IS NOT APPLICABLE TO MY CAR. I NOW HAVE WHAT I SUSPECT IS A KNOWN SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY THAT I MUST RESOLVE ON MY OWN. *TR

05/13/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/13/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU535X6L******
Summary

AT 5PM I DROVE THE CAR TO MARKET. STEERING FELT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OR NULL POINT. IT TOOK SOME FORCE TO MOVE STEERING WHEEL PAST THE STUCK FEELING AND THEN THE SAME EFFORT TO RETURN TO THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE EXCEEDS 80+ DEGREES F. IT IS A VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND UNSAFE PROBLEM AS THE CORRECTION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO SWERVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR THE SWALE OR CURB. *TR

04/29/2014
Components: ENGINE
Incident Date: 03/08/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 5UMBT93516L******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE ENGINE AS HAVING LOW COMPRESSION AND HE HEARD THE TIMING CHAIN FLAPPING. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THE DEALER TAKING A LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE BOLTS HOLDING THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER HAD SHEARED OFF. UPDATED 07/15/14

03/18/2014
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/18/2014
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USDU53416L******
Summary

GOT IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT AND THE LIGHT FOR THE POWER STEERING CAME ON AND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. WENT HOME AND LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL AND THAT YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN LOOKING IN TO IT. PLAN TO CALL THE DEALER TOMORROW. *TR

01/13/2014
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 10/07/2013
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBT53565L******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

12/09/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 09/12/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU335X6L******
Summary

VEHICLE HAS A FLAT SPOT IN THE STEERING SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE TEMPERATURE RELATED AS IT IS NOT AS SEVER AS WHEN IT IS A COOL DAY. THE STEERING SEEMS TO LOCK UP IN THE STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION. *TR

10/02/2013
Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS
Incident Date: 09/02/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33566L******
Summary

REFERENCE DEFECT INVESTIGATION EA08001, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V384000; PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY PAD CRACKED CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT THAT REMAINS ON. UNCLEAR WHICH (IF ANY) AIRBAGS ARE OPERATIVE. REFERENCE CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME ISSUE DID NOT INCLUDE THIS YEAR VEHICLE. BMW PROVIDED FOR EXTENDED 10 YEAR WARRANTY ON 2004-2005 Z4 VEHICLES AS PART OF THE RESOLUTION TO REFERENCE CAMPAIGN. *TR

09/26/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/15/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

ON HOT DAYS (85F+) THE STEERING SEEMS TO "STICK" REQUIRING MORE THAN NORMAL FORCE TO "BREAK" THE STICK AND RESUME NORMAL STEERING. THIS CAN BE VERY DISCONCERTING AS IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR IN THE WINTER. *JS

09/26/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Incident Date: 09/24/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

ON MY 2006 BMW Z4 3.0I, WHILE REPLACING A BLOWN HEADLIGHT BULB I DISCOVERED THAT THE INSULATION ON THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT WIRING WAS CRUMBLING OFF AND IN PARTS HAD BARE COPPER WIRE SHOWING. AS THIS IS THE MAIN HEADLIGHT WIRING AND BOTH THE + AND - WIRES WERE SHOWING BARE COPPER A SHORT CIRCUIT AND OR FIRE COULD BE POSSIBLE. THIS WIRING IS WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING IT'S SELF. UPON DOING RESEARCH ONLINE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON AFFECTED. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER WHO SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS AT THIS TIME AND I COULD CALL BMW NA. I CALLED BMW NA WHO REPEATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND SAID THEY WOULD MAKE A NOTE OF IT BUT OFFERED NO OTHER HELP. *JS

08/15/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 12/01/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: WLW68468USB******
Summary

STEERING IS JERKY FROM CENTER POSITION. EXTRA EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO MOVE STERRING WHEEL FROM CENTER POSITION CAUSING OVER CORRECTION IN EITHER DIRECTION. SOMETIMES THIS EXTRA EFFORT PUTS THE CAR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR THE DITCH. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AN I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. BMW WANTS TO REPLACE THE STEERING SYSTEM (EXPENSIVE). THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

08/12/2013
Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
Incident Date: 08/09/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33586L******
Summary

DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR FELL OF MOUNT. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO THE MIRROR MOUNT. I HAVE CHECKED BMW WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT IT IS DUE TO POOR GLUE/GLUING. THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO FLYING GLASS, AND IMPAIR DRIVER'S REAR VIEW. *TR

07/25/2013
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 07/25/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33586L******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

06/01/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 06/01/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBT33594L******
Summary

THIS 2006 BMW HAS THE "STICKY STEERING" PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TO THE NHTSA. THE PROBLEM OCCURS 100% OF THE TIME. WHEN DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT TURN WITHOUT APPLYING EXCESSIVE FORCE TO "UNSTICK" THE MECHANISM AND HAVE THE STEERING WHEEL, AND IN TURN, THE CAR STEER PROPERLY. THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS IS. THERE CAN BE A DELAY WHEN REACTING TO CORNERS, ON COMING TRAFFIC OR ANY NUMBER OF NORMAL DRIVING HAZARDS. *TR

04/11/2013
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/06/2013
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33556L******
Summary

WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON A WARM DAY, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY RIGID AND STIFF. WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO MAKE SMALL ADJUSTMENTS IN THE LINE OF DIRECTION, THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND. THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED AND THE TIRES REPLACED. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY WRONG WITH THE STEERING MECHANISM AND THE CAR BECOMES HARD TO MANAGE. ACCIDENTS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WHEN THE DRIVER CAN'T MAKE TIMELY ADJUSTMENTS TO COURSE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

01/18/2013
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 12/29/2012
Crash: No
Fire: Yes
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USDU53496L******
Summary

ALL SERVICE AND REPAIRS OF THIS CPO PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP. FIRE CAUSED TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION MELTING INTERIOR AND NEARLY BURNING DRIVER-DAMAGE MOST SEVERE ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE AND EXTENDS TO THE CAR EXTERIOR. FIRE STARTED WHILE VEHICLE MOVING ON HEAVILY USED PUBLIC ROAD SHORTLY AFTER WARNING SYMBOL FOR BLINKERS ACTIVATED AND BLINKERS ON PASSENGER SIDE INCREASED IN SPEED. *TR

10/24/2012
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/12/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33586L******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 08V384000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

09/19/2012
Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 10/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53516L******
Summary

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE BECAUSE ONCE THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO NORMAL SPEED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE GRADUALLY AT A HIGHER SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED THAT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

08/07/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/16/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33546L******
Summary

THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN TEMPS ARE ABOVE 90 DEGREES. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO EITHER SIDE THERE IS A QUICK OVER STEER AT THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TRY AND CORRECT WHICH THEN CAUSES A REVERSE OVER STEER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED BY OTHER OWNERS TO NHTSA AND BMWNA BUT IGNORED OR VIEWED AS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I BEG TO DIFFER. I'VE EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND THE CAUSE AND AFFECT OF THIS STEERING ISSUE WHEN TRYING TO AVOID AN OBJECT ON THE HIGHWAY THAT ONLY REQUIRED A RELATIVELY EASY TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE "STICKY STEERING" THE MINOR MANEUVER BECAME A MAJOR CONTROL ISSUE TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO A NORMAL STEERING PATH. THIS PROBLEM IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT BMW Z MODEL OWNERS AS "STICKY STEERING". I WILL NOT LET MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. IT IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS. WHY IS THIS ISSUE NOT BEING ADDRESSED. IT IS SO WIDE SPREAD AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

07/17/2012
Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Incident Date: 07/17/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU535X6L******
Summary

THE STEERING WHEEL INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS UP AT HIGHER SPEEDS (50-70 MPH). USUALLY THE ISSUE HAPPENS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 85 DEGREES. *TR

05/29/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/29/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53526L******
Summary

STEERING WHEEL TENDS TO 'DETENT' IN ONE POSITION UNTIL MOVED TO ANOTHER POSITION. STEERING RESPONSE IS NOT SMOOTH AND LINEAR. VEHICLE STEERING IS 'DARTY' AND UNPREDICTABLE - MORE PRONOUNCED ON CROWNED ROADS. LANE CONTROL IS DIFFICULT AND REQUIRES CONSTANT STEER / COUNTER STEER TO PREVENT LANE EXCURSIONS. HIGHER AMBIENT TEMPERATURES TEND TO COMPOUND / AMPLIFY PROBLEM. VEHICLE BUILD DATE IS 05 / 2006. *TR

04/29/2012
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/28/2012
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

THE STEERING PSEUDO-LOCKS (HAS A "TICK") AND ITS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO HOLD THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT. ONE IS CONTINUALLY FIGHTING THE STEERING TICK/LOCK TO KEEP THE CAR GOING STRAIGHT. *TR

10/22/2011
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 09/03/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33566L******
Summary

PASSENGER AIRBAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT ALWAYS ON (SINCE 20,000 MILES APPROX) TOGETHER WITH DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT. GARAGE DIAGNOSED FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT PRESSURE MAT AND ADVISED PASSENGER AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. BMW NORWELL MA, WHO SOLD THE CAR TO US, STATED NO RECALL ON 2006 MODEL (CONVERSATION WITH THEIR SERVICE DEPT. OF 10/21/2011) ALTHOUGH ALL Z4S UP TO 2005 WERE RECALLED FOR MAT REPLACEMENT. BMW WERE CLEARLY STILL FITTING DEFECTIVE PRESSURE MATS IN THE 2006 MODELS AND WOULD APPEAR TO BE NOT ONLY JEOPARDIZING OUR SAFETY BUT ALSO AVOIDING THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. *TR

08/21/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/20/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USB433556L******
Summary

ON HOT DAYS, THE STEERING ON MY BMW "STICKS." THIS IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE OF A PROBLEM. I JUST DROVE THE CAR HOME FROM THE MECHANIC ON A 60 MILE TRIP. THE PROBLEM CAUSES ME TO HAVE OVERSTEER AND OVER-CORRECT WHEN CHANGING LANES. IT'S INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FURTHERMORE, I NOW DRIVE WITH MY FOREARMS COMPLETELY TENSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEM WHICH RESULTS IN UNDUE FATIGUE. MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED TAT THE ONLY REMEDY IS AN ENTIRELY NEW STEERING RACK, IN EXCESS OF $2,000. THE CAR ONLY HAS 52,000 MILES THOUGH IT IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE, INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR SOME TIME (AT LEAST 25,000 MILES) BUT I'M BEGINNING TO FEEL AT MORE AND MORE OF A RISK. I MENTIONED IT TO THE DEALER WHEN IT FIRST BEGAN HAPPENING, WHILE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. *TR

08/13/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/13/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53586L******
Summary

SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE 10-020 "STICKY STEERING" OCCURS DURING PERIODS OF HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THE CAR DARTS AND WANDERS. IT IS EXTREMELY DISCONCERTING AND REQUIRES CONSTANT ATTENTION. AN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS AT THE CENTER POSITION AND THEDRIVER ATTEMPTS TO MAKE SMALL STEERING ADJUSTMENTS. THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME INCIDENT SO "APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE" IS INAPPROPRIATE. IT IS CONSTANT. ALSO NOT SURE WHY THE INVESTIGATION YOU CONDUCTED LISTS ONLY '03-05 WHEN IT CLEARLY STATES IN THE INVESTIGATION THAT BMW DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM UNTIL JULY 2006. MY CAR IS A 2006 WITH A JUNE 2006 BUILD DATE, JUST PRIOR TO THE FIX OF THE ACKNOWLEDGED PROBLEM. *TR

06/09/2011
Components: STEERING,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Incident Date: 06/08/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33546L******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW ROADSTER Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 70 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE MOVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN OIL SEPARATOR TO AVOID A YELLOW LIQUID FROM FORMING WITHIN THE OIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

06/06/2011
Components: AIR BAGS
Incident Date: 02/14/2011
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33516L******
Summary

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY... IS NOT SENSING WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED... LM ALWAYS NERVOUS THINKING THAT MY WIFE IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WHEN WE ARE IN THE CAR. DID A RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THAT A LOT BMWS WENT TO RECALL BECAUSE OF THIS...CALLED BMW 1800 NUMBER... AND THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT IN THAT RECALL... THE SITUATION IS REALLY BAD AND THE DEALERS SAYS TO FIX THE PROBLEM...WILL BE AROUND 2000 USD. *TR

03/31/2011
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 03/25/2011
Crash: Yes
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33526L******
Summary

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE STEERING PULLED TO THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING PULL TO THE RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURB CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT FENDER AND SIDES. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THE STEERING PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

11/04/2010
Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Date: 06/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53506L******
Summary

THIS REPORT CONCERNS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH A 2006 BMW Z4 WITH A 3.0 ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT BEGAN EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN ACCELERATING WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND WILL SOMETIMES MAINTAIN A CONSTANT SPEED WHEN THE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IT WILL ACCELERATE WELL PAST 100MPH WITHOUT STOPPING. THE THREE WAYS THAT STOP THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION IS TO 1. APPLY THE BRAKES, 2. PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR INTO NEUTRAL, OR 3. TAP THE 'OFF' POSITION ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER. CRUISE CONTROL HAS NEVER BEEN UTILIZED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THERE ARE NO FLOOR MATS IN THE VEHICLE THAT COULD IMPEDE THE FUNCTIONING OF THE ACCELERATOR. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. A TECH WORKING ON THE VEHICLE STATED THAT HE BELIEVED IT WAS A CRUISE CONTROL SENSOR, BUT THE SHOP FOREMAN DETERMINED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. BMW OF NORTH AMERICA INSPECTED THE CAR AND HAVE STATED THAT 'THEY WILL STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT AND THAT NO DEFECT EXISTS.' I HAVE PROVIDED VIDEO DOCUMENTATION OF THIS ISSUE TO BMW. *TR

09/03/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/03/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33536L******
Summary

WHEN CORNERING IN MY 2006 BMW Z4 THE ELECTRIC STEERING WILL SEEM TO STICK IN ONE POSITION THEN REQUIRING FORCE TO RELEASE, NORMALLY HAPPENS ON RAMPS AND OFF RAMPS WHEN CORNERING, CAR THEN WILL DART WHEN YOU FORCE THE WHEEL, COULD BECOME A STICKY SITUATION IF IT GETS WORSE. *TR

08/25/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/24/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53506L******
Summary

OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE POWER STEERING SEEMED TO STICK IN ONE PLACE, REQUIRING MORE THAN USUAL EFFORT TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

08/07/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 08/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU535X6L******
Summary

POWER STEERING STICKING, NOTCHY FEELING, TOOK TO DEALER, DEALER REPLACED STEERING COLUMN UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

08/04/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/15/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53556L******
Summary

2006 BMW Z4 3.0SI ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM REQUIRES REPEATED CORRECTIONS TO STAY GOING STRAIGHT DOWN ROAD. IT'S AS IS IT WILL ONLY STEER 3 DEGREES OR MORE IN EACH DIRECTION, BUT NEVER IN 1 DEGREE INCREMENTS. THIS ONLY HAPPENS ON VERY HOT DAYS AFTER BEING PARKED OUTSIDE IN SUN. *TR

07/30/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/22/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53516L******
Summary

IN HOT WEATHER (OVER 90 DEGREES F), AFTER SITTING IN THE SUN, STEERING WILL BIND OR STICK WHEN TURNING. IT REQUIRES MORE FORCE THAN NORMAL AND DOES NOT RETURN TO CENTER AS EASILY. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO TAKE CORNERS SMOOTHLY. SITUATION GETS BETTER AS CAR INTERIOR COOLS. *TR

07/18/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 07/01/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33526L******
Summary

THE STEERING IN MY CAR SEEMS A LITTLE ODD AT SPEED. THE CAR WANTS TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH WHEN TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. I THOUGHT IT MY BE THE ROAD CONDITIONS BUT I AM NOT TOTALLY CONVINCED THAT THE STEERING SHOULD BE BAD ENOUGH THAT YOU MANY NEED TO SLOW DOWN IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY STEERING CORRECTIONS AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES AS ME AS O HAVE READ POST AFTER POST TO THE PROBLEM WHILE LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS. I HAVE TRIED BUYING NEW TIRES AND THAT SEEMS TO CUT IT DOWN SOME BUT IT DID NOT GET RID OF WHAT SOME CALL TRAMLINING. I AM CALLING IT SWAYING AS I MAY NOT KNOW THE CORRECT TERMINOLOGY. I HOPE THAT YOU INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE SO THAT WE CAN TRULY FIND THE ISSUE SO THAT A FIX CAN BE PUT INTO PLACE SO THAT THESE CARS ARE MORE SAFE. *TR

07/08/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/02/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33596L******
Summary

I HAVE HAD A RECURRING SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING INPUT EFFORT, ESPECIALLY WHEN HOT OUTSIDE. THE STEERING SEEMS VERY HEAVY AND STICKS WHEN CLOSE TO THE ON-CENTER POSITION, AND IS VERY HEAVY AND DIFFICULT TO RETURN BACK TO THE ON-CENTER POSITION. IT IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR MY WIFE AND I NOW FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF SERVICE VERY FREQUENTLY SINCE APRIL OF 2010. IT IS IN SERVICE FOR THE FORTH TIME NOW REGARDING THE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE THIS TIME HAS BEEN IN NOW FOR ALMOST A MONTH AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. *TR

04/14/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 04/14/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33556L******
Summary

TODAY I EXPERIENCED A STEERING PROBLEM WITH MY 2006 BMW Z-4. THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS APPROX 86 DEGREES. I NOTICED THE STEERING (WHICH IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED) BECAME VERY HEAVY AND IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE. TWICE THE VEHICLE JUTTED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO RIDE ON THE EDGE OF THE ROAD (HITTING THE GRINDERS) - IT TOOK BOTH HANDS AND A TIGHT GRIP TO MAINTAIN CENTER. I FIRST NOTICED THIS PROBLEM LAST SUMMER - STEERING IS NORMAL AT COOLER TEMPS BUT TODAY IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER LAST SUMMER AND THEY FOUND NO FAULT CODES, BUT THIS IS A DEFINITE PROBLEM AND BMW IS VERY AWARE OF IT. *TR

03/02/2010
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 02/17/2010
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU53526L******
Summary

BMW 2006 Z-4 3.0 SI POWER STEERING UNIT FAILED TO OPERATE AT VEHICLE START UP. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER (BMW LONG BEACH CA) WHERE THE FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING UNIT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE MECHANIC. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE UNIT BY THE DEALER THE UNIT BEGAN TO OPERATE WITH NO FURTHER FAULTS FOUND, AN ADDITIONAL THREE DAYS OF TESTING AND TROUBLESHOOTING BY THE DEALER FAILED TO IDENTIFY OR REPEAT THE ORIGINAL FAULT WITH THE UNIT-- NO PARTS WERE REPLACED. *TR

05/31/2009
Components: STEERING
Incident Date: 05/30/2009
Crash: No
Fire: No
Vehicle Identification Number: 4USBU33556L******
Summary

THIS CONCERNS MANY BMW Z4 EPS (ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING) WHEN THE CAR SET IN HOT WEATHER AND THEN I GO TO DRIVE IT, THE STEERING BECOMES VERY TIGHT AND DOES NOT ALWAYS RETURN TO CENTER. ALSO THERE IS A LAG IN STEERING TURNING OR NULL SPOT OF ALMOST NO RESPONSE FOR UP TO ONE INCH OF STEERING WHEEL TURN. THIS TIGHT SLUG EST RESPONSE TO IS TOTALLY OPPOSITE IN COOL WEATHER WHEN THERE IS NO PROBLEM IN STEERING RESPONSE. *TR

03/28/2008
Components: TIRES
Incident Date: 09/25/2007
Crash: No
Fire: No
Summary

HI, MY DESCRIPTION IS TOO LONG , I WILL EMAIL IT SEPARATELY TO NHTSA. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD RUN FLAT TIRES AND THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, ONE OF THE TIRES SUDDENLY COLLAPSED AND SHREDDED. BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE RUN FLAT, THE CONSUMER STATED HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE 50 MILES AFTER LOOSING PRESSURE, YET IT GAVE WAY COMPLETELY IN AN INSTANT. EVEN AFTER THE BLOWOUT, THE TPMS DID NOT INDICATED THAT THE TIRE WAS LOW EVEN AFTER THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY OFF THE RIM WITH ZERO PRESSURE. IT WAS LATER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WAS A NAIL IN THE BLOWN TIRE PROVING THAT IT HAD BEEN LOOSING AIR FOR SOME TIME AND WAS DRIVEN ANYWAY DUE TO THE TPMS NOT WORKING. UPDATED 04/04/08

1 Recalls

for 2006 BMW Z4
04/04/2019
CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V273000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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.
Campaign Number: 19V273000
Manufacture: BMW of North America, LLC
Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
Summary

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Get started for free

Get a free preview of the report