2004 Bmw Z4 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
411 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
47,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 372 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 362 of 411 complaints (88.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 374 | 91.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 3.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 1.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 362 |
| Air Bags | 17 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Steering:Electric Power Assist System | 9 |
| Steering:Column | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
Steering: 362; Air Bags: 17; Electrical System: 14; Steering:Electric Power Assist System: 9; Steering:Column: 7; Exterior Lighting: 6; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 68 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 129 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 105 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 42 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 26 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 68; 25,000 to 49,999: 129; 50,000 to 74,999: 105; 75,000 to 99,999: 42; 100,000 to 149,999: 26; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (129). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 74 |
| 2011 | 57 |
| 2012 | 36 |
| 2013 | 42 |
| 2014 | 29 |
| 2015 | 31 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2017 | 11 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2004: 1; 2005: 5; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 13; 2009: 18; 2010: 74; 2011: 57; 2012: 36; 2013: 42; 2014: 29; 2015: 31; 2016: 26; 2017: 11; 2018: 15; 2019: 16; 2020: 17; 2021: 4; 2022: 5; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 374 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10118836 · 2005-05-02 (May 2, 2005)
PROBLEM: EPS STEERING GETS VERY STICKY AFTER CAR HAS SAT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR A FEW HOURS. MINOR STEERING CORRECTIONS ARE NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. PROBLEM CLEARS UP AFTER CAR HAS BEEN GARAGED FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND ALLOWED TO COOL. THIS PROBLEM MAKES THE CAR FEEL VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM CONSTANTLY WORRIED IT MIGHT FAIL ENTIRELY AT SOME POINT -- HOPEFULLY NOT WHILE I AM DRIVING IT. PROBLEM WAS FIRST NOTICED AT THE END OF SUMMER LAST YEAR (2004). CAR WAS PURCHASED IN JULY. THIS YEAR, IT HAS BEGUN ALREADY (SINCE MID-APRIL 2005).
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118836 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127233 · 2005-07-01 (July 1, 2005)
IN VERY HOT HOT WEATHER THE STEERING BECOMES DANGEROUSLY OFF-CENTER.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,775 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295779 · 2009-12-15 (December 15, 2009)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE STEERING WHEEL EXHIBITED A NOTCHY SENSATION. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF THE POWER STEERING COLUMN . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295779 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295924 · 2009-12-15 (December 15, 2009)
STEERING FEELS "STICKY" SIMILAR TO OTHER REPORTS FILED, PREVIOUS ODI CASE NUMBER 10288772 REPORTED 06/30/09. ON 11 NOVEMBER 09 MILEAGE 82,745, ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING (EPS) FAILED COMPLETELY, WARNING LIGHT ON DASH, CAR STILL DRIVABLE WITHOUT POWER STEERING FOR LIMITED DISTANCE TO DEALER. CAUSE FOUND TO BE CODE 611C3 FAILED EPS UNIT. REPAIR WAS STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT & REPROGRAMMING IAW SIB32-06-05. ALL PREVIOUS PROBLEMS ARE GONE, CAR STEERS LIKE BRAND NEW, DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I'D BEEN MISSING. REPAIR COST WAS $50 DEDUCTIBLE UNDER EXTENDE…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,745 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295924 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355001 · 2010-09-11 (September 11, 2010)
2004 BMW Z4 WITH LOSS OF POWER ASSISTED STEERING. DEALER MADE FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED. OLD PARTS TO FRONT END WERE NOT GIVEN BACK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355001 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10453211 · 2012-03-27 (March 27, 2012)
THE Z4 HAS AN POWER STEERING PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURES WHERE THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOSS OF POWER STEERING WHERE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED EFFORT TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR AND DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE KEEPING THE CAR IN THE LANE. SOMETIMES THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT IS STUCK. I THINK THAT THE CAR IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR SINCE I AM A WOMAN AND MAY NOT HAVE THE PROPER …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10453211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10377203 · 2011-01-19 (January 19, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING HER VEHICLE AND STARTING IT, SHE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 32,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,900.
Owner-reported narrative. 41,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377203 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11251942 · 2019-08-28 (August 28, 2019)
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND MORE SO WHEN THE TEMP IS WARM OR STEERING COLUMN HAS WARMED UP THE STEERING BECOMES "STICKY", IN THAT IT TAKES AN EFFORT TO OVERCOME THE SPOT IT IS IN AS OPPOSED TO SMOOTHLY MOVING/STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT. IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE TO STEER WITH ONE HAND (6 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION) AS IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE GOING TO OVER CORRECT THE STEERING WHEN TRYING TO MAKE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS TO MAINTAIN DRIVING DOWN THE CENTER OF YOUR LANE. ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC! I35W MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11251942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10401989 · 2011-05-18 (May 18, 2011)
PUSHED BRAKES HARD FOR A NEAR EMERGENCY STOP AND THE VEHICLE CAREENED TO THE RIGHT AND ALMOST RAN OFF THE ROAD. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY INSTANCES OF ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ITSELF OFF THE ROAD, THE TERMINOLOGY FOR GROUPS WITH THIS TYPE OF CAR IS "TRAMLINING". I THOUGHT IT ODD THAT SO MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT A TERM WOULD BE APPLIED TO THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THAT THIS DEFECT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SERIOUS AND POSSIBLY FATAL ACCIDENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 28,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10401989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10457606 · 2012-05-06 (May 6, 2012)
STEERING HAS A "NOTCHED" OR "STICKY" FEEL TO IT WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS AT SPEEDS AROUND 50MPH AND HIGHER. WHEN THE NEED TO TURN ARISES AND THE STEERING WHEEL "STICKS" IN THE 'NOTCH", IT REQUIRES EXTRA EFFORT TO GET THE WHEEL OUT OF THE NOTCH, CAUSING "OVER STEER" WITH DIFFICULT RECOVERY. I WON'T LET MY WIFE DRIVE THE Z-4 AS I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS CHARACTERISTIC THAT COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. MY DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SITUATION BUT WAS "UNABLE TO DUPLICATE" THE FAULT; (PRIOR TO MY WARRANTY RUNNING OUT). ON THE FOLLOWING SERVIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10457606 at NHTSA ↗