2004 Bmw Z4: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10058973 · 2004-02-25 (February 25, 2004)
POOR VISABILITY OUT OF CONVERTIBLE CONCELLED DURING TEST DRIVE. CAR HAS LIMITED SIGHT ON RIGHT WITH TOP UP. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058973 at NHTSA ↗
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 10134090 · 2005-08-24 (August 24, 2005)
MY BMW Z4 YR. 2004 DURING HOT WEATHER SEEMS TO HAVE A STEERING PROBLEM. YHE STEERING STICKS AND FEEL NOTCHY, ON THE HIGHWAY IT ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT DUE TO TRY ING TO STEER AND OVER COMPINSATING. THANK YOU
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143297 · 2005-11-21 (November 21, 2005)
WHILE DRIVING WITH TOP DOWN IN COLD WEATHER WITH HEAT ON HIGH, STEERING BECAME STICKY/NOTCHY. I COULDN'T MAKE SMOOTH STEERING CORRECTIONS, ONLY COURSE ONES. AFTER CAR WAS ALLOWED TO COOL OVERNIGHT, PROBLEM WENT AWAY. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143297 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143324 · 2005-11-21 (November 21, 2005)
IN HOT WEATHER OR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN LEFT IN SUN FOR A FEW HOURS STEERING BECOMES STICKY AND JERKY. MUST APPLY EXCESSIVE FORCE AND CONSTANTLY OVERCORRECT TO KEEP CAR ON COURSE. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO ENTER AND EXIT SLIGHT TURNS, CHANGE LANES, ETC. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143324 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158071 · 2006-05-23 (May 23, 2006)
WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 80F THE STEERING STICKS AND REQUIRES MORE INPUT TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE. ONCE IT OVERCOMES THE RESISTANCE IT OVER CORRECTS SO THAT YOU HAVE A ZIG ZAG DRIVING PATTERN. I WAS TOLD BMW IS AWARE BUT THERE IS NO FIX ALTHOUGH ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS STATE MANY HAVE HAD THEIR CARS REPAIRED. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158071 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162128 · 2006-07-11 (July 11, 2006)
WHEN THE CAR SITS IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME THE STEERING BECOMES DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITH NO CENTER BALANCE. THE ONLY WAY TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE IS TO PARK THE CAR IN THE SHADE AND WAIT FOR THE STEERING TO RETURN TO NORMAL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162128 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V182000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2004-04-12 (April 12, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, A VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL PUMP COULD OCCUR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
Consequence: IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRICAL LINE POWERING THE FUEL PUMP IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN OCCURRENCE OF VAPOR LOCK. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
NHTSA campaign record ↗