2005 BMW Z4 steering problems
175 complaints about steering have been filed for the 2005 BMW Z4, which is 85% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 175 85% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 47,000 miles 161 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When steering problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 34 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 33 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 40 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 29 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 1 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 1 |
What the data shows
Of the 161 steering complaints that report mileage, the median is about 47,000 miles, and 66% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 1 crash, 1 injury.
What owners wrote
At highway speeds, my 2005 BMW exhibits stiff and erratic steering as follows: steering wheel is very tight, and does not turn unless inordinate pressure is applied. This makes steering very strange and quick movement is difficult to enact. A recent occurrence was july 24, 2011 on highway 101 in central california. A car pulled out in front of me unexpectedly, and at first the steering would not turn. This delayed my action to steer and forced a more violent movement from me.
Steering jerks to the point of being unsafe. At highway speeds the car will drift. When you correct, it jerks either right or left. A few times almost veering into the next lane of traffic. Brought into BMW of ft. Myers. They said I needed a new steering column. $3,487.60 plus $153.44 to calibrate, plus tax. Very, very disapointed in BMW not having a recall on this. It is a serious safety issue aside from speding a lot of money to purchase a "quality????" car.