2006 BMW Z4 problems
NHTSA has received 107 complaints about the 2006 BMW Z4, and 51% of them involve steering. Next are air bags (13%) and electrical system (12%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 107 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Steering 51% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 1 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 1 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 55,000 miles 91 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 19 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 26 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 30 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 91 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 55,000 miles. For steering specifically, the median reported mileage is about 52,000 miles (48 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 1 complaint mentions a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 1 injury reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2006 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 8 model years of the BMW Z4 with enough data (24 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.