KnownCarProblems2004 BMW Z4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 411 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 BMW Z4, most often about the steering (92% of complaints, typically around 46,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Z4 model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2004 BMW Z4 problems
Steering
378 complaints · 92%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system, column, steering wheel/handle bar, rack and pinion.
BMW Z4 2004 sticking steering. The steering gets knotchy, sticky, or locking when trying to make micro-steering adjustments while driving at highway speeds(60-70). The problem exists when the ambient outside temp is greater than 60 degrees. The steering locks and has to be budged to change steering direciton. It gets…
While traveling on the highway at a normal rate of speed, the steering wheel sticks, making it difficult to maintain control in a corner. This has been an ongoing problem for the past two years. The last incident nearly resulted in a crash with another vehicle. I nearly struck the guardrail while the steering would…
Air bags
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 57,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, sensor.
After cranking my 2004 Z4 in the drive way, my wife in the car with me at the time, the drivers side airbag went off for no reason. Had just put the car into reverse to back it up and then "pow" sounded like a gunshot going off. I looked over to see my wife panicked as she was stunned that this went off right in her…
The contact owns a 2004 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the ultimate autowerks dealer (located at 2538 savannah hwy, charleston, south carolina 29414; [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the air bag seat mat sensor/ passenger seat detection…
Electrical
14 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles.
I left my BMW in the sun all day and now my locks wont work. Many resources link this problem to the gm5 which controls the lighting and locks. Bad locks can be a safety and security issue on parked cars but also for moving cars as children may open vehicle doors in traffic.
I had this car built and I am the only owner and driver. I have had a personal mechanic take meticulous care of it over the years and the car is stored for approximately 6 months/year because I do not drive it in the snow, and frankly, hardly drive it even when raining. However, it never fails that each year some…
Lights
6 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
I left my BMW in the sun all day and now my locks wont work. Many resources link this problem to the gm5 which controls the lighting and locks. Bad locks can be a safety and security issue on parked cars but also for moving cars as children may open vehicle doors in traffic.
I had this car built and I am the only owner and driver. I have had a personal mechanic take meticulous care of it over the years and the car is stored for approximately 6 months/year because I do not drive it in the snow, and frankly, hardly drive it even when raining. However, it never fails that each year some…
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 1%Driver side mirror fell off and hanged by electrical wires at 65 miles per hour on the freeway. Side mirror wobbles while driving and make judgment difficult. Poor workmanship, design or assembly is probably the cause.
Gm5 module fail. When the gm5 module fauls windshield wipers won't work (this could be a big problem if it rains!), interior lights won't work, windows won't go up or down, no alarm functions and of course no automatic door lock control (doors can manually be locked and unlocked as long as the double lock is open.)
Transmission
3 complaints · 1%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
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…
I own a suspected Z4 with a NHTSA reported "sticky steering" issue I can tell you a little more about it. The problem has nothing to do with the boost. When the car gets hot (summer hot) the steering gets notchy in that when you put the car in a slight turn, like changing lanes or going around a slight corner, the…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 1%Parts named most often: body.
In the fall, 2010, my BMW 2004 Z4 stopped automatically opening and closing the convertible top. According to the mechanic there is a known problem with the motor associated with it. The main motor gets water trapped inside the plastic housing whcih causes the motor to fail. I need to replace the motor, as many other…
My BMW 2004 Z4 door on the passenger side would not open. The inside and outside handles would not open the door. Shortly afterwards the drivers side door handle began to fail intermittently. I was locked inside my vehicle without the ability to get out.
Brakes
3 complaints · 1%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…
I previously filed a report about the electronic steering wheel column, poor steering, sticking prior to having it fixed on this date. I had not found the paperwork for it until after I submitted the report. The tracking # 11300634.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 BMW Z4 recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: If stalling were to occur, the driver would be unable to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Sticky steering
Summary
Odi has evaluated the sticky steering condition, which included reviews of complaints and warranty claims, interviews and surveys of owners of complaint vehicles, road tests of complaint vehicles, and a review of bmw's engineering and test data.odi found the sticky steering condition does not result in a significant steering effort, thus the impact on the driver's ability to control the vehicle does not appear to be significant.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-rel
Bmw airbag light illumination
Summary
Bmw is conducting a safety recall campaign on approximately 200,000 my04 through my06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05 to correct the front passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat. The specific vehicles included in the recall aremy04- 06/ 5-series with standard and sport seats, my04-06/ x3-series and my06/ 3-series with sport seats. In addition, bmw will extend the warranty coverage of the passenger seat air bag occupant detection mat to 10-year/unlimited mileage on approximately 120,000 remaining my04-06 subject vehicles built through 11/30/05. The specific vehicles included in the extended warranty are my 06/ 6 series, my 06/ 3-series with standard seats, my04-05/ z4, my04-06/
Questions about the 2004 BMW Z4
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW Z4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: steering (378 complaints, typically around 46,000 miles); air bags (18 complaints, typically around 57,500 miles); electrical (14 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 BMW Z4 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 12, 2004 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the BMW Z4?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Z4 model year since 2000, with 411 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.