2003 BMW Z4 recalls
Air Bags · NHTSA 04V247000 · May 24, 2004
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, incompatible electronic air bag system processors may have been installed.
Risk: In the event of a crash, air bag deployment may not occur, increasing the risk of injuries to the driver and/or front passenger.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the air bag system processors. The recall began june 11, 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
51 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Problem: 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.
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.
13,769 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Tires · NHTSA 03V214000 · Jun 9, 2003
Problem: On certain vehicles equipped with 18" tires, it is possible that the tire has been damaged during the mounting process to the rim.
Risk: Consequently, a loss of tire pressure, or a tire failure, could occur. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will unseat the tire from its rim, inspect for any damage, and then reseat the tire to its rim. If inspection reveals that a front tire has incurred damage during the mounting process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began july 14, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
180 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Seat Belts · NHTSA 03V032000 · Feb 4, 2003
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the connection of the safety belt buckle to the steel rope of the tensioner does not meet BMW specifications. In severe frontal crashes, this connection can detach.
Risk: If the connection detaches, the protection provided by the safety belt is likely to be impaired, and serious injuries to the driver and/or front passenger could occur that might otherwise be mitigated.
Fix: Dealers will inspect both front safety belt tensioner and buckle assemblies, and if necessary, replace these parts. Owner notification began march 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable…
2,635 units potentially affected · Full recall details →
Latest owner complaints
Steering · Jun 14, 2026 · NC
This vehicle has a "sticky steering" issue in warm or hot weather, the steering sticks and requires a lot of effort to get the wheel to turn. If I am doing any speeds over 40 mph and keep adjusting the steering, I have almost wrecked the car on more than one occasion. The problem is the electric steering on the early year models of the BMW Z4. Mine is a 2003, the first year…
Steering · Aug 21, 2025 · FL
Steering is binding up, very hard to steer and control. Car starts out running fine after parked in hot weather and restarted it is almost uncontrollable. Looking for corrective action. Only 39,920 miles on car. Would like to use it or sell it, can do neither in current condition. Steering column needed or components
Steering · Sep 15, 2024 · MN
When outside temp is 80degrees or higher it becomes difficult to maintain the vehicle in the correct driving lane due to a stickyness in the steering wheel. I will not allow anyone to drive the vehicle when the temp is over 80 degrees ... sucks to have a convertable that you can't drive in warm weather!
Steering · Sep 1, 2024 · MA
My girlfriend, [XXX] , purchased a used 2003 BMW z4 2.5i. It is pristine with 47K original miles. Always maintained, garaged and never driven in foul weather. I, [XXX] , drove it home for her and noticed the steering to be "sticky". This showed on the highway traveling at 65 MPH. It was very unsettling to feel the car want to track in a direction that i could not control. I…
Unknown or Other · May 2, 2024 · FL
Dealer sold me a car and the next day the car no turn on engine and have a full leaking under
Structure · May 23, 2023 · 64,000 miles · NY
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the coolant warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that she noticed smoke underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed a leak on the ground located near the rear passengerâs side tire. Additionally, the contact then stated that while operating the…
Engine and Engine Cooling · May 23, 2023 · 64,000 miles · NY
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the coolant warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that she noticed smoke underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed a leak on the ground located near the rear passengerâs side tire. Additionally, the contact then stated that while operating the…
Steering · May 13, 2023 · MD
Upon starting the car, power steering does not work making car unmanueverable.
Steering · Apr 18, 2023 · NC
The steering in this BMW Z4 gets "sticky" in warm or hot weather. It drives fine in cold weather. The steering has to be constantly corrected as it pulls to the left. It will not track in a straight line and needs constant corrections from side to side to compensate for the problem. If you do not pay close attention and correct the steering input, you will go off the road. On…
Electrical System · Apr 11, 2023 · VA
Sticky steering steering wheel hard to turn and stops intermittently when outside temperature is hot
Steering · Apr 11, 2023 · VA
Sticky steering steering wheel hard to turn and stops intermittently when outside temperature is hot
Unknown or Other · Dec 9, 2022 · TX
DRIVERS DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. Couldn't get out of the car. Had to get assistance to get out of car.. Had car towed to BMW dealership.. The spent hours trying to get door open. They had to go down through the convertible top to remove the drivers seat in order to get panel off to remove parts to get door to open. This is major safety hazard which should be addressed. See what…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2003 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2003 BMW Z4, the most recent one (04V247000) for air bags. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 BMW Z4?
Based on 414 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are steering (344), air bags (32), electrical system (14).
Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2003 BMW Z4?
Owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2003 BMW Z4?
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation that include this vehicle, most recently PE10020: Sticky Steering.