2004 BMW Z4 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 BMW Z4 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 13,769 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 443 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 04V182000 2004-04-12 13,769 affected
Defect

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.

Complaints by component

STEERING
362
1crashes1fires
AIR BAGS
17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14
1fires
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
9
STEERING:COLUMN
7
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
6
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3
VISIBILITY/WIPER
3
POWER TRAIN
2
SERVICE BRAKES
2
Total complaints443

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Twice this month, while operating the vehicle, the power steering completely stopped functioning, causing the vehicle to be almost uncontrollable. No prior warning light. When I purchased the vehicle in 2018, the same problem occurred and the dealer replaced the steering column under warranty. In…”

STEERING · reported 2025-06-09

“Power steering wheel went out of power during a trip at about 70mph. Yellow light at the dashboard went on then so, car became imposible to drive or so.”

STEERING · reported 2025-05-31

“Power steering stopped working.”

STEERING · reported 2025-04-05

“The electric steering gets sticky when very often. It feels locked in its position and requires extra force to unstick, once its past the sticking point it over corrects and causes the vehicle to swerve. This failure seems to be quite common and is well known. It seems to be a manufacturing defect…”

STEERING · reported 2025-01-20

“When driving the steering is loose or sticky. The problem gets worse when the weather is warm. Sometimes it’s hard to keep the car driving in a straight path. This is scary and dangerous. His occurs whenever the car is driven. Other z4 drivers are having the same problem.”

STEERING · reported 2024-06-04

“The steering is sticky, like the steering system is locking up. It isn't smooth but instead very jerky, and requires serious effort to manage. It is becoming dangerous and is very unsafe. I have seen a lot of complaints on the internet and can not believe this isn't a recall item!”

STEERING · reported 2023-04-14

“Component or system failed: steering column. It is available for inspection. Safety or the safety of others put at risk: when driving the steering column will lock or stick into place until it is forced back into a normal driving position. This consistently occurs when driving on a corner or…”

STEERING · reported 2022-10-31

“Steering is "sticky" with a feel of detents in the steering instead of expected smooth engagement. At highway speeds this is concerning and feels unsafe. Difficult or impossible to steer smoothly.”

STEERING · reported 2022-08-05

Defect investigations

Investigation EA08001 Opened 2008-01-04 · closed 2008-12-31

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

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…

Investigation EA08001 Opened 2008-01-04 · closed 2008-12-31

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

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…

Investigation EA08001 Opened 2008-01-04 · closed 2008-12-31

BMW AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATION

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…

Investigation PE10020 Opened 2010-06-28 · closed 2011-06-28

Sticky Steering

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…

Investigation PE10020 Opened 2010-06-28 · closed 2011-06-28

Sticky Steering

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…

Investigation PE10020 Opened 2010-06-28 · closed 2011-06-28

Sticky Steering

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…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 BMW Z4 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.