Bmw Z4 2003 problems

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The BMW Z models are a line of roadsters manufactured by German automaker BMW. The Z stands for Zukunft (German for future), and has been produced in four different series with six generations consisting of roadster, coupé, sports car, and concept variants.

The introduction of the M Coupé and M Roadster in the Z3 line marked the first of the Z series to have a high-performance BMW M variant. The first generation Z4 also continued to offer M Coupé and M Roadster variants. The current Z4 (G29) uses BMW's (B58B30) inline-six, its platform is the basis for the current Toyota Supra.

BMW Z1 (E30 based; 1989–1991)

The BMW Z1 is a two-seat roadster developed by BMW and was produced from March 1989 to June 1991. It was based on the E30 3 Series platform. The Z1 featured unusual doors which, instead of opening outward or upward, dropped into the door sills and had body panels which could easily be removed and replaced; the car could be driven with all its body panels removed for weight reduction and increased performance. Only 8,000 examples of the Z1 were produced.

Bmw Z4 2003

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Common Bmw Z4 2003 problems

The BMW Z4, produced since 2002, is a high-performance two-seater sports car known for its speed, handling, and luxury features. However, like any vehicle, it has some common issues that owners have reported, particularly in the 2003 to 2005 models.

One of the most common problems is coolant leaks, which can lead to engine overheating. These leaks are often caused by hairline cracks in the expansion tank, which is part of the coolant overflow system. If not addressed promptly, this issue can cause significant damage to the engine.

Another frequent problem is engine misfiring, which can trigger the car to enter limp mode to protect the catalytic converter from potential damage. This issue is often caused by problems with the engine's timing system, which can get out of sync and prompt the car to enter limp home mode as a precautionary measure.

Drivers of certain BMW Z4 models, particularly those from 2003 to 2008, have reported issues with the steering, including clunking steering wheels, sticky steering, and steering drifts. These issues can affect the car's handling and make it more difficult to drive, particularly at low speeds.

In addition to these issues, the BMW Z4 can also be prone to oil leaks, particularly in the valve cover gasket and oil pan. These leaks can be caused by a variety of factors, including normal wear and tear, and can lead to a decrease in engine performance and fuel efficiency.

While these issues can be concerning, it's important to note that the BMW Z4 is generally considered to be a reliable vehicle, particularly when compared to other luxury sports cars in its class. However, like any vehicle, regular maintenance and inspections are essential to ensure that the car remains in good working order and to catch any potential issues before they become major problems.

Bmw Z4 2003 engine

Does the BMW Z4 have problems?

Common problems of the BMW Z4 include a clunking steering wheel, coolant loss, and a defective roof mechanism.

Are 2003 z4s reliable?

The average rating is a 4 out of 5 stars. The 2003 BMW Z4 Reliability Rating is 2.5 out of 5. It ranks 30th out of 32 for all car brands.

Is BMW Z4 engine reliable?

According to carparts.com, the BMW Z4 has an above-average reliability ranking despite high repair costs. There are some issues with the dependability of the BMW Z4, but it performs well overall for a sports car. You can't go wrong with this vehicle in your driveway.

Is BMW Z4 cheap to maintain?

A BMW Z4 will cost about $13,999 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This is more than the industry average for luxury convertible models by $1,678. There is also a 41.76% chance that a Z4 will require a major repair during that time.

Does the BMW Z4 have problems?

Drivers of certain BMW models have reported coolant leaks, especially in the 2003 to 2005 Z4 models. These leaks can lead to engine overheating, possibly damaging engine components and even causing engine failure. Signs of a coolant leak may include sudden temperature spikes and engine overheating.

Are 2003 z4s reliable?

The average rating is a 4 out of 5 stars. The 2003 BMW Z4 Reliability Rating is 2.5 out of 5. It ranks 30th out of 32 for all car brands.

Is BMW Z4 high maintenance?

With an annual maintenance and repair cost of about $2,100, the BMW Z4 is a rather annoying piece of machinery to contend with on a daily basis. With steering and engine problems aplenty, the Z4 then becomes a sports car that will end up stealing your time on the road, as well as your peace of mind.

Is BMW Z4 cheap to maintain?

A BMW Z4 will cost about $13,999 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This is more than the industry average for luxury convertible models by $1,678. There is also a 41.76% chance that a Z4 will require a major repair during that time.

Bmw Z4 2003 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw Z4 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Steering problems
  • Air bags problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Structure problems

The graph below shows statistics for all Bmw Z4 2003 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints Bmw Z4 2003

The NHTSA has received 412 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Bmw Z4 2003. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Bmw Z4 2003 vehicles.

2024-09-15

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-15
  • VIN: 4USBT53493L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: 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!
2024-09-01

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-09-22
  • VIN: 4USBT33493L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: 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 used "more force" to pull the steering wheel to get tracking correctly and stay in my travel lane. Lucking I did not overcorrect and lose control or cause and accident. Once it happened it continued to happen the balance of the drive on the highway and back roads. I've owned and driven many different makes and models of vehicles from Dodge, Renault, Toyota, GMC, Chrysler, Volvo, Geo, etc. and never has "steering" been an issue. Once we got home I looked up "sticky steering" issue for the 2003 Z4 and this is a known issue. Driving this BMW was unsettling and unsafe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-05-02

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-28
  • VIN: 4USBT33473L
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: Dealer sold me a car and the next day the car no turn on engine and have a full leaking under
2023-05-23

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-04-23
  • VIN: 4USBT33463L
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE
  • Summary: 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 passenger’s side tire. Additionally, the contact then stated that while operating the convertible drop top, she heard an abnormal sound in the motor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
2023-05-13

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-05-11
  • VIN: 4USBT53483L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: Upon starting the car, power steering does not work making car unmanueverable.
2023-04-18

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-04-01
  • VIN: 4USBT53453L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: 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 a warmer day after driving for a while I suddenly experienced a unexpected binding of the steering and almost ended up steering into oncoming traffic. This car is not safe to drive. The 2003 model has electric power steering. There are no codes or warning lights. I took the car to the local mechanic and he was easily able to reproduce the issue when he drove it less than 1 mile. This issue not only puts me at risk but others because of the constant correction of the steering to keep a straight. If you drive this car in warm or hot weather distances more than 20 miles then shut if off, then attempt to restart there is no steering at all. Please view the 2 websites listed below from BMW owners. https://automotivesblog.com/e85-e86-bmw-z4-steering-problems-how-to-fix/ https://www.carproblemzoo.com/bmw/z4/steering-problems.php One website had almost 700 complaints with the steering. I dare not let my kids behind the wheel of this car. It is not a question of "if" someone gets killed, but "when." BMW North America would only say there are no recalls. When I asked if there have been issues reported, they declined to give me that information. Please help. It would be interesting to know how many accidents were listed with the steering being the cause of the MVA. I would gladly allow someone with the NHTSA drive this car in warm weather. Then you would see how dangerous the steering is in these vehicles.
2023-04-11

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2023-04-08
  • VIN: 4USBT33493L
  • Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Sticky steering steering wheel hard to turn and stops intermittently when outside temperature is hot
2022-12-09

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-07-13
  • VIN: 4USBT33413L
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: 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 was repaired below.. MECH MECHANICAL LABOR 22642 COXW 1320.00 1320.00 1 51-21-7-202-143 SYSTEM LATCH, LEFT:512011 241.92 241.92 241.92 1 51-21-7-197-313 CARRIER, OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE:H51210 202.32 202.32 202.32 12 51-41-8-224-768 CLIP WITH WASHER, NATUR:889520 1.08 1.08 12.96 1 51-48-7-016-655 SOUND INSULATION, DOOR LEFT:H51480 57.68 57.68 57.68 36204 LEFT DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR & OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CARRIER FAULTY. 5.50 VERIFY COMPLAINT,FOUND DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR FAULTY & OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CARRIER FAULTY,TIME SPENT TO UNLOCK DOOR, R&R DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR & OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE CARRIER.FUNCTION Total cost of repair - 1877.36
2022-09-26

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-06-21
  • VIN: 4USBT33423L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: STICKY STEERING AFTER CAR WARMS UP. STEERS LIKE A BOAT. DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WINDING ROAD.
2022-06-16

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2017-07-01
  • VIN: 4USBT534X3L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in hot weather, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and would also jerk the vehicle into the next lane. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery to be replaced. The dealer replaced the battery however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.
2022-05-21

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-07-10
  • VIN: 4USBT53413L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: During very warm days in the summer the steering wheel tends to stick during turns. It requires extra force to continue to turn the wheel which becomes problematic during a tight turn or on highway on-ramps.
2022-04-08

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2022-04-08
  • VIN: 4USBT53473L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: Car has 15,000 miles and always stored in climate controlled garage. Drove it today and within 1/2 mile the electronic power steering failed making it very, very hard to steer. Shut vehicle off and restart and the problem goes away but only for a minute or two and then returns.
2022-03-14

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2008-04-04
  • VIN: 4USBT53453L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: I purchased this BMW Z4 from a private seller on Thursday (3/10/22) located in Myrtle Beach, SC. On the way home (187 mile trip), about ¾ of the trip, I was driving about 55 mph on 701 North and the steering felt as if it was sticking to the point where moving the wheel took a effort to unstick it which put me into oncoming traffic in the other lane. I almost was involved in a head-on collision! The vehicle has only 39K miles on it. The previous owner had this issue in April of 2008 and took it to a BMW dealer who advised them that the repair would cost $2,950.00. The previous owner declined the repair because they couldn’t afford it and the dealer told them that BMW will probably issue a recall AS HUNDRES OF Z4 OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. The vehicle also drifts to the left and attempts by the previous owner to have the vehicle aligned to correct this have failed. The vehicle had only 13K on the odometer at the time BMW advised of the faulty steering column.
2021-05-25

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-05-25
  • VIN: 4USBT33483L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: On hot days the steering becomes sticky like there is a catch. It will also pull to one side or the other making it very dangerous to drive especially on the interstate.
2021-04-11

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-04-10
  • VIN: 4USBT534X3L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: I JUST PURCHASED Z4. DID NOT NOTICE ANY PROBLEM DURING TEST RIDE. ON MY WAY HOME DURING PURCHASE STEERING BECAME AN ISSUE. THE CAR WOULD BE DRIVING FINE THEN WHAT I WOULD A DEAD SPOT WOULD APPEAR. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SUDDENLY SHIFT LEFT OR RIGHT WHAT SEEMS A FEW INCHES. THIS CAUSES DRIVER (ME) TO COMPENSATE TO AVOID GOING IN DITCH OR CROSSING A LANE OR GETTING INTO AN ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES ON MY 70-MILE TRIP HOME.
2021-04-07

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2021-04-07
  • VIN: 4USBT33433L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: THE FIRST ISSUE IS THAT THE POWER STEERING WILL GO OUT DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE MAKING THE WHEEL HARD TO TURN. ADDITIONALLY, AT RIGHT ABOUT THE STRAIGHT POSITION OF THE STEERING WHEEL THE STEERING WILL STICK (CONSISTENTLY FIGHTING THE WHEEL TO STAY CENTERED). STAYING STRAIGHT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE AS YOU CONSTANTLY BATTLE THE RESISTANCE BACK AND FORTH TO KEEP THE VEHICLE MOVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IT IS QUITE DISCONCERTING AND HAS ALMOST RESULTED IN ME SIDE SWIPING ONCOMING VEHICLES ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT BMW NEVER ADDRESSED. RESEARCHING THE MATTER I'VE LEARNED THAT A STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT AND LABOR WOULD BE IN THE $3000-4500 RANGE AND THE PROBLEM WOULD LIKELY REOCCUR IN THE FUTURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. WORSE, AS MOST PEOPLE IN MY POSITION ARE UNABLE TO PERFORM A REPAIR AT THAT COST, I'VE FOUND NUMEROUS PEOPLE MANIPULATING THEIR STEERING COLUMNS WITH MIXED SUCCESS ULTIMATELY CREATING AN EVEN MORE DANGEROUS POTENTIAL SITUATION. THESE METHODS INCLUDE DRILLING INTO THE STEERING COLUMN AND ADDING GREASES AND LUBRICANTS THAT WERE NOT DESIGNED TO WORK WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM, WITH NO SHORTAGE OF RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS ESTABLISHING THIS ISN'T A "IF IT HAPPENS", BUT WHEN IT HAPPENS. DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM, I DARE YOU, AND TELL ME IT IS NOT A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. DISAPPOINTED. I'D APPRECIATE IF BMW WOULD REACH OUT TO ME AND REMEDY THE ISSUE. THERE IS NO REASON THAT A STEERING WHEEL, ONE OF THE MOST BASIC AND NECESSARY SYSTEMS ON A CAR TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERMITTED TO BE DEFECTIVE WITH NO REMEDY AT THE COST OF THE MANUFACTURER. THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY BY BMW AND "DO IT YOURSELF" REMEDIES WILL UNDOUBTEDLY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY. BMW SHOULD PROVIDE A FIX FOR THOSE Z4S AFFECTED STILL ON THE ROAD BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.
2020-06-21

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2020-06-20
  • VIN: 4USBT53413L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: I HAVE A 2003 Z4 WITH 25K MILES. THE STEERING WHEEL STICKS WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STEER. SPOKE WITH A BMW MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE COST IS $3000. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL??
2020-04-13

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-08-30
  • VIN: 4USBT33433L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION MY Z4 IS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING 'STICKY WHEEL' EVIDENTLY THIS WAS FOUND IN MANY Z4'S IN OR AROUND MY YEAR OF CAR. I WAS SURE THAT I WOULD SEE A RECALL FOR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE BUT NEVER RECEIVED ONE. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE ISSUE FOR MANY YEARS, BUT THE BMW DEALERSHIPS SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. WHEN I LEARNED OF THIS RASH OF 'STICKY WHEEL' ISSUES WITH MANY Z4'S ... I QUESTIONED BMW. THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE (BASED ON MY VIN #) WAS NOT RECALLED WHILE OTHERS WERE. I ONLY USE THE CAR AROUND TOWN AT SLOW SPEEDS AS I AM IN FEAR TO USE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT ALL TIMES WHEN STEERING BUT IS WORST AS SPEED INCREASES. I FEAR THAT I COULD EVEN LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AT SOME POINT.
2020-02-21

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-07-02
  • VIN: 4USBT33463L
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE TO TAYLOR BMW 4180 WASHINGTON RD, EVANS, GA 30809 WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V247000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
2019-12-21

STEERING,AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2006-04-10
  • VIN: 4USBT33463L
  • Components: STEERING,AIR BAGS
  • Summary: FROM DAY ONE I HAD AIRBAG PROBLEM FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. AIR BAG NEVER WORKED. BMW HAD RECALL AND EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS, BUT THEY DON'T ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY STEERING COLUMN HAS PROBLEMS TOO
2019-10-13

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-10-08
  • VIN: 4USBT53453L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: WHEN THE CAR WARMS UP OR HAS BEEN IN THE WARM SUN THE STEERING STICKS. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS ISSUE WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WILL POP OVER RATHER THAN SMOOTHLY TURNING. THE PROBLEM CREATES AND OVERSTEERING THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPREED AND IN TRAVERSING CORNERS.
2019-09-19

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-09-01
  • VIN: 4USBT53453L
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
  • Summary: CONVERTIBLE TOP MOTOR IS PLACED IN A BAD LOCATION BY THE MANUFACTURER CAUSING ROOF PUMP MOTOR TO CEASE AND STOP WORKING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE TOP SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE PUT UP DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER. MY CONVERTIBLE ROOF WON'T GO UP OR DOWN RIGHT NOW. HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND BMW WANTS TO CHARGE OVER $2,000 TO PERFORM REPAIRS GAUGING CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR FAULTY DESIGNS.
2019-08-15

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-08-15
  • VIN: 4USBT33493L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE SUN FOR 4 HOURS, THE CAR WAS HARD TO STEER. THE STEERING WAS STICKY AND MADE IT FEEL UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WE RESEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR/MODEL BMW Z4.
2019-08-10

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-08-03
  • VIN: 4USBT33413L
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: TAKATA RECALL. BMW SENT RECALL NOTICE FOR AIRBAG BEFORE EXPIRATION DATE. I CALLED BMW AND THEY GAVE ME A EXPIRATION DATE TO TAKE CAR TO DEALERSHIP TO HAVE REPAIRED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A NEW SEWELL BMW DEALERSHIP IN GRAPEVINE TX, USA BEFORE THE EXPIRE DATE GIVEN BY BMW. THEY ASKED IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED. I REPLIED IT WAS RESET YEARS BEFORE AND HASN'T BEEN DISPLAYED SINCE. SEWELL SAID THEY WOULD NOT LOOK AT REPLACING AIRBAG WITHOUT PAYING FOR DIAGNOSTIC AND AIRBAG UP FRONT. I KNOW IT HASN'T BEEN REPLACED, BUT HAD TO DECLINE FOR UPFRONT COSTS WITH UNKNOWN REIMBURSEMENT. SEWELL PULLED UP THE VIN DETAILS ON MY CAR. NO AIRBAG REPLACEMENT. I'M SURE THE REPLACEMENT DATE HAS EXPIRED BY A YEAR. . . BUT I TRIED. JUST GOT A BIG 'NOT INTERESTED' BY THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN GRAPEVINE, TX. (P.S. WAS REMINDED BY THE MORGAN FREEMAN TAKATA AIRBAG COMMERCIAL ON A&E TV CHANNEL AIRING 8/9/19)
2019-07-19

STEERING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2019-06-29
  • VIN: 4USBT33413L
  • Components: STEERING
  • Summary: I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2003 Z4 FROM A DEALER ABOUT A MONTH AGO. WHEN I TEST DROVE IT, IT DROVE FINE AND THE STEERING WAS SMOOTH AS YOU'D EXPECT. IT WAS A LITTLE CHILLY AS IT WAS STILL IN THE MORNING. BY AFTERNOON, DURING MY 6HR DRIVE HOME FROM THE DEALER, IT GOT HOT OUTSIDE, AS IT IS SUMMER AND ALL, AND THE STEERING STARTED TO BECOME VERY JERKY, CAUSING ME TO SWERVE BACK AND FORTH IN THE LANES. IT HAS NOW BECOME A DANGEROUS CAR. THE INITIAL DEALER FROM WHOM I PURCHASED FROM PLAYED DUMB AND SAID THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS. BEFORE BUYING THIS CAR, WHICH HAS 57K MI ON IT, I DID MY RESEARCH. SEEMED LIKE NO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT. NOT UNTIL AFTER I PURCHASED IT, AND SPECIFICALLY SEARCHED 'STEERING PROBLEMS' DID I DISCOVER THIS HAD BEEN A BMW DESIGN FLAW FROM THE BEGINNING AND COUNTLESS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ALMOST FROM THE GET GO. NO RECALL HAD BEEN MADE, AND NOW I'M STUCK WITH A DANGEROUS CAR. GOING FORWARD, I HAVE NOTIFIED FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THAT SHOULD I GET KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, START LITIGATION AGAINST BMW, AS THIS IS NOW DOCUMENTED BY MYSELF, AS WELL AS COUNTLESS OTHERS.

Bmw Z4 2003 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the Bmw Z4 2003.

2004-05-24
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: AIR BAGS
  • Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, INCOMPATIBLE ELECTRONIC AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
  • Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY NOT OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER.
  • Remedy: 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.
2004-04-12
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
  • 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.
  • 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.
2003-06-09
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TIRE HAS BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS TO THE RIM.
  • Consequence: 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.
  • Remedy: 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.
2003-02-04
  • Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
  • Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: 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.
  • Remedy: 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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Negative Bmw Z4 2003 car reviews

  1. Casper Hodkiewicz 2024-04-14

    The Z4 is built in the USA, but the car built in Germany is of better quality.

  2. Derrick Collins 2024-03-15

    Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my car that I bought in January. It's been a fun ride, but I've noticed that it only gets 20mpg on premium fuel. In the past 4 months, I've had to replace the valve cover, oil pan, and oil filter gaskets, but my mechanic assured me that this is nothing out of the ordinary. Unfortunately, I've also been experiencing some issues with the driver's airbag light, 5 other sensors, the side mirror control, drink holders, and the radio and single disk CD player. I reached out to BMW about these non-mileage issues, but I haven't received a response yet. I'm used to Nissan

  3. Quincy Sporer 2024-01-04

    If you are considering purchasing these cars, it is important to note that repairs can be quite costly. Despite having an extended warranty, we have unfortunately experienced issues with water leakage. Although BMW covered the labor costs, we still had to pay $800 for parts. Recently, we also encountered an issue with the wipers, which will cost $1100 to fix and unfortunately is not covered under the warranty. While the car looks great and handles well, it seems to have some quality issues. Based on our experience, we have decided not to purchase a BMW again.

Positive Bmw Z4 2003 car reviews

  1. Laurel Keeling 2024-11-23

    In short, I was so impressed with the styling and performance of the Z4 3.0i that I ordered it over the phone without even taking it for a test drive. It's an amazing car that turns heads wherever I go. To really experience its power, switch to Sport Mode and hit the throttle. If DSC interferes, simply turn it off. The stereo is also fantastic, and the exhaust note makes the engine sound bigger than it actually is. The automatic top is a real crowd-pleaser. The handling is solid and stable, and the ride is firm due to the sport suspension and run-flat tires. I highly recommend taking one for a test drive or, like me, just going ahead and buying one!

  2. Berry Mitchell 2024-11-22

    It's only been a week since I got the car, so it might be too soon to give a proper rating. However, I can say that the car feels brand new with only 23k miles (which I verified). The sound and punch are both great, and the ride is not as harsh as I initially feared. It's definitely not a '55 Buick, but it's also not too tight. In fact, it's much more comfortable than the Miata I tried before, which didn't fit me well. When I had it inspected, the guy at the station even thanked me for bringing such a great car. It's been six months now, and the car has been running perfectly. Driving it on the back roads of Cape Cod is an absolute joy. It has just enough power, and even though I might prefer the 3.0, it never feels like it's going to get away from me or break loose. Sport mode adds a little excitement. I haven't had to do any repairs or maintenance after the initial inspection and oil change.

  3. Damian Paucek 2024-11-12

    It's great to hear that you're enjoying your car! It sounds like it handles well and is fun to drive both short and long distances. It's also wonderful that you were able to get all the options you wanted. Thanks for sharing your positive experience!

  4. Jerel Heaney 2024-11-05

    This is the best car I have ever owned. After 40,000 miles the only repair required (at no cost) was to reset the passenger window. It's been great fun to drive and extremely reliable. I'm thinking about buying a new car, but I hate to give this one up!

  5. Gregg Lynch 2024-10-24

    The fun factor is definitely a 10+. The design is very unique and will receive both praise and criticism. Personally, I love it! The performance is very good, although I would like to see a little more power. The handling is excellent, but the ride can be a bit bumpy, especially with the run-flat tires. The interior is roomy and comfortable, even for someone like me who is 6'2'' and doesn't have the seat all the way back. The interior design is simple, yet stylish, with the aluminum dash adding a nice touch. Although, I would appreciate an oil pressure and altimeter gauge.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about Bmw Z4 2003 problems:

BMW Z4 Common problems. E85/86 - Z4-forum.com
BMW Z4 Common problems. E85/86 - Z4-forum.com
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=81866

The problem is mostly at the rear, best seen with car on a ramp. 2) Broken rear springs, these break at the pigtail and again, not easy to see ...

reliability in 2003 z4 - considering used purchase - ZPOST
reliability in 2003 z4 - considering used purchase - ZPOST
https://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=490577

Cooling system components. Known issues. Just fix it. Convertible top Electro/Hydraulic pump. Infrequent but higher than normal offenders: DISA Valve (can be ...

2003-2004 Z4 3.0 6 speed manual - Common Issues/Problems?
2003-2004 Z4 3.0 6 speed manual - Common Issues/Problems?
https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?2057553-2003-2004-Z4-3-0-6-speed-manual-Common-Issues-Problems

Nov 21, 2013 ... So I currently have a 2002 BMW 330i fully loaded (Sports + Premium Packages) but looking to upgrade to a 2003-2004 Zed 4 3.0 with a 6 speed ...

2003 BMW Z4 Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
2003 BMW Z4 Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
https://repairpal.com/2003-bmw-z4/problems

Top 2003 BMW Z4 Problems · Oil Leaks From Engine Area · Front Control Arm Bracket Bushings May Fail · Coolant Loss Due to Leak from Expansion Tank · Check ...

I bought a 2003 Z4 2.5i 5-Speed with some issues | BimmerFest ...
I bought a 2003 Z4 2.5i 5-Speed with some issues | BimmerFest ...
https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/i-bought-a-2003-z4-2-5i-5-speed-with-some-issues.849921/

Jun 17, 2015 ... I bought it for $6800 with 121k miles this weekend and it has some issues... 2003 BMW Z4 ... COMMON problems, read them, search for solutions etc.

Other years of Bmw Z4

bmw z4 2004 photo
Z4 2004
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bmw z4 2005 photo
Z4 2005
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189

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29

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bmw z4 2006 photo
Z4 2006
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bmw z4 2007 photo
Z4 2007
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33

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bmw z4 2008 photo
Z4 2008
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18

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bmw z4 2009 photo
Z4 2009
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22

4

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