2006 BMW Z4

91 complaints on file, page 1 of 5.

1. Filed Mar 20, 2024Failure Jan 10, 2024Covington, GASteering

   The electronic steering has failed several times while driving. This makes it very difficult to maintain a lane and avoid other vehicles. This problem continues intermittently. Thousands of Z4 owners have reported the same issue in online forums.

   NHTSA complaint 11578535
2. Filed Oct 20, 2023Failure Jul 12, 2023Cohutta, GASteering

   In hot weather, the steering binds, making keeping the car in the correct lane extremely difficult. The car will dart from one side to the other. The car will be nearly impossible to keep in the correct lane.

   NHTSA complaint 11551080
3. Filed Sep 3, 2023Failure Sep 3, 2023Attalla, ALElectrical system, Exterior lighting

   I have just found out that my 2006 BMW Z4 Convertible has serious wiring issues. The wires for example on my front headlights the insulation is falling off the and leaving bare wires. I am very concerned this could be a fire safety issue that could result in bare electrical wires shorting together and starting a car fire. My research shows that many people who have 2006 BMW Z4 Convertibles are having this same issue. This seems to be a real issue with BMW using cheap wiring harnesses material and over time due heat and cooling is cause the insulation to fail and resulting in this issue.

   NHTSA complaint 11542405
4. Filed Apr 11, 2023Failure Apr 11, 2023Natick, MASteering

   When the car gets hot (parked in the sun) the steering becomes knotchy or sticky and the car becomes difficult to control. No problems whatsoever when the car is cool or on a cooler day. This problem has been witnessed by a BMW technician and there are no warning lights. This appears to be a fairly common issues with these cars.

   NHTSA complaint 11516542
5. Filed Sep 16, 2022Failure Sep 16, 202250,000 milesBridgeville, DEEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the PCV valve heater needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11484865
6. Filed Aug 23, 2022Failure Apr 1, 2022Hammonton, NJEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact received a notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer had been notified of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11480747
7. Filed Jun 15, 2022Failure Jun 1, 2022120,000 milesBooneville, MSEngine

   The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. Additionally, there was a burning odor on the inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who changed the engine spark plugs however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11469378
8. Filed May 17, 2022Failure May 17, 201852,000 milesOrlando, FLEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2006 BMW Z4. The contact stated that while at a complete stop at the traffic light, the vehicle overheated and stalled. The coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The contact waited for the vehicle to cool down and then restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was towed to the dealer several times. The dealer completed the engine lifters replacement and other unknown repairs however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while stopped at the traffic light, the vehicle began to overheat significantly and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact immediately exited the vehicle. The contact later pushed the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11464958
9. Filed Nov 13, 2021Failure Sep 15, 2021Newark, DESteering

   The Steering wheel gets Hard, looks like power steering gets disabled automatically while driving, making it almost impossible to steer. This has started to happen after hot weather had started few months back. I have tried to reproduce this issue several times, but it happens randomly and Not all the time. I don't drive the car much. But this is definitely a serious issue, I checked the BMW community and a lot of people are facing this issue. Not Sure how many have filed a complaint here. But this definitely should be addressed by BMW as this is not just one person facing this issue, there are hundreds and thousands of them. Level of severity is high, as someone who might have not faced this issue yet might suddenly face it on the highway could result in an extremely fatal accident. Havent reported to BMW yet, But found this issue is being faced by alot of people I thought to file my complaint here. I will soon get it repaired or replaced. There were no Warning lamps or messages prior to this. It started happening in September 2021.

   NHTSA complaint 11440337
10. Filed Aug 12, 2021Failure Aug 12, 2021Chattanooga, TNSteering

    When the outside temperatures are warmer (mid 80's and above) the steering wheel will stick in the center position and require it to be jerked a bit to keep control. This occurs at all speeds, but does not seem to be the case when stopped. since it requires the steering wheel to be jerked to correct, it can cause the car to swerve. I have had the car for several years began noticing the issue once the weather got warmer. The date entered below is today's date, but I have had the issue for perhaps 5 years.

    NHTSA complaint 11428834
11. Filed Jun 28, 2021Failure Apr 28, 2021Harvest, ALSteering

    During warm weather the steering will momentary stick while driving which requires additional force to overcome. This happens at all speeds but is more noticeable at highway speeds while trying to maintain vehicle in driving lane. There are numerous complaints of this on the NHTSA site. I have written to BMW North America about this safety problem and mentioned the multitude of similar complaints but they refuse to address the problem and suggest I purchase a new steering column at $2500+!

    NHTSA complaint 11422683
12. Filed Jul 29, 2020Failure Jul 28, 201660,000 milesNorth Babylon, NYBody

    THE CONVERTIBLE TOP ON THE 2006 Z4 BMW HAS A MECHANISM THAT RAISES AND LOWERS THAT FAILS. IT'S LOCATION IS SUCH THAT IT IS EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS. WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR (USED)I WENT TO A BMW MECHANIC THAT TOLD ME THAT IF I DID HAVE HIM FIX IT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. TALKING TO OTHER BMW MECHANICS I GOT THE SAME INFO.

    NHTSA complaint 11342167
13. Filed Jun 29, 2020Failure Jun 29, 202046,000 milesColumbus, OHSteering

    VEHICLE STEERING BECOMES "STICKY" AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO WARM TEMPERATURES. THIS CAUSES THE STEERING TO CENTER AND REQUIRE GREATER THAN USUAL FORCE TO OFF CENTER THE WHEEL, CAUSING THE CAR TO BE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

    NHTSA complaint 11331628
14. Filed Feb 12, 2020Failure Feb 6, 2020104,000 milesMargate, FLElectrical system

    WENT TO CHANGE MY HEADLIGHT BULB AND NOTICES ALL OF THE WIRES WERE BARE. THE SHEATHING AROUND THE WIRES HAVE ALL CORRODED. THIS IS FOR THE COMPLETE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. EVERY SINGLE WIRE HAS CORRODED. SEEMS LIKE A FIRE HAZARD.

    NHTSA complaint 11308882
15. Filed Jan 17, 2020Failure Feb 1, 2014Poway, CAAir bags

    ABOUT 9 YEARS (2015) AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 55K MILES WHEN ISSUE BEGAN. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A MINOR OR MAJOR ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. CONTACTED BMW ABOUT ISSUE, BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY OF THE AIRBAG RECALLS THEY'VE INITIATED. NO ACTION WAS TAKEN BY ME TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE AND CONTINUED TO UTILIZE VEHICLE WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ALWAYS ILLUMINATED. IN FEBRUARY 2018, RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW REGARDING WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 15 YEARS FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT (OC3) FOR AIR BAG SYSTEM. BELIEVING AIRBAG ISSUE WAS DUE TO OC3 MAT, BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO LOCAL BMW DEALER TO GET REPAIR. BMW DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS A "RESTRAINT PASS LOWER BELT UNIT FAULTING" AND NOT OC3 MAT. HAD REPAIR PERFORMED SUCCESSFULLY.

    NHTSA complaint 11300223
16. Filed Oct 9, 2019Failure Jul 21, 201995,000 milesCedar Park, TXElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    THE INSULATED WIRING INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAS HARDENED AND THE INSULATION HAD CRACKED AND FALLEN OFF. THIS ALLOWS THE WIRES TO SHORT AND CAUSES UNEXPECTED FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHTS, PARKING LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS AND OTHER ITEMS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE LIGHTS FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY AND INTERMITTENTLY.

    NHTSA complaint 11267326
17. Filed Aug 27, 2019Failure Jul 18, 2019103,000 milesMargate, FLSteering

    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.

    NHTSA complaint 11246701
18. Filed Jul 8, 2019Failure Jul 5, 201915 milesYangon, CAElectrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system

    MY BATTERY IS IN GOOD CONDITION BUT I CAN'T START THE ENGINE.-700KM OIL SERVICE WARNING LIGHT DISPLAY ON MY DASH.FUEL PUMP IS WORKING.THEM OPEN THE KEY LIKE THAT SOUND GAP GAP IS COME OUT...PLS HELP ME...

    NHTSA complaint 11230059
19. Filed Mar 31, 2019Failure Mar 29, 201970,500 milesCharleston, WVSteering

    STEERING APPEARS TO BE STICKING OR STAYING AT A CERTAIN POINT IN THE STEERING RADIUS. I ALMOST VEERED INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I COMPENSATED IMMEDIATELY, BUT IT RELEASED ITS "STICK" AND TURN TO MUCH AND ALMOST VEERED INTO TRAFFIC I WAS IN. VERY SCARY, VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF MUCH INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. BAD

    NHTSA complaint 11192705
20. Filed Oct 9, 2018Failure Oct 8, 201832,000 milesHarvest, ALSteering

    RECURRING PROBLEM WITH STEERING INPUT EFFORT WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS. THE STEERING STICKS WHEN IN THE CENTER POSITION. RESISTANCE IS FELT AND IS DIFFICULT TO RETURN BACK TO THE CENTER POSITION. STICKING PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND WITH WARM OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE ABOVE 80 DEGREES. THE FASTER THE SPEED, THE MORE EFFORT NEEDED TO OVERCOME THE DETENT RESISTANCE, TO THE POINT THAT IT BECOMES EASY TO OVERSTEER THE CAR. THIS CAN BE REAL SCARY DURING AVOIDANCE MANEUVERS AND QUICK LANE CHANGES.

    NHTSA complaint 11139298