2003 Bmw Z4 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (320) · Air Bags (17) · Steering:electric Power Assist System (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw Z4 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
354 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (45)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · B662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
Power Train 2020-04-01 · B110208 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
power reduction fc2a82 intake vanos and/or fc2 a87 exhaust vanos camshaft fault: the "service engine soon" (mil) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. this situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. if the ignition is cycled
Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices:exterior 2019-07-10 · 513608 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
"outside door mirror moves when locking or unlocking the vehicle. the door mirror tilts immediately after unlocking or locking. the mirror position does not correspond to the memory position preset by the customer. pressing the seat memory button typically will return the mirror to the stored positi
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-06-01 · B650709 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Showing the 6 most recent of 45 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-14 · Steering“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…”
2025-08-21 · Steering“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 …”
2024-09-15 · Steering“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“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 …”
2024-05-02 · Unknown Or Other“dealer sold me a car and the next day the car no turn on engine and have a full leaking under …”
2023-05-23 · Structure:body · 64,000 mi“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 tha…”
2023-05-13 · Steering“upon starting the car, power steering does not work making car unmanueverable.…”
2023-04-18 · Steering“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,…”
2023-04-11 · Steering“sticky steering steering wheel hard to turn and stops intermittently when outside temperature is hot…”
2022-12-09 · Unknown Or Other“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 …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.