Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (78.7% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Steering complaints here are 13.0× the median for that category across the 1656 model-years tracked on this site.
1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 326 · 78.7% | Investigation closed | PE10020 |
| Air Bags | 27 · 6.5% | Recalled | Recall 04V247000 |
| Electrical System | 13 · 3.1% | No official action | — |
| Steering:electric Power Assist System | 10 · 2.4% | Investigation closed | PE10020 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 · 1.4% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 6 · 1.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 414 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 03V032000 · 2003 · reported 02/04/2003
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V182000 · 2004 · reported 04/12/2004
IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V214000 · 2003 · reported 06/09/2003
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V247000 · 2004 · reported 05/24/2004
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY NOT OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I HAVE BEEN HAVING ON PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING ON MY 2003 BMW Z4. WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE HIGH(OVER 80 DEGREES). THE STEERING BECOMES STICKY/NOTCHY AND…”NHTSA complaint 10353940 — filed 09/05/2010 · STEERING
“MY 2003 BMW Z4 HAS STICKY AND/OR BINDING ELECTRIC POWER ASSISTED STEERING CONTROL WHEN THE TEMPERATURES ARE 75 DEGREES OR WARMER, MAKING THE CAR DIFFICULT…”NHTSA complaint 10353046 — filed 08/31/2010 · STEERING
“WHILE DRIVING OUR BMW Z4 THE STEERING SEEMS TO GET LOCKED IN TO A POSITION WHICH REQUIRES MORE A LOT EFFORT THAN NORMAL TO STEER…”NHTSA complaint 10352408 — filed 08/27/2010 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 326 of 414 NHTSA complaints (78.7%), followed by air bags (27), electrical system (13), steering:electric power assist system (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
414 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 5 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 1 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 03V032000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
