10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 81,961 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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
- Augusta, GA, USA
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)
- Southlake, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to taylor BMW (4180 Washington rd, evans, ga 30809, (706) 868-6400) and the contact was informed that the warranty had expired; therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The manufacturer was contacted and also stated that the vehicle was out of warranty. The contact later received a letter from the manufacturer stating that they were extending the warranty to 15 years with unlimited mileage. The contact called the manufacturer back and was advised to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The dealer wanted to charge a diagnostic fee and the contact refused. The dealer called the manufacturer, but the contact never heard back from the dealer. On April 26, 2019, the contact called the manufacturer to get an update and was informed that he would be called back. The contact had not received a return call. The failure mileage was 20,000. Consumer stated dealer is not honoring the warranty. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
- Augusta, GA, USA
On July 2018 BMW issued an important limited warranty information notice related to this vehicle. BMW would cover repairs to the front passenger seat occupancy for the SRS/air bag system. Unfortunately this warranty repair will not cover my vehicle because the 15 year period does not include my vehicle that was put into service in January 2003. I believe that BMW should cover any 2003 BMW Z4 rather than cutting off those made in the prior 6 months. BMW refuses to cover. The other concern I have relates to the servo motor/electronic steering control unit. Recently this failed and I note that other bmws have had this problem too. I believe your Agency should determine whether or not this warrants a recall too. It is very dangerous to be driving and the power steering ceases to function. People will be killed. In my case the vehicle had been in the shop for unrelated repairs and when I picked it up the power steering was out. The shop had noticed the steering seemed tight and told me the unit needed to be replaced at a cost of $4,000. I was able to drive the vehicle home without incident. I had the battery replaced and the steering is back to normal. Research on the web indicated this is something that has happened with numerous other bmws.
- Cynthiana, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated and remained lit, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to bergstrom BMW (3002 N victory ln, appleton, wi) where it was diagnosed that the air bag control unit was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 85,698.
- Greenbay, WI, USA
On August 1 of this year I received a letter from BMW stating that there was a problem with the front passenger seat occupancy mat(OC3) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS/air bag system). I made an appointment for the following week and when I got to the dealership they told me my extended warranty had run out in March of this year. When I called BMW of North America I was told the only way to get it fixed is at my expense. Over the next 2 days I spoke to them 3 different times and they would not pay to fix a safety problem that was in the vehicle when it came off the factory floor.
- Green Valley, IL, USA
Follow up to NHTSA complaint id 10353056. Received letter from BMW that the airbag replacement warranty for my vehicle serial number was extended to 15 years. Received letter on 7/31/18, with 15 year service date expired on 7/11/18. Letter was worthless, as they waited until the 15 year extension had expired by several weeks before sending the notification. The inability of the passenger airbag to inflate in an accident is a serious safety defect that continues to be ignored for my vehicle as well as others reported to the NHTSA. BMW needs to be held liable for any injuries resulting from an airbag failing to deploy in an accident.
- Louisville, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the front passenger air bag warning indicator remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the passenger air bag failed. The front passenger air bag sensor was reset several times; however, the failure was not corrected. The independent mechanic concluded that the failure was caused by the front passenger sensor mat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Dracut, MA, USA
Takata recall. 2003 BMW Z4 air bags did not deploy nor did seat belts lock when car hit a tracter trailer who suddenly stopped short on the highway. BMW was moving at approx 80 mph when driver hit breaks upon seeing trailer stop short.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
My car is every low millage (13,000) and has always been stored in a garage and well cared for. When I turned the passenger side airbag off the airbag warning light came on. It would not go off when I turn the airbag back on. The BMW dealership said there is a processor in that needs to be replaced and it is a $1400 repair. I found a NHTSA recall # 04V247000 for the 2003 Z4 that seems to be the same issue. BMW does not show my VIN number under that recall. What should I do?
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA
There was not an incident, the airbag light came on and stays on. I took it to the body shop to have the error reset and it said take it to the dealership. I did not and it is still on. Was there a recall on this.
- Albuquerque, NM, USA
Steering locks up.. if shut off and restarted several times it releases.. went to get gas.. shut off.. started.. same thing with addition of air bag light going on.. shut off several more times to get going but air bag light stayed on.
- Union City , CA, USA
Steering locks up.. if shut off and restarted several times it releases.. went to get gas.. shut off.. started.. same thing with addition of air bag light going on.. shut off several more times to get going but air bag light stayed on.
- Union City , CA, USA
Air bag warning light has been on for three years. Have had 3 tests incl lieth BMW test that verifies it is the passenger side occupancy sensor mat. This defect is a known problem in many BMW models. BMW refuses to fix it yet requires me to do these diagnosis (for a fee) over and over. Not only that - they have drastically raised the price to repair to >$1400. I seriously question the safety of the car and feel BMW uses the issue as an opportunity to make high profits off the safety concerns of its customers.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Vehicle was parked on the lot someone heard a loud pop noise and noticed smoke coming from interior of vehicle, found passenger side dash air bag had been deployed this vehicle was parked and locked with keys inside the building.
- Downingtown, PA, USA
Air bag light is on.
- Beaufort, MO, USA
The air bag light illuminated and has remained illuminated for over 1 year now. When I called BMW na to inquire whether this issue was covered under the 04V247000 recall, I was told my VIN was not one of the VIN numbers covered under this recall. However, in light of the numerous similar complaints filed by owners of this vehicle, it is evident that a problem exists with the air bag module of this vehicle. BMW na nevertheless has responded with the same answer "your VIN number is not included in the list of affected VIN numbers." In case an injury, which could have been prevented by a properly functioning airbag system, is sustained by myself or any other complaining owner, BMW na should be deemed to have been placed on actual notice of the defect and should be held liable for its intentional disregard of a known hazard.
- Belleville, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the front passenger mat needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was then notified and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04V247000 (air bags). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Chiefland, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the air bag warning lights illuminated as the vehicle was started. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised the contact that the VIN did not qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V247000 (air bags). The failure and the current mileages were 50,000.
- Willdomar, CA, USA
- Augusta, GA, USA