BMW Z4 recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 28 recalls and 1,268 owner complaints for the BMW Z4 (model years 2002–2016, 2019–2023, 2025). The most reported problem area is steering (982 complaints), followed by air bags (92 complaints). The 2020 model year has the most recalls (6).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2015 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2011 | 6 | 46 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2009 | 4 | 22 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2007 | 2 | 33 | 3 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 2 | 91 | 1 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 0 | 191 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 1 | 411 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2003 | 4 | 414 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2003 (414), 2004 (411) and 2005 (191). Among model years at least two years old, the 2023 has the fewest complaints on file (0).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all BMW Z4 model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 982 | 12 of 21 | |
| Air bags | 92 | 10 of 21 | |
| Electrical system | 70 | 15 of 21 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 40 | 10 of 21 | |
| Engine | 33 | 10 of 21 |
Latest 8 of 28 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V056000 | Jan 30, 2026 | Electrical system: starter assembly | 2021–2022 | 87,394 |
| 25V636000 | Sep 23, 2025 | Electrical system: starter assembly, relay | 2019–2022 | 199,674 |
| 24V608000 | Aug 13, 2024 | Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, pump | 2012–2014 | 720,796 |
| 23V821000 | Dec 6, 2023 | Power train: automatic transmission, control module (tcm/PCM/tecm) | 2023 | 552 |
| 23V707000 | Oct 20, 2023 | Engine and engine cooling: engine | 2010–2011 | 157,796 |
| 23V099000 | Feb 17, 2023 | Electrical system: software | 2022–2023 | 3,193 |
| 22V119000 | Mar 2, 2022 | Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv) | 2006–2011 | 917,106 |
| 21V598000 | Aug 2, 2021 | Engine | 2019–2021 | 50,024 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 19 complaints and a fire in 7 complaints; 6 people injured and 2 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.