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U.S. public vehicle records

Bmw Z4 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,280 owner complaints analyzed

29 distinct recall campaigns

45,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2002 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 1,090 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 949 of 1,280 complaints (74.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior97676.3%
Electrical and battery issues634.9%
Braking behavior383.0%
Engine operation362.8%
Transmission and shifting231.8%
Fuel system concerns90.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Steering
949
Air Bags
85
Electrical System
73
Engine
35
Engine And Engine Cooling
31
Wheels
25
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
23
Service Brakes
16
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Steering949
Air Bags85
Electrical System73
Engine35
Engine And Engine Cooling31
Wheels25
Steering:Electric Power Assist System23
Service Brakes16

Steering: 949; Air Bags: 85; Electrical System: 73; Engine: 35; Engine And Engine Cooling: 31; Wheels: 25; Steering:Electric Power Assist System: 23; Service Brakes: 16

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
259
25,000 to 49,999
333
50,000 to 74,999
301
75,000 to 99,999
121
100,000 to 149,999
68
150,000 and above
8
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000259
25,000 to 49,999333
50,000 to 74,999301
75,000 to 99,999121
100,000 to 149,99968
150,000 and above8

Under 25,000: 259; 25,000 to 49,999: 333; 50,000 to 74,999: 301; 75,000 to 99,999: 121; 100,000 to 149,999: 68; 150,000 and above: 8

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (333). 190 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003
13
2004
14
2005
22
2006
10
2007
3
2008
28
2009
46
2010
179
2011
154
2012
106
2013
111
2014
102
2015
87
2016
80
2017
52
2018
70
2019
53
2020
43
2021
17
2022
25
2023
17
2024
22
2025
20
2026
6
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200313
200414
200522
200610
20073
200828
200946
2010179
2011154
2012106
2013111
2014102
201587
201680
201752
201870
201953
202043
202117
202225
202317
202422
202520
20266

2003: 13; 2004: 14; 2005: 22; 2006: 10; 2007: 3; 2008: 28; 2009: 46; 2010: 179; 2011: 154; 2012: 106; 2013: 111; 2014: 102; 2015: 87; 2016: 80; 2017: 52; 2018: 70; 2019: 53; 2020: 43; 2021: 17; 2022: 25; 2023: 17; 2024: 22; 2025: 20; 2026: 6

Pattern summary

Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 976 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 63 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 38 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10358581 · 2010-10-01 (October 1, 2010)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY HARD TO HANDLE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO THE NEXT LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ELECTRONIC SENSOR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,419.

Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10358581 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10520603 · 2013-06-19 (June 19, 2013)

BUT BOUGHT WITH LESS THAN 12,500 MILES, THEY FOUND TURNED UNSTABLE SITUATION, HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND WHAT THE REASON, AT TIMES ALMOST A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHEN DRIVING, THE TIRE DOES NOT FEEL STICKY, BUT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE PLACE (LIKE A DRUNK DRIVER), THE STEERING FEELS VERY LOOSE, NOT TOO SENSITIVE. IF I DO ANYTHING MORE THAN A SLIGHT ROTATION, DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM HAS BEEN STARTED, IF THE CURVE WENT TO THE RIGHT, I HAD TO "JERK" TO GO STRAIGHT TO RECTIFY THE SAME, IF IT WENT. WHEN A STRAIGHT ROAD, IT WILL FEEL V…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10520603 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10093819 · 2004-10-08 (October 8, 2004)

CENTER HIGH MOUNTED STOP LAMP (THIRD BRAKE LIGHT) EASILY CHIPS/BREAKS THAT WOULD ALLOW WATER FROM RAIN OR WASHING TO SIP INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE BATTERY AND OTHER ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ARE LOCATED. WATER COULD SHORT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CAUSE A FIRE, OR STALL THE VEHICLE WHILE IT IS IN MOTION, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. BROKEN THIRD BRAKE LIGHT INCIDENTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AND DISCUSSED IN BWM INTERNET FORUMS. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093819 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10291919 · 2009-11-12 (November 12, 2009)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW Z4. AFTER HE REPLACED THE BATTERY, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SINCE HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL #08V384000 ( AIR BAGS: FRONTAL), HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY $1,500.00 FOR THE REPAIR. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291919 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10031217 · 2003-08-10 (August 10, 2003)

I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND I HAD TO STOP. I BEGAN EASING UP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP. IT WAS THEN THAT I REALIZED I WAS HAVING TO PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE CAR WAS NOT MAINTAINING THE SLOW SPEED I WAS EXPECTING. HAVING REACHED THE POINT AT WHICH I HAD TO STOP, I FOUND MYSELF PRESSING QUITE HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND NOTICED THE TACHOMETER READING 3,500 TO 4,000 RPM'S. I BELIEVE IT WAS MY TAPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL THAT GOT THE CAR TO REV AT THE NORMAL R…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,095 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031217 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033253 · 2003-08-21 (August 21, 2003)

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE IN MY JUNE 2003 PRODUCTION BMW Z4 3.0I ROADSTER. THE CAR SUDDENLY DIES AT 65 MPH. THE "EML" LIGHT COMES ON, BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON, RPM NEEDLE SURGES, THROTTLE IS UNRESPONSIVE, AND THE FOOT BRAKES ARE FROZEN AND CANNOT BE DEPRESSED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO SWERVE OFF THE INTERSTATE, ACROSS THE SERVICE ROAD, AND INTO A PARKING LOT WHERE I HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKES TO GET THE CAR TO STOP COMPLETELY.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033253 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10061950 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)

MY CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD GOING FIFTY MILES AN HOUR ON UNIVERSITY CITY BLVD. IN CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE BUT LUCKILY THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID ME. I HAVE NEVER BEEN THAT SCARED IN MY LIFE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME THE CAR HAD BROKEN DOWN IN NINE MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME BEING MAY 27, 2003. THE SECOND BEING OCTOBER 25, 2003. AND THE THIRD TIME BEING JANUARY 16, 2004 (THIS IS THE TIME IT STALLED GOING 50 MILES ON THE ROAD). THE DEALERSHIP, BMW ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, AND THE MANAGERS AT HENDRICK IM…

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061950 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10033452 · 2003-08-25 (August 25, 2003)

2003 BMW Z4 3.0 WITH THE SMG TRANSMISSION (W/ SPORT PACKAGE). THE FOLLOWING INSTANCE HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN THE CURRENT 2,600 MILES ON THE NEW VEHICLE. WHILE IN THE "MANUAL MODE" IN THE SMG TRANSMISSION AND DOWNSHIFTING TO FIRST GEAR (AT A 4-WAY STOP INTERSECTION), WHILE WAITING TO ACCELERATE OUT INTO THE INTERSECTION THE TRANSMISSION "SLIPPED" INTO NETURAL WITHOUT MYSELF (DRIVER) KNOWING, SO WHEN IT WAS TIME TO ACCELERATE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION I WAS VERY SUPRISED TO FIND I DID NOT MOVE BUT HEARD THE ENGINE JUST REV WHILE I STAYED PUT!! …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10033452 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10130858 · 2005-08-01 (August 1, 2005)

DT: CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL 04V182000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; DELIVERY; FUEL PUMP. HE SAID THIS VEHICLE WAS DOING EXACTLY THE SAME THING AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT LED TO ENGINE SHUT DOWN. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE DIED. WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF. CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS CAR SHOULD FALL WITHIN THE RECALL, BUT THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM CAR DID NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10130858 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10139278 · 2005-10-11 (October 11, 2005)

WHILE DRIVING WEST ON I-70 NEAR EXIT 218 (ELEV 10,300', WEST OF DENVER) MY 2003 BMW Z4 STALLED. AFTER NUMEROUS RESTARTS, I WAS ABLE TO GET IF OFF THE ROAD AND ONTO THE EXIT. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE HAULED TO THE BMW DEALER IN DENVER. THEY REPORTED TO ME THAT A SCREEN ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL PUMP HAD COLLAPSED, CUTTING OFF THE FUEL SUPPLY. THE REPLACED THE PUMP. AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD ABOUT 5000 MILES ON IT. IN EARLY AUGUST 2005 I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WEST ON US 6, CROSSING SOLDIER SUMMIT (ELEV. 7400'), WEST OF PRICE, UT. AGAIN THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10139278 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2010
5
2011
6
2012
4
2013
3
2014
3
2015
1
2016
1
2019
6
2020
6
2021
5
2022
4
2023
3
2024
1
2025
1
2026
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20105
20116
20124
20133
20143
20151
20161
20196
20206
20215
20224
20233
20241
20251
20261

2010: 5; 2011: 6; 2012: 4; 2013: 3; 2014: 3; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2019: 6; 2020: 6; 2021: 5; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1

Year-by-year records

Bmw Z4 model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200240Not available
20034144+4
20044111-3
20051900-1
2006912+2
20073320
20081920
2009224+2
2010105+1
2011466+1
201254-2
201373-1
2014730
201551-2
2016410
201956Not available
2020560
202115-1
202214-1
202303-1
202401-2
2025010
2026010