21 NHTSA safety recalls cover the BMW Z4, across model years 2006–2023. 1 carry a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. Every recall repair is free at any BMW dealer.
Is yours affected? Check your Z4 by VIN — or pick your model year below for every recall, complaint and fix.
Recalls and owner complaints by model year
Of the BMW Z4 model years, the 2011 drew the most owner complaints (46).
Recalls: NHTSA campaigns covering each BMW Z4 model year on this page. Complaints: owner reports filed with NHTSA for that model year, including trims and variants sold under the model name (e.g. an F-150 page counts F-150 Raptor). Separate scales: compare the shape, not the heights across panels.
| Model year | Recalls | Owner complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | no data |
| 2007 | 2 | no data |
| 2008 | 2 | no data |
| 2009 | 3 | no data |
| 2010 | 5 | 10 |
| 2011 | 6 | 46 |
| 2012 | 3 | 5 |
| 2013 | 3 | 7 |
| 2014 | 3 | 7 |
| 2015 | 1 | 5 |
| 2016 | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 | 0 | no data |
| 2018 | 0 | no data |
| 2019 | 6 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 | 5 |
| 2021 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 | 1 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 |
What these recalls fix, grouped by the vehicle system NHTSA files them under:
BMW recalls certain 2021-2022 Z4 models with risk of fire from overheating starter. Owners must have starter replaced free by dealer by March 24, 2026.
BMW recalls 2020 Z4 vehicles with potential starter relay short circuit causing fire risk. Owners must park outside until repair. Free starter replacement available.
BMW is recalling certain 2018 X5 models due to an electrical short that could cause fire. Owners must have their water pump and connector inspected and replaced by dealers at no cost.
BMW recalls 2011 X5 vehicles with loose VANOS bolts that can cause engine stalls and increase crash risk. Owners must have bolts replaced by dealers free of charge.
BMW is recalling certain 2023 X3 models due to a potential transmission oil leak that could cause sudden loss of drive power and increase crash risk. Owners must contact dealers for free repairs.
When the BMW Z4 recalls were issued, by year — a cluster usually means one defect recalled in stages or across a platform.
Owners have filed 98 complaints with NHTSA about the BMW Z4; the most reported area is electrical system. These are reports, not recalls: they are how NHTSA spots defects.
We have 21 NHTSA safety recalls on record for the BMW Z4, covering model years 2006–2023. The most recent was issued Jan 30, 2026 (Electrical System).
The 2020 BMW Z4 has the most, with 6 recalls on record. Every model year with a recall is listed on this page with links to each one.
By system: Engine and Engine Cooling (5), Electrical System (3), Power Train (2), Engine (2).
1 of these recalls carry an NHTSA do-not-drive or park-outside warning. If your vehicle is covered by one, follow it until the repair is done and ask the dealer about a tow or loaner. Most other recalls let you keep driving, but book the repair promptly.
Run a VIN recall check: enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact year, then confirm at NHTSA.gov which are still unrepaired on your vehicle. Any BMW dealer can also look it up.
Yes. Federal law requires BMW to fix safety recalls free of charge at any authorized BMW dealer, regardless of the vehicle’s age or how many owners it has had.