Recalls
6campaigns
2 lighting · 1 electrical · 1 engine
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
5filed
Owner reports, 2011–2022 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
27mpg combined
$2,419/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2 L 4-cyl· 8-speed automatic
2 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (6)
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 BMW Z4. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2020 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Park outside: fire risk. NHTSA advises parking outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.
Engine Starter May Corrode and Overheat
Electrical system · starter assembly · relay
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
- Consequence
- A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
60.3% repairedof 199,674 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V636000
Listed for 2020 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Loss of Braking Assist
Engine
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
- Consequence
- Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
95.9% repairedof 50,024 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V598000
Listed for 2020 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Fuel Tank Weld May Fail
Fuel system, gasoline · storage · tank assembly
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Z4 and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. The weld between the fuel tank halves may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.
- Consequence
- The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
83.7% repairedof 49 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V700000
Listed for 2020 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Horizontal Headlamp Adjustment Possible/FMVSS 108
Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlamps are able to be adjusted horizontally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence
- Should the headlamps be adjusted horizontally, there could be increased glare and reduced visibility for oncoming drivers, or reduced visibility for the vehicle operator, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp vertical and horizontal adjustment plugs, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. BMW owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
95% repairedof 4,265 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V516000
Listed for 2020 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Loss of Headlight Function
Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 Z4 M40i, Z4 sDrive30i, 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles as well as 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights.
- Consequence
- Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
88.5% repairedof 245 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V850000
Listed for 2020 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111
Back over prevention · sensing system · camera
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
- Consequence
- The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
96.6% repairedof 257,473 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 19V684000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (5)
5 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
1involved a crash
0involved a fire
0injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 2 | 40% |
| Engine | 2 | 40% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 40% |
| Steering | 2 | 40% |
| Structure | 1 | 20% |
| Suspension | 1 | 20% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 20% |
How 2020 compares with other Z4 years
Best and worst Z4 years →201146
20125
20137
20147
20155
20164
20195
20205
20211
20221
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 46 | 6 |
| 2012 | 5 | 4 |
| 2013 | 7 | 3 |
| 2014 | 7 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 |
| 2016 | 4 | 1 |
| 2019 | 5 | 6 |
| 2020 | 5 | 6 |
| 2021 | 1 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3 |
This year (2020)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined
27
mpg combined
24
city
32
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 324 g/mi
- EPA class
- Two Seaters
What it costs you to run
$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year
Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | $3,050 | 324 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 24 / 31 / 26 | $3,150 | 334 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2020 Z4 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2020 BMW Z4 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2020 BMW Z4 have?
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns: 25V636000 (electrical), 21V598000 (engine), 20V700000 (fuel system), 20V516000 (lighting), 19V850000 (lighting), 19V684000 (rear camera). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2020 BMW Z4 problems?
Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (2), Engine (2), Service brakes (2) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2020 BMW Z4 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 24 city, 32 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2020 Z4 compare with other years?
Among the 2011–2021 BMW Z4 model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2011 the most (46). The 2020 drew 5. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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