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2021 BMW Z4: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 BMW Z4, most recently filed January 2026. Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Recalls 5campaigns 2 electrical · 1 engine · 1 seat belt Source: NHTSA Complaints 1filed Owner reports, 2011–2022 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 28mpg combined $2,333/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
Compare

Recalls (5)

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 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 2021 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 26V056000 Filed Jan 30, 2026

Starter Motor May Overheat and Cause a Fire

Electrical system · starter assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Consequence
Fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
32.2% repairedof 87,394 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 26V056000
Listed for 2021 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.
Recall 25V636000 Filed Sep 23, 2025

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 2021 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V598000 Filed Aug 2, 2021

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 2021 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V554000 Filed Jul 21, 2021

Passenger Seat Belt Malfunction/FMVSS 208

Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
Summary
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i, X2 M35i, Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper SE), MINI Convertible (Cooper, Cooper S, JCW), MINI Clubman (Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW), MINI Countryman (Cooper, Cooper All4, Cooper S, Cooper S All4, JCW All4), Rolls Royce Ghost, MINI Countryman (Cooper S E All4), Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, and Toyota Supra vehicles. The passenger seat belt Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, before the webbing fully retracts. As such, these assemblies fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence
During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
98.8% repairedof 21,537 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 21V554000
Listed for 2021 BMW Z4. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 20V700000 Filed Nov 12, 2020

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

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.

Which Z4 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the BMW Z4All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (1)

1 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The unknown or other is mentioned most often.

0involved 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

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 BMW Z4, by component (top 1). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 1.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2021 compares with other Z4 years

Best and worst Z4 years →
46 5 7 7 5 4 5 5 1 1
2011201220132014201520162019202020212022
This year (2021)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 28 mpg combined

28
mpg combined
25
city
32
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,950
CO₂ tailpipe
321 g/mi
EPA class
Two Seaters

What it costs you to run

$2,333per year
$194per month
536gallons a year

Miles ÷ 28 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

2021 BMW Z4 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28$2,950321
3 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive22 / 30 / 25$3,300355

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2021 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.

All Z4 years

Where to next

Which Z4 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2022 BMW Z4 report1 complaints · 3 campaigns →2020 BMW Z4 report5 complaints · 6 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2021 BMW Z4 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2021 BMW Z4 have?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns: 26V056000 (electrical), 25V636000 (electrical), 21V598000 (engine), 21V554000 (seat belt), 20V700000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2021 BMW Z4 problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. Unknown or other (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2021 BMW Z4 get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 25 city, 32 highway and 28 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2021 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 2021 drew 1. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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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