BMW Z4 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank BMW Z4 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (1) and the 2003 the most (414).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 5 | Unknown or other | — | 25–28 |
| 2022 | 1 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 25–28 |
| 2002 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 0 | Steering | — | — |
| 2016 Among the fewest complaints |
4 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 19–26 |
| 2012 | 5 | 4 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 19–27 |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 | Electrical system | — | 19–26 |
| 2019 | 5 | 6 | Engine | — | 28 |
| 2020 | 5 | 6 | Electrical system | — | 26–27 |
| 2013 | 7 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 19–26 |
| 2014 | 7 | 3 | Electrical system | — | 19–26 |
| 2010 | 10 | 5 | Engine and engine cooling | — | 20–22 |
| 2008 | 19 | 2 | Air bags | — | 18–22 |
| 2009 | 22 | 4 | Wheels | — | 20–22 |
| 2007 | 33 | 2 | Steering | — | 17–22 |
| 2011 | 46 | 6 | Steering | — | 19–22 |
| 2006 | 91 | 2 | Steering | — | 17–21 |
| 2005 Among the most complaints |
190 | 0 | Steering | — | 20–21 |
| 2004 Among the most complaints |
411 | 1 | Steering | — | 20–21 |
| 2003 Among the most complaints |
414 | 4 | Steering | — | 20–21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the BMW Z4 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2003 BMW Z4: 414 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 342 (83%); Air bags 31 (7%); Electrical system 13 (3%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 42,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2004 BMW Z4: 411 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 378 (92%); Air bags 18 (4%); Electrical system 14 (3%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 2 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 47,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2005 BMW Z4: 190 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 172 (91%); Air bags 9 (5%); Electrical system 6 (3%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 46,500 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The BMW Z4 years with the fewest complaints
2021 BMW Z4: 1 complaints
5 recall campaigns listed.
2002 BMW Z4: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 3 (75%); Electronic stability control 1 (25%); Power train 1 (25%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2016 BMW Z4: 4 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (25%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (25%); Seat belts 1 (25%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in BMW Z4 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2019 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2012 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2010 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2008 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2007 | 33 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 47,000 |
| 2006 | 91 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 54,000 |
| 2005 | 190 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 46,500 |
| 2004 | 411 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 47,000 |
| 2003 | 414 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42,000 |
| 2002 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest BMW Z4 recalls
- PCV Heater May Short Circuit (2006–2011 model years; 917,106 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2022; 22V119000)
- PCV Heater may Short Circuit (2007–2011 model years; 740,561 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2017; 17V683000)
- Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit (2012–2016 model years; 720,796 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2024; 24V608000)
- Loss of Electrical Power/Stalling (2009–2011 model years; 516,791 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2013; 13V044000)
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2019–2020 model years; 257,473 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V684000)
All 28 BMW Z4 recall campaigns · BMW Z4 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
BMW Z4 years FAQ
Which BMW Z4 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there BMW Z4 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2003, 2004 and 2005 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the steering. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common BMW Z4 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the steering (985 of 1,280 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the BMW Z4 have?
NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns covering the BMW Z4. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the BMW Z4 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.