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2020 BMW Z4, illustration

BMW Z4 reliability: problems, specs and engines by year.

Owners filed 1,279 complaints about the 2003–2026 BMW Z4 with the government, most about steering.

Every year22 model yearsMost complaints: 2003See every year →ProblemsSteering69% of complaintsSteering69%Air bags7%Engine6%See problems →Recalls & safety28 recallsFree fix at any dealerSee recalls & safety →Specs & engines6 engineswith power and mpgSee specs →Questions2 quick answersWhat are the most common BMW Z4 problems?What engines does the BMW Z4 have?See questions →

Complaints by model year

Model yearComplaintsEnginesTop areas
2003414M54steering, air bags
2004411M54steering, air bags
2005191M54steering, air bags
200691N52steering, air bags
200733N52steering, engine
200819N52air bags, steering
200922N52, N54wheels, engine
201010N52, N54engine, brakes
201146N52, N54engine, steering
20125N20, N54engine, electrical
20137N20, N54electrical, air bags
20147N20, N54electrical, engine
20155N20, N54engine, electrical
20164N20, N54seat belts, speed control
20195B48engine, air bags
20205B48, B58steering, brakes
20211B48, B58other
20221B48, B58visibility, electrical
20230B48, B58—
20241B48, B58engine
20251B48, B58engine
20260B48, B58—

We don't have US sales for this model yet, so there's no Lemon Index: popular years draw more complaints partly because more were sold.

BMW Z4 2.5 L / 3.0 L inline-6 engine illustrationYT –
2.5 L / 3.0 L inline-6M542003–2005
2003·
2004·
2005·
BMW Z4 3.0 L inline-6 engine illustrationYT –
3.0 L inline-6N522006–2011
2006·
2007·
2008·
2009·
2010·
2011·
BMW Z4 3.0 L twin-turbo inline-6 engine illustrationYT –
3.0 L twin-turbo inline-6N542009–2016
2009·
2010·
2011·
2012·
2013·
2014·
2015·
2016·
BMW Z4 2.0 L turbo inline-4 engine illustrationYT –
2.0 L turbo inline-4N202012–2016
2012·
2013·
2014·
2015·
2016·
BMW Z4 2.0 L turbo inline-4 engine illustrationYT –
2.0 L turbo inline-4B482019–2026
2019·
2020·
2021·
2022·
2023·
2024·
2025·
2026·
BMW Z4 3.0 L turbo inline-6 engine illustrationYT –
3.0 L turbo inline-6B582020–2026
2020·
2021·
2022·
2023·
2024·
2025·
2026·

Scores are per model year, so a year with several engines shows the same score next to each one. An empty complaints bar means too few complaints to score that year; a gray dot means not enough YouTube videos. Sources: Wikipedia: BMW B48 · Wikipedia: BMW B58 · Wikipedia: BMW M54 · Wikipedia: BMW N20 · Wikipedia: BMW N52 · Wikipedia: BMW N54 · EPA fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

SystemShare of complaints
Steering69%
Air bags7%
Engine6%
Electrical5%
Wheels2%
Brakes1%

When problems show up

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 67,000 miles (middle: 45,000, from 1,085 complaints).

How serious

CrashesFiresInjury reportsDeath reports
20772

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recalls we found 28

  • 26V056000 31/01/2026 · 2021, 2022

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

  • 25V636000 23/09/2025 · 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY

  • 24V608000 14/08/2024 · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

  • 23V821000 06/12/2023 · 2023

    POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

  • 23V707000 20/10/2023 · 2010, 2011

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  • 23V099000 17/02/2023 · 2022, 2023

    VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

  • 22V119000 02/03/2022 · 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

  • 21V598000 02/08/2021 · 2019, 2020, 2021

    ENGINE

  • 21V554000 21/07/2021 · 2021

    SEAT BELTS

  • 20V700000 12/11/2020 · 2020, 2021

    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

  • 20V516000 27/08/2020 · 2019, 2020

    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

  • 20V355000 15/06/2020 · 2019

    STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

  • 19V850000 27/11/2019 · 2020

    EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

  • 19V732000 15/10/2019 · 2019

    ENGINE

  • 19V684000 28/09/2019 · 2019, 2020

    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

  • 19V273000 04/04/2019 · 2006

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

  • 17V683000 30/10/2017 · 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

  • 17V067000 02/02/2017 · 2011

    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

  • 14V627000 07/10/2014 · 2012, 2013, 2014

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

  • 14V176000 10/04/2014 · 2010, 2011

    ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

  • 13V454000 26/09/2013 · 2012, 2013, 2014

    SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM

  • 13V044000 07/02/2013 · 2009, 2010, 2011

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  • 12V302000 28/06/2012 · 2012

    STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

  • 09V327000 11/08/2009 · 2009

    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

  • 04V247000 24/05/2004 · 2003

    AIR BAGS

From NHTSA's recall lookup by model name and year; check a car's VIN for its own open recalls.

BMW Z4 specs and engines, every year. Every version the EPA lists, with its engine and owner complaints.

Engines used: B48B58M54N20N52N54

2026 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD28 mpg—
Z4 M40iB583.0 L I6 turbo382 hp · 369 lb-ft6-speed manual, 8-speed autoRWD22–25 mpg—
2025 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD28 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
Z4 M40iB583.0 L I6 turbo382 hp · 369 lb-ft6-speed manual, 8-speed autoRWD22–25 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
2024 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD28 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
Z4 M40iB583.0 L I6 turbo382 hp · 369 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD26 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
2023 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD28 mpg—
Z4 M40iB583.0 L I6 turbo382 hp · 369 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD26 mpg—
2022 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD28 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
Z4 M40iB583.0 L I6 turbo382 hp · 369 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD25 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
2021 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD28 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
Z4 M40iB583.0 L I6 turbo382 hp · 369 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD25 mpg1 complaint (all engines combined)
2020 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD27 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 M40iB583.0 L I6 turbo382 hp · 369 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD26 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
2019 · 1 version
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iB482.0 L I4 turbo255 hp · 295 lb-ft8-speed autoRWD28 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
2016 · 3 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive28iN202.0 L I4 turbo241 hp · 258 lb-ft6-speed manual, 8-speed autoRWD26 mpg4 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft7-speed dual-clutchRWD19 mpg4 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35isN543.0 L I6 turbo335 hp7-speed dual-clutchRWD19 mpg4 complaints (all engines combined)
2015 · 3 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive28iN202.0 L I4 turbo241 hp · 258 lb-ft6-speed manual, 8-speed autoRWD26 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft7-speed dual-clutchRWD19 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35isN543.0 L I6 turbo335 hp7-speed dual-clutchRWD19 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
2014 · 3 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive28iN202.0 L I4 turbo241 hp · 258 lb-ft6-speed manual, 8-speed autoRWD26 mpg7 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutchRWD19–21 mpg7 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35isN543.0 L I6 turbo335 hp7-speed dual-clutchRWD19 mpg7 complaints (all engines combined)
2013 · 3 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive28iN202.0 L I4 turbo241 hp · 258 lb-ft6-speed manual, 8-speed autoRWD26 mpg7 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutchRWD19–21 mpg7 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35isN543.0 L I6 turbo335 hp7-speed dual-clutchRWD19 mpg7 complaints (all engines combined)
2012 · 3 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive28iN202.0 L I4 turbo241 hp · 258 lb-ft6-speed manual, 8-speed autoRWD26–27 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft6-speed manual, 7-speed autoRWD19–21 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35isN543.0 L I6 turbo335 hp7-speed autoRWD19 mpg5 complaints (all engines combined)
2011 · 3 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iN523.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD22 mpg46 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft6-speed manual, 7-speed autoRWD19–21 mpg46 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35isN543.0 L I6 turbo335 hp7-speed autoRWD19 mpg46 complaints (all engines combined)
2010 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iN523.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD22 mpg10 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft6-speed manual, 7-speed autoRWD20 mpg10 complaints (all engines combined)
2009 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 sDrive30iN523.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD22 mpg22 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 sDrive35iN543.0 L I6 turbo302 hp · 295 lb-ft6-speed manual, 7-speed autoRWD20 mpg22 complaints (all engines combined)
2008 · 4 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 3.0iN523.0 L I6215 hp · 185 lb-ft6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21–22 mpg19 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 3.0siN523.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21–22 mpg19 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4not confirmed3.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21–22 mpg19 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 Mnot confirmed3.2 L I6—6-speed manualRWD18 mpg19 complaints (all engines combined)
2007 · 4 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 3.0iN523.0 L I6215 hp · 185 lb-ft6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21–22 mpg33 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 3.0siN523.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21–22 mpg33 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4not confirmed3.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21–22 mpg33 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 Mnot confirmed3.2 L I6—6-speed manualRWD17 mpg33 complaints (all engines combined)
2006 · 3 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4 3.0iN523.0 L I6215 hp · 185 lb-ft6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21 mpg91 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 3.0siN523.0 L I6—6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD21 mpg91 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4 Mnot confirmed3.2 L I6—6-speed manualRWD17 mpg91 complaints (all engines combined)
2005 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4M542.5 L I6—5-speed auto, 5-speed manualRWD21 mpg191 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4M543.0 L I6—5-speed auto, 6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD20–21 mpg191 complaints (all engines combined)
2004 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4M542.5 L I6—5-speed auto, 5-speed manual, 6-speed autoRWD21 mpg411 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4M543.0 L I6—5-speed auto, 6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD20–21 mpg411 complaints (all engines combined)
2003 · 2 versions
VersionEngineSizePowerTransmissionDriveEPAOwner complaints
Z4M542.5 L I6—5-speed auto, 5-speed manual, 6-speed autoRWD21 mpg414 complaints (all engines combined)
Z4M543.0 L I6—5-speed auto, 6-speed auto, 6-speed manualRWD20–21 mpg414 complaints (all engines combined)

Engine sizes, transmissions, drive and MPG: EPA (fueleconomy.gov). Engine codes and power: BMW's ratings as listed in Wikipedia's BMW engine articles (US-rated figures can differ by a few hp); "not confirmed" means we couldn't source the code for that version. Owner complaints: NHTSA, about the whole car (any system), not only the engine. Index = the model year's Lemon Index (complaints per car sold vs the average car); it is shown for a version only when that was the only engine that year. A complaint count is not a failure rate: popular versions draw more complaints because more were sold.

Quick answers

What are the most common BMW Z4 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the top areas are steering, air bags, engine.

What engines does the BMW Z4 have?

By model year: 2021: B48, B58; 2022: B48, B58; 2023: B48, B58; 2024: B48, B58; 2025: B48, B58; 2026: B48, B58. Full list in the specs table.

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