Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2010 BMW Z4 with NHTSA between 2010 and 2026.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 11 of 12 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 4
Against the median year of the BMW Z4. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
75% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2010 BMW Z4
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
440.0%
Median failure at 8,000 miles
Wheels
110.0%
Median failure at 7,131 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
110.0%
Median failure at 100 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
110.0%
Median failure at 68,000 miles
Brakes
110.0%
Median failure at 1,500 miles
Electrical System
110.0%
Median failure at 10,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
110.0%
Median failure at 161,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
112.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
450.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
112.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
112.5%
150,000+ miles
112.5%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2010peak 2May 2026
Recalls on the 2010 BMW Z4
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2024544587,250 units in Canada
Label
Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "NONE" when it should read as "NONE / AUCUN". Canadian regulations require the information to be listed on the label in both English and French. Safety Risk: This error does not affect vehicle safety. Corrective Actions: This is not a recall. The company has corrected the tire and loading information label for all new vehicles.
Recall 202356821,475 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles, the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) adjustment unit housing bolts could loosen or break. As a result, the camshaft could become incorrectly adjusted and cause the engine to enter a reduced power mode (limp mode) or to stall while driving. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to replace the VANOS bolts.
Recall 202209598,111 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short circuit and overheat. Note: This replaces Transport Canada recalls 2017-470 and 2019-170. Only vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K engine require this repair. Safety Risk: An overheated engine PCV valve heater could create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: BMW will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to install a wire harness repair kit. BMW recommends that you should park your vehicle outdoors until the recall repairs have been completed.
Recall 201747079,616 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If this occurs, the surrounding plastics could overheat, melt and potentially cause a fire, which could increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the PCV valve heater.
Recall 201417021,811 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would revert to "limp home mode", limiting available engine power. In rare instances the engine could stall, increasing the risk of a collision causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace housing bolts that break and perform associated repairs for 10 years/unlimited mileage from the vehicle's in-service date. Note: This applies only to vehicles not covered by recall 2014-127.
Recall 201412720,022 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, housing bolts for the variable camshaft timing system could break, allowing camshaft timing to deviate. If this occurs, the engine would revert to "limp home mode", limiting available engine power. This could increase the risk of a collision causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace affected bolts.
Recall 201304865,685 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This could interrupt the vehicle’s electrical system, resulting in engine stalling, loss of vehicle propulsion and a loss of function of various vehicle systems, such as lights. A loss of vehicle propulsion and electrical vehicle systems, in conjunction with traffic and road conditions, and the driver’s reactions, could increase the risk of a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector with an updated version.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 161,000 milesSanta Fe, TX
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2010 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH when attempting to depress the accelerator pedal the vehicle decrease speed independently. No warning lights illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an dealer where it was diagnosed the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and they informed him there are no recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
NHTSA complaint #11737891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Diego, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2010 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms tools are not available
NHTSA complaint #11470484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesPflugerville, TX
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
BMW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A KNOWN ISSUE CAUSING FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. THE BMW TECHNICAL BULLETIN IS (SI B 13 03 09). THIS EXTENDS THE WARRANTY OF THE PART TO 10 YEARS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FAILURE IS NOT WELL DOCUMENTED BY THE VEHICLE ISSUE LOGGING SYSTEM, AND THAT OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR ARE CITED AS A REASON TO NOT PERFORM THE PART REPLACEMENT. BMW N. AMERICA AND BMW OF AUSTIN DO NOT, AND CAN NOT PROVIDE A TEST TO CHECK THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM INDEPENDENTLY. THIS PUTS DRIVERS, PASSENGERS AND ANYONE ELSE AT RISK SHOULD THE PART FAIL SUDDENLY AFTER EXHIBITING PARTIAL FAILURES. THE COMPLAINT SHOULD ALSO NOTE THAT BMW DOES NOT PROVIDE AN EASY WAY TO REPORT THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE AS THERE IS NO FIXED PROCESS TO DOCUMENT THE ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #11140417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesScottsdale, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10730345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100 milesTustin, CA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
DURING A COLD, DRIVING RAIN STORM, WITH DRIVER & 1 PASSENGER, STARTED TO DRIVE. (VERY 1ST DRIVE IN THIS CAR WITH COLD WEATHER) WHAT A SURPRISE: WINDSHIELD IMMEDIATELY FOGGED UP. TURNED ON DEFOGGER, WINDSHIELD THEN FOGGED UP 100% AS WELL AS ALL OTHER WINDOWS - AS VISIBILITY DISAPPEARED, I STOPPED THE CAR & OPENED THE WINDOWS WITH THE BLOWER ON. NO HEAT COULD BE USED. THIS PROCESS WAS REPEATED OVER THE NEXT 1 TO 1-1/2 HOURS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING. ISSUE WAS REPORTED TO BMW MANY TIMES OVER. I HAD TO LEARN THAT DESPITE COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES W-W/O RAIN, SNOW, ETC. - THE A/C MUST BE TURNED ON IN ORDER TO NOT FOG THE WINDOWS. BMW: THERE'S NOTHING TO FIX, THAT'S THE WAY IT IS. THE AMBIENT AIR IS DIRECTED THROUGH A PORTION OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THIS HEATS UP THE AIR. BMW STATED THAT I MAY VOID THE WARRANTY IF I MODIFY THE SYSTEM TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR. ON A DRIVE ON CA'S COAST HIGHWAY, WITH TEMPS IN THE LOW 50'S - ONE MUST STILL RUN THE A/C & NO HEAT. BMW ASKED: WHAT DO YOU HAVE AGAINST RUNNING THE A/C ALL THE TIME? IN ADDITION TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY - THIS RESULTS IN CONSTANT, VERY LOW MPG WITH THE A/C ALWAYS ON. WHEN BMW PROVIDED MPG'S TO FED. AGENCIES, I BELIEVE THAT BMW'S A/C'S WERE NOT ON & THESE CARS DEMAND PREMIUM FUEL. I SPOKE WITH A NATIONALLY KNOWN, RESPECTED TESTER/ADVISERS OF MANY VEHICLES - IT WAS CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE MPG TESTS ARE CONDUCTED WITHOUT THE A/C'S BEING TURNED ON.
NHTSA complaint #10695276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mardla Springs, MD
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V176000 (ENGINE). THE DEALER COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FOR EIGHT MONTHS BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10627984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,131 milesFlower Mound, TX
WHEELS
REAR RIMS CRACKING ON 2010 BMW Z4 WITH ONLY 7,200 MILES. DEALER STATES ISSUE CAUSED BY POT HOLES, BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN WHY FRONT RIMSWERE NOT CRACKED.
NHTSA complaint #10412024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesRancho Cucamonga, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2011 BMW Z4, PURCHASED NEW WITH APPROXIMATELY 7K MILES. STARTED TO FEEL VIBRATION WHEN I PUT ON BRAKES AROUND 5K MILE MARK. VIBRATION LASTS 1-2 SECONDS. HAPPENED 20 TIMES SO FAR. I WAS DRIVING TODAY, 7000K MILE MARK, AND THE ENGINE FAILED AND DIED. LIKE SOMEBODY JUST TURNED IT OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ON LOCAL STREET SO I JUST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! THEN I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT CAME BACK TO LIFE AND RAN LIKE NORMAL. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND DEALER SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. SOMETHING IS WRONG IF YOUR CAR DIES WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING!!
NHTSA complaint #10410874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 9,000 milesAustin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHENEVER SLOWING DOWN TO A NEAR STOP, THE ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY STALL. THIS CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME, BUT IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS IN THE 90'S OR ABOVE (IT WILL STALL IN COLD TEMPERATURE AS WELL, BUT NOT AS OFTEN). THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME OF THE STALL IS ALWAYS COMPLETELY NORMAL, THE CAR IS NOT OVERHEATING IN ANYWAY. IT IS ALSO MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN "SPORT MODE". THIS ISSUE ONLY EFFECTS BMW E89 3.0 AUTOMATICS. AN AUTOMATIC SHOULD NEVER STALL. ONCE THE ENGINE STALLS YOU ARE FORCED TO STOP THE CAR IN ORDER TO RESTART TO MOVE. THIS ISSUE IS OCCURRING WORLD-WIDE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE BMW DEALER IN AUSTIN, TX TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES PRESENT IN THE COMPUTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOT ON. I HAD A BMW SHOP FOREMAN DRIVE WITH ME AND WE REPRODUCED THE ENGINE STALL AS WE APPROACHED A STOPLIGHT. HE STATED THERE WERE NO BMW SERVICE BULLETINS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. OTHER E89 Z4 OWNERS HAVE TAKEN THEIR CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT BMW DEALERS IN CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA AND TEXAS AND IN ALL CASES THE BMW MECHANICS FOUND NO REASON FOR THE ENGINE STALL AND DO NOT HAVE A FIX. RANDOM ENGINE STALL WHEN SLOWING IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. I CONSIDER THIS VEHICLE (E89 3.0 AUTOMATIC) TO BE UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE IN HOT WEATHER. SERIOUS INJURY CAN OCCUR IF A CAR RANDOMLY SHUTS ITSELF OFF AS IT IS BEING SLOWED. OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT LEAST 15-20 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10339068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,500 milesProspect, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
CAR IS A NEW (11 /21/09) BMW Z4 WITH LESS THAN 2,000 MILES. WHEN DRIVING IN SUBURBAN TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 45MPH, DRIVER SIGNALED FOR A RIGHT HAND TURN AT AN INTERSECTION WITHOUT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THERE WAS VIRTUALLY NO STOPPING POWER. UNABLE TO SLOW FOR THE RIGHT TURN, DRIVER PROCEEDED TO THE NEXT TURN WHILE APPLYING ALL OF THE PHYSICAL PRESSURE SHE COULD MUSTER, WHICH FINALLY SLOWED THE CAR TOP THE POINT IT COULD BE TURNED AND STOPPED. IF THIS BRAKE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED WHEN THERE WAS STOPPED TRAFFIC, AN ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE CERTAINLY OCCURRED. THE PROBLEM WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE POWER BRAKES HYDRAULIC BOOSTER. ADDITIONALLY, NO WARNING LIGHT EVER CAME ON BEFORE, DURING OR AFTER THE BRAKE FAILURE. THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT THERE ARE WARNING LIGHTS FOR LOW FLUID AND LOW PADS, BUT NOT FOR BOOSTER FAILURE, WHICH IS UNBELIEVABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10312902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.