Owners have filed 10 complaints
about the 2014 BMW Z4 with NHTSA between 2015 and 2025.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 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 — 52
10% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
71% 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 2014 BMW Z4
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Electrical System
330.0%
Median failure at 68,772 miles
Engine & Cooling
220.0%
Median failure at 26,000 miles
Wheels
110.0%
Median failure at 30,000 miles
Tires
110.0%
Fuel & Propulsion
110.0%
Median failure at 11,225 miles
Brakes
110.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 25,000 mi
Airbags
110.0%
Median failure at 111,544 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
114.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
457.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
228.6%
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.
Jul 2015peak 2Aug 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2014 BMW Z4
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE13030Opened 6 Sep 2013Closed 25 Oct 2013SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
Loss of power assist braking
In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles equipped with 4-cylinder engines (NHTSA Recall 13V-454).According to BMW, movement of the seal disk within the camshaft may result in blocking of the oil supply to the vacuum pump, resulting in improper pump operation and loss of power assist braking.On July 11, 2013, BMW initiated a change to the ca...
Recalls on the 2014 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 202446878,381 units in Canada
Engine
Issue: On certain vehicles, fluid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could leak on the intake air hose. As a result, the fluid could enter the electrical connector for the water pump and cause a short circuit. Safety Risk: A short circuit can create the risk of a fire, even while the vehicle is parked and turned off. Corrective Actions: To reduce the safety risk, BMW advises you to park your vehicle outdoors and away from other vehicles or structures until the recall repairs are completed. BMW will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the water pump and electrical connector. The dealer will also install a shield on the connector.
Recall 20144351,279 units in Canada
Powertrain
On certain vehicles, a defect in manufacturing could result in a loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail, causing a loss of power assist to the braking system. This could cause increased stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install a camshaft seal disk locking ring. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2013-330.
Recall 20133309,406 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain vehicles, a defect in manufacturing could result in a loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail, causing a loss of power assist to the braking system. This could cause increased stopping distances, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will install a camshaft seal disk locking ring.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 25,000 milesLongport, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE PARKING IN PARKING LOT, DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. CONTINUED TO BRAKE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING UNTIL I HIT A POLE.
NHTSA complaint #11014613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 111,544 milesSanta Margarita, CA
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2014 BMW Z4. The contact stated that rodents had chewed through some electrical wiring in the vehicle. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to monitor the oil levels due to the damaged electrical wiring. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, where it was determined that the electrical wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact was informed about other methods to deter the varmints from chewing on the electrical wiring. The contact called an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure had occurred on several types of vehicles. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 111,544.
NHTSA complaint #11681645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,544 milesSanta Margarita, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 BMW Z4. The contact stated that rodents had chewed through some electrical wiring in the vehicle. The air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to monitor the oil levels due to the damaged electrical wiring. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions, where it was determined that the electrical wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The contact was informed about other methods to deter the varmints from chewing on the electrical wiring. The contact called an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure had occurred on several types of vehicles. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 111,544.
NHTSA complaint #11681645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethany Beach, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11654902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethany Beach, DE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11654902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesGarden City, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted to schedule a diagnostic test; however, the appointment was not scheduled because parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11643873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 26,000 milesGarden City, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, there was smoke entering the cabin of the vehicle through the A/C vents. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted to schedule a diagnostic test; however, the appointment was not scheduled because parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11643873 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
TIRES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW Z4 EQUIPPED WITH UNIROYAL SENTRY TIRES, SIZE: 225/45R17 (NA). WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE NOTICED A NAIL LODGED IN THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS TORN FROM THE INSIDE AND THE NAIL LODGED IN THE TIRE WAS KEEPING THE TIRE TOGETHER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER, VEHICLE MILEAGE, AND TIRE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11104276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,225 milesGardendale, AL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TWO IN TANK FUEL PUMP REPLACED--FIRST ONE AT 11,225 MILES-- SECOND FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT 23,385 MILES---FUEL PUMP IS MAKING NOISE & HARD TO START--ENGINE WILL QUIT IN TOWN OR HIGHWAY. BMW SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON FUEL PUMP. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS Z4 BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE QUITING !
NHTSA complaint #11063846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesLongport, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE PARKING IN PARKING LOT, DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED. CONTINUED TO BRAKE AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING UNTIL I HIT A POLE.
NHTSA complaint #11014613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesFrankfort, IN
WHEELS
THE TIRE ON MY Z4 RUB THE INSIDE WHEEL WELL CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. WHEN I TOOK THE WHEEL TO BE REPAIRED, THE MANAGER OF THE TIRE COMPANY SAID THIS WAS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT HE IS SEEING ON MOST OF THE Z4'S. HE SAID IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AS THE CAMBER CAN'T BE ADJUSTED OUT FAR ENOUGH TO STOP THIS RUBBING. I CONTACT BMW BUT THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT; THAT I PROBABLY HIT TOO MANY POT HOLES, I DROVE TOO FAST, I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WOULD HAPPEN SINCE IT IS A SPORTS CAR. THEY ALSO SAID I SHOULD HAVE HAD THE CAR REALIGNED EVERY YEAR. NO WHERE IN MY MANUAL DOES IT TELL ME THIS. IT COST ME OVER THOUSAND DOLLARS TO GET MY TIRES FIXED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BUT NO ONE WILL LISTEN NOR DO A THING ABOUT THIS. ALL I GOT FROM THE LADY IN SPARTENSBURG, THE HOME OFFICE, WAS I'M SORRY, YOU COULD SELL YOUR CAR! MY CAR ONLY HAS THIRY THOUSAND MILES ON IT, NOW I WILL HAVE TO FACE THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN. WHY WOULD ANY MANUFACTURER PRODUCE A VEHICLE THAT THE TIRES ARE TOO BIG TO FIT PROPERLY INSIDE THE WHEEL WELLS? SAFETY IS MY CONCERN, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE IT IN WRITING WHERE THE MANAGER SAID IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10743569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.