74 of the
1,444 complaints filed about the BMW Z4
are about the electrical system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
The engine starter failed on my 2020 BMW Z4 M40i. The vehicle experienced starting failures and the repair shop diagnosed a faulty/shorted engine starter assembly. The symptoms and component failure match the exact defect description of active safety recalls NHTSA 24V-576 and 25V-636 (Starter Motor Fire Risk due to electrical short circuit/overheating). However, when checking my specific 17-digit VIN, the manufacturer has excluded my vehicle from the recall population. Because this is an identical component failure that poses a severe vehicle fire and safety hazard, I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate a recall expansion to include my vehicle's production batch. I have retained the diagnostic reports and repair invoices as evidence.
NHTSA complaint #11751896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 3 APRIL 2026 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 BMW Z4 SDRIVE 30I E89 N52K (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THAT HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT, SUDDENLY A STEERING ASSISTANCE MALFUNCTION TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED AND I LOST ALL ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!! THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL RETURNED. ON APRIL 4 I LOST THE STEERING CONTROL AGAIN AND TOOK IT TO A BMW REPAIR SHOP. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL). UPON INVESTIGATION, A SPECIFIC RECALL EXISTS FOR 2012 BMW Z4 REGARDING THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM. (NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #12V302000: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.) THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTES THAT, AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THE EPS MODULE MAY FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THAT CASE, THE WARNING SYMBOL IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL NO LONGER APPEAR, AND THE AUDIBLE WARNING WILL NOT ACTIVATE. HOWEVER THE CONDITION MAY OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING WITH MY CAR AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. THE CAMPAIGN COVERS 2012 Z4'S AND COVERED SOME CARS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 2011. HOWEVER, THE VIN FOR MY 2011 BMW Z4 SDRIVE 30I E89 N52K (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) IS WBALM5C58BE162421 AND IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 04/2010. THE EPS IN MY 2011 BMW Z4 IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE EPS THAT IS COVERED IN THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #12V302000: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.) CLEARLY MY 2011 BMW Z4 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WHICH REQUIRES A 4 HR REPAIR BY A CERTIFIED BMW DEALER AND REPLACEMENT OF THE EPS UNIT. FOR Z4 MODELS THE TECHNICIANS ARE TO REFER TO REPAIR INSTRUCTION 32 13 370, "REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) ELECTRIC STEERING BOX (EPS)." E89 STEERING GEAR PART # 32 10 6 855 888. PLUS FOLLOWING PARTS: ASA BOLT (#32 10 6 773 068); HEX NUT (#33 32 6 768 884); TORX BOLT (#32 30 6 778 609); COMBINATION NUT (#33 30 6 787 062). ALL ABOVE REFERENCED PARTS WERE LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. !
NHTSA complaint #11729687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Engine starter safety recall came out in September 2025, with no remedy or parts existing for fixing it. 5 months later, and no timeframe is provided for a remedy. This is a major fire risk given the amount of rain now that could corrode the starter and lead to a fire.
NHTSA complaint #11719116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11701698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2015 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11666290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Electrical power steering system failed, warning light came on. Vehicle suddenly became very difficult to impossible to steer. Failed to negotiate a turn and nearly hit a tree. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.
NHTSA complaint #11658036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2015 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 not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11647400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I got my car serviced at BMW of Tucson in 2022 and they ruined the electrical in my car. Additionally, they might have created another key. I also noticed that my software was downgraded by them and the alarm stopped working correctly.
NHTSA complaint #11645390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11643614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 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 not 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 #11641959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2012 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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11638768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 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. No further information was available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11622449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2013 BMW Z4. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, the vehicle failed to reverse without warning upon depression of the accelerator pedal while in the reverse(R) position. The contact stated that the vehicle resumed normal operation upon restart of the engine. A few days later while the contact's husband was driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle continued to accelerate upon depression of the brake pedal. The brake pedal was depressed multiple times but to no avail, as a result, the contact's husband crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not upon impact and no injuries were reported. A police report was not filed. Despite the failure, the vehicle was able driven to the contact's home but was later towed to a dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that the manufacturer would be sending an investigator to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer later informed the contact that no fault codes were found on the vehicle; the contact disputed the investigator's finding. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 52,954
NHTSA complaint #11582362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have just found out that my 2006 BMW Z4 Convertible has serious wiring issues. The wires for example on my front headlights the insulation is falling off the and leaving bare wires. I am very concerned this could be a fire safety issue that could result in bare electrical wires shorting together and starting a car fire. My research shows that many people who have 2006 BMW Z4 Convertibles are having this same issue. This seems to be a real issue with BMW using cheap wiring harnesses material and over time due heat and cooling is cause the insulation to fail and resulting in this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11542405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V099000 (Visibility, Electrical System) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and advised the contact to locate parts near to his residence. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11520301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REOCCURING ISSUE: -DOOR LOCKS NOT FUNCTIONING BY REMOTE OR CENTRAL BUTTON -WIPERS NOT FUNCTIONING -TRUNK RELEASE NOT FUNCTIONING BY REMOTE OR BUTTON -WINDOWS NOT FUNCTIONING -LIGHTING OF INTERIOR NOT WORKING, TO INCLUDE GAUGE CLUSTER -TOP NOT FUNCTIONING ISSUES INTENSIFY ON DAYS OF LOW/HIGHER TEMPERATURES. SEEMS TO RESET BY DISCONNECTING BATTERY AND RECONNECTING AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. ISSUES POINTS TO GM5 MODULE BEING FAULTY/FAILING THIS IS NOT DISCOVERED UNTIL YOU START THE CAR, SEEMS TO BE A RANDOM OCCURRENCE, BUT HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY. SOMETIMES IT IS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.
NHTSA complaint #11341390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.