2011 BMW Z4 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
6 safety recalls list the 2011 BMW Z4, and owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
6 safety recalls for the 2011 BMW Z4
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Engine (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners…
-
Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i…
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of…
-
Crankcase (pcv) (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may…
-
Constant velocity joint (power train)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service…
-
Engine (engine and engine cooling)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles…
-
Cables (electrical system) and 2 other components
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons…
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or…
46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2011 BMW Z4 have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 41,475 miles. Complaints peaked in 2024 with 7 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 ele”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 7, 2026 · Electrical system
“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 s”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 30, 2025 · Steering
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2011 BMW Z4 (Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 sDrive35i, Z4 sDrive35is). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 17–19 / 23–28 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S6); Automatic (S7); Manual 6-spd |
Compare BMW Z4 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW Z4 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 BMW Z4 | 0 | 4 |
| 2003 BMW Z4 | 4 | 414 |
| 2004 BMW Z4 | 1 | 411 |
| 2005 BMW Z4 | 0 | 190 |
| 2006 BMW Z4 | 2 | 91 |
| 2007 BMW Z4 | 2 | 33 |
| 2008 BMW Z4 | 2 | 19 |
| 2009 BMW Z4 | 4 | 22 |
| 2010 BMW Z4 | 5 | 10 |
| 2011 BMW Z4 | 6 | 46 |
| 2012 BMW Z4 | 4 | 5 |
| 2013 BMW Z4 | 3 | 7 |
| 2014 BMW Z4 | 3 | 7 |
| 2015 BMW Z4 | 1 | 5 |
| 2016 BMW Z4 | 1 | 4 |
| 2019 BMW Z4 | 6 | 5 |
| 2020 BMW Z4 | 6 | 5 |
| 2021 BMW Z4 | 5 | 1 |
| 2022 BMW Z4 | 3 | 1 |
| 2023 BMW Z4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 BMW Z4 | 0 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2011 BMW Z4
How do I know if my 2011 BMW Z4 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 2011 BMW Z4; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 13V044000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
- 335I810 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.