2011 BMW Z4 Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 BMW Z4.

20102012
Complaints
57
per 10K Sold
163.8
US Sales
3,479
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2011 BMW Z4 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#112 complaints

Steering Defects

Avg mileage:47,850 mi
#210 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:5,003 mi
#37 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:51,200 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 BMW Z4.

Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
47,850
Engine Problems
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
5,003
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
51,200
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
37,405
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
43,698
Electrical Faults
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering:Electric Power Assist System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 BMW Z4. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2011 BMW Z4

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,497,143 vehicles.

23V707000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~157,796 affected

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 camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

22V119000Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
~917,106 affected

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 xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

17V683000Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)
~740,561 affected

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.

17V067000Power Train:driveline:constant Velocity Joint
~8,752 affected

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 driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

14V176000Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
~156,137 affected

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 Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

13V044000Wiring & Fuses · Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables · Electrical System
~516,791 affected

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 manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Other BMW Z4 Years

2011 BMW Z4 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 BMW Z4 reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 BMW Z4 has 57 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Steering Defects with 12 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 BMW Z4?
Top reported problems: Steering Defects (12 complaints, avg 47,850 mi); Engine Problems (10 complaints, avg 5,003 mi); Engine & Cooling (7 complaints, avg 51,200 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 BMW Z4?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 35,682 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 BMW Z4?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 BMW Z4 include 2 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,497,143 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2011 BMW Z4?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full BMW Z4 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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