2012 BMW Z4 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 BMW Z4.

20112013
Complaints
7
per 10K Sold
23.4
US Sales
2,996
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Fatalities
—
Recalls
4

Worst 2012 BMW Z4 Problems

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

#13 complaints

Engine & Cooling

#22 complaints

Electrical Faults

#31 complaints

Engine Problems

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 BMW Z4.

Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 BMW Z4. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2012 BMW Z4

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~806,137 vehicles.

24V608000Electrical System:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump
~720,796 affected

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

14V627000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
~8,988 affected

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.

13V454000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum
~76,191 affected

BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

12V302000Steering:electric Power Assist System
~162 affected

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 1-SERIES ACTIVE E AND MODEL YEAR 2012 Z4 VEHICLES. VARIATIONS IN ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, LEADING TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.

Other BMW Z4 Years

200220032004200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016201920202022

2012 BMW Z4 — FAQ

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

Is the 2012 BMW Z4 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2012 BMW Z4 has 7 NHTSA complaints, 0 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine & Cooling with 3 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 BMW Z4?
Top reported problems: Engine & Cooling (3 complaints); Electrical Faults (2 complaints); Engine Problems (1 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
Does the 2012 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 806,137 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 2012 BMW Z4?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

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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