2011 BMW Z4 recalls & problems

6 recalls 46 complaints

6recalls
46owner complaints
1crashes reported
0fires reported
0 / 0injuries / deaths

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2011 BMW Z4 and 46 owner complaints. The part owners complain about most is steering (13 reports), followed by engine (10). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers – enter your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your car still has an open recall.

2011 BMW Z4 recalls

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023

Problem: 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.

Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

157,796 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 22V119000 · Mar 2, 2022

Problem: 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,…

Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Fix: 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 charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and…

917,106 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 17V683000 · Oct 30, 2017

Problem: 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.

Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

Fix: 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 contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

740,561 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Power Train · NHTSA 17V067000 · Feb 2, 2017

Problem: 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…

Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 at 1-800-525-7417.

8,752 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA 14V176000 · Apr 10, 2014

Problem: 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,…

Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an…

156,137 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

Electrical System · NHTSA 13V044000 · Feb 7, 2013

Problem: 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…

Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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 email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

516,791 units potentially affected · Full recall details →

2011 BMW Z4 problems by component

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering 13
000
Engine 10
000
Engine and Engine Cooling 7
000
Wheels 7
000
Service Brakes 5
100
Electrical System 3
000
Fuel/Propulsion System 2
000
Power Train 2
000
Suspension 2
100
Tires 2
000
Unknown or Other 2
000
Electronic Stability Control (esc) 1
000
Parking Brake 1
000

Latest owner complaints

Electrical System · Apr 7, 2026 · NC

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…

Steering · Apr 7, 2026 · NC

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…

Electrical System · Apr 30, 2025 · OH

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.

Steering · Apr 30, 2025 · OH

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.

Steering · Mar 24, 2025 · FL

Steering assist failed almost resulting in head on collision. Failure is serious and likely to cause fatalities

Steering · Oct 23, 2024 · KS

Power steering is intermittent where assist goes from working to not working changing the effort required to turn the wheel. When power assist goes off it is difficult to steer the car.

Engine · Oct 9, 2024 · GA

October, 9, 2024 BMW USA Customer Relations, Recall Services Ms. Ikevia, Thank you following up. My 2021 claim regarding the 2011 BMW Z4 Vanos Bolts recall has been pending since April, 2021. My Z4 almost destroyed itself, after having been left off your recall list. December, 2023 BMW USA provided me written notice my VIN had been added to the recall list so I will be…

Steering · Aug 7, 2024 · FL

Electric power assist intermittently fails without warning making steering impossible. Similar to 2012 z4 recall

Engine · Jul 6, 2024 · SC

I have written to you previously to advise of repeated engine issues with my vehicle, a 2011 BMW Z4. I also included invoices of work that was done over time to correct a likely Engineering flaw that caused excessive fuel injector failure. In 2021, there was a 10 year extended warranty to replace them. Prior and after the warranty work, there was almost constant engine…

Engine and Engine Cooling · Jun 12, 2024 · 30,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was difficult to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.…

Engine and Engine Cooling · May 15, 2024 · 68,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle…

Fuel/Propulsion System · May 9, 2024 · SC

Hello, I am writing to you about repeated repairs that I have incurred for my 2011 BMW Z4, VIN [XXX] . On [XXX] 2017, I had a BMW initiated, no cost recall/extended warranty replacement of 6 fuel injectors performed at Hilton Head BMW in Hilton Head, SC. Due to the nature of the work, it was recommended that the 6 spark plugs be replaced, which were not covered under the…

Other BMW Z4 years

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 BMW Z4 have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 2011 BMW Z4, the most recent one (23V707000) for engine and engine cooling. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW Z4?

Based on 46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most reported areas are steering (13), engine (10), engine and engine cooling (7).

Have there been crashes or injuries linked to the 2011 BMW Z4?

Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries and 0 deaths in complaints to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports, not findings of fault.