Car Problem DataNHTSA records

BMW Z4

Owners filed 1,282 complaints across 21 model years of the BMW Z4. The 2003 drew the most (414).

Model years21
Complaints1,282
Recalls60
Fires7
Deaths2

Which BMW Z4 years should you avoid?

Going by 1,282 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the BMW Z4 years to avoid are 2003 and 2004.

  • 2003414 complaints, 2.9× a typical Z4 year, most often about the steering.
  • 2004411 complaints, 2.9× a typical Z4 year, most often about the steering.

Too new to judge: 2025. Complaints take a few years to arrive, so a new model year looks better than it is.

How this is worked out: each year is compared with a typical year of the same model, which takes most of the difference in sales out of it, and its share of serious failures is compared with every other car of the same model year, because older cars were complained about differently. A year needs 25 complaints to be judged at all. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Full method →

Every BMW Z4 model year compared

Complaints per year
YearComplaintsRelative volumeRecallsFiresCrashesMost reportedStatus
2025Too new1
0——EngineRoutine
20230
2———Routine
20221
3——VisibilityRoutine
20211
5——Unknown or OtherRoutine
20205
6—1SteeringRoutine
20195
6—1EngineRoutine
20164
1—1Seat BeltsRoutine
20155
1——Engine and Engine CoolingRoutine
20147
3—1Electrical SystemRoutine
20137
3—2Electrical SystemRoutine
20125
4——Engine and Engine CoolingRoutine
201146
6—1SteeringRoutine
201010
5——Engine and Engine CoolingRoutine
200922
4—1WheelsRoutine
200819
2——Air BagsRoutine
200733
223SteeringFatalities reported
200691
231SteeringFatalities reported
2005191
0—2SteeringRoutine
2004Avoid411
121SteeringAbove average
2003Avoid414
4—5SteeringAbove average
20024
0——SteeringRoutine

Data: NHTSA complaint and recall files, October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports.