The most-reported Z4 run is 4USBT33413L (2003 builds) with 29 complaints, 5× the typical run. Steering problems make up 80% of reports; 2003 is the worst model year at 11.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 28 recall campaigns for Z4 model years 2003–2023.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The BMW Z4 has 189 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 11% of every Z4 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4USBT33413L•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 4USBT33554L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33564L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33524L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33453L•••••• | 2003 | 1 | — | |
| 4USBT33423L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33544L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33514L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33584L•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33473L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 4USBT33463L•••••• | 2003 | — | — | |
| 4USBT53423L•••••• | 2003 | — | — |
Each of the other 177 Z4 runs has 19 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 90 Z4 VINs so far, most often 2003, 2025, 2020 builds; 5 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the BMW Z4 the gap between build years is 11.7×: a 2003 car draws 11.7 complaints per run, a 2016 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 5 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 3 | 3 | — | |
| 2010 | 10 | 8 | — | |
| 2009 | 21 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 16 | 11 | — | |
| 2007 | 30 | 24 | 2 | |
| 2006 | 87 | 32 | 1 | |
| 2005 | 168 | 26 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 368 | 43 | 1 | |
| 2003 | 373 | 32 | 4 |
Heaviest year here is 2003 at 11.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2016 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 80% of everything BMW Z4 owners report: Steering, 871 of 1,089 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 7 | 2 | |
| Air Bags | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 4 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Engine | 1 | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Wheels | 1 | — | |
| Structure | 3 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 28 recall campaigns on the BMW Z4; the 6 below cover build years 2006 to 2022. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 22V119000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv) | 2006–2011 |
| 24V608000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:pump | 2012–2016 |
| 17V683000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv) | 2007–2011 |
| 25V636000 | Electrical System:starter Assembly:relay | 2019–2022 |
| 21V598000 | Engine | 2019–2021 |
| 13V454000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum | 2012–2014 |
22V119000 was opened in 2022 on cars built from 2006: 16 years on the road before the recall.
The Z4 against its rivals
The Z4 draws 5.8 complaints per production run; the Nissan 370Z 3.6. That is the highest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW Z4 | 1,089 | 189 | 1.2% | |
| Nissan 370Z | 316 | 89 | 1.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,089 reports on the BMW Z4, 1.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | BMW Z4 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,089 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 13 (1.2%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 7 (0.6%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 79% below the all-vehicle rate.
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
- Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
- The original window sticker and factory options
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The BMW Z4 share of that is 1,089 complaints over 189 runs, 0.1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a BMW Z4 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,089 NHTSA complaints from 189 Z4 runs and 28 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Z4 production run has the most complaints?
4USBT33413L, a 2003 build, with 29 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Z4 run has 5.8.
Which Z4 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2003 is heaviest at 11.7 complaints per run and 2016 lightest at 1.
Does the Z4 get more complaints than the Nissan 370Z?
Yes: 5.8 complaints per production run for the Z4 against 3.6 for the Nissan 370Z.
How many Z4 complaints involve a crash?
1.2% of 1,089 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 7 involved a fire.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.