KnownCarProblems2011 BMW Z4 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 BMW Z4, most often about the engine (37% of complaints, typically around 30,000 miles). It is 5th of 20 Z4 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2011 BMW Z4 problems
Engine
17 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
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…
My BMW Z4 2011 stalled for the third time. This happened in a parking lot as my car was slowing down. The engine shut down completely and I had no power steering. I took my vehicle into the dealership the next day for service and contacted BMW USA. I purchased and installed a dash camera and captured the stalling on…
Steering
13 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 45,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
Electronic power steering has intermittent faults/errors due to a manufacturing defect, resulting in complete loss of power steering. BMW acknowledged this issue and did a recall in 2012 for 2012 model year Z4's - NHTSA campaign id number: 12v302000. The scope of the problem is well beyond the 162 vehicles that were…
Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles and already having steering malfunction alerts. Steering randomly stops working and unable to turn vehicle.
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 27,500 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
Blow out at 70 MPH, replaced rear passenger tire at BMW with same run flats. Next day flat, returned to dealership where they said I had 2 hairline cracks in same wheel, which needed replacement. I noticed a ton of complaints and similar problems with these 296 style 19 inch rims.
This problem affects wheel style "296" a 19" optional alloy wheel package for e89 BMW Z4. BMW part number 36116785257(rear wheel 19x9) and 36116785256(front wheel 19x8. Under normal driving conditions, multiple cracks developed on inner edge of rim lip leading to large drop in tire pressure and potentially unsafe…
Brakes
5 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. While driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but it failed to stop the vehicle. The emergency brake was engaged in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to BMW of asheville (649 new airport rd, fletcher, nc 28732, ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that the brake…
The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not decelerate. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to crash into a curb in order to get it to stop. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was towed…
Electrical
3 complaints · 7%On 01/05/2012, BMW service center replaced an idrive part and reprogrammed the car. When I picked up the car, I noticed AC is not working. Service center took it back and did a master reset. After that several times I had the issue and they couldn't fix it. On 07/15/2013, I noticed the AC is not working. It was 85f…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 BMW Z4 recalls
Engine
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
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 19v-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on april 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on july 22,
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: constant velocity joint
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
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 extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on september 24, 2014. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers
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 [email protected].
Full defect summary
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 break
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2011 BMW Z4
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 BMW Z4?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (17 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles); steering (13 complaints, typically around 45,500 miles); wheels and tires (8 complaints, typically around 27,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 BMW Z4 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 20, 2023 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the BMW Z4?
- It is 5th of 20 Z4 model years by number of complaints, with 46 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.