2003 BMW Z4 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 3%of 414 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 BMW Z4, 3% of the 414 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The power steering assist has failed on the car making it very difficult to steer. Luckily it failed while on a straight part of an interstate as my daughter was driving the car and this severely frightened her. She did not overreact and we took appropriate measures to get the vehicle home. Online research indicates that this issue was being investigated by NHTSA in 2010 but can not find any indication that an actual recall is in place. This is a very dangerous thing to happen, especially in a state with a lot of winding roads (tennessee). …”
NHTSA complaint #10445000, filed 2012-01, 81,000 miles“Driving on the interstate in my june 2003 production Bmw Z4 3.0i roadster. The car suddenly dies at 65 MPH. The eml light comes on, brake lights come on, RPM needle surges, throttle is unresponsive, and the foot brakes are frozen and cannot be depressed. I was barely able to swerve off the interstate, across the service road, and into a parking lot where I had to use the hand brakes to get the car to stop completely.”
NHTSA complaint #10033253, filed 2003-08, 4,800 miles“2003 Bmw, Z4-car started fine, then it shut off, tried to restart and wouldn't. Had vehicle towed, they told me there was a defect in the head gasket of the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10384169, filed 2011-02, 87,000 miles“2003 Bmw z-4 computer glitch that caused the engine malfunction light to come on unexpectedly and kill the engine RPM's creatting a very dangerous and potentially lethal situations for drivers and passengers.”
NHTSA complaint #10066211, filed 2004-04, 7,370 miles“The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the coolant warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that she noticed smoke underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed a leak on the ground located near the rear passenger’s side tire. Additionally, the contact then stated that while operating the convertible drop top, she heard an abnormal sound in the motor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11523426, filed 2023-05, 64,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037700Jan 1, 2011Bmw: there may be excessive cranking before the vehicle starts. The service engine soon light may also be on with a lack of engine power.
- 10037010Jul 1, 2010Bmw: six different models equipped with the m54 engine could have valve covers break in cold weather and ruin the engine. This is due to moisture accumulation.
- 10025701Jul 1, 2010N54-diagnosis for dme fc 29dc/2fbf for models e90, e92 produced from 06/06 and e93, e60, e61 produced from 03/07. *pe updated 7/8/09. *pe models e82, e88 produced from start 2000…
- 10037702Jun 1, 2010Bmw: when at lower speeds or stopping the engine idle dips too low because of a software problem.
- 10032814Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: s54-catalyst protection mode while the vehicle is low on fuel. Complaints that the vehicle has no power during heavy acceleration. Fuel reserve light is illuminated…
- 10032812Nov 1, 2007Bmw vehicle: m54/m56-mixture too lean-fault codes 2882/2883 are stored in the dme. Complaints that service engine soon light is illuminated. The fault codes 2882/2883-fuel trim…
- 10012782Feb 1, 2004Retrofit the power supply cable for the thermal oil level sensor.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 40% |
| 2014 | 2 | 29% |
| 2013 | 1 | 14% |
| 2012 | 3 | 60% |
| 2011 | 7 | 15% |
| 2010 | 3 | 30% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 11% |
| 2007 | 6 | 18% |
| 2006 | 4 | 4% |
| 2003 | 11 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 BMW Z4
342 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 BMW Z4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology