2003 BMW Z4 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 2%of 414 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 BMW Z4, 2% of the 414 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,800 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.
“When steering sharply or turning the wheel frequently like to parallel park for example, the electrical suddenly completely shuts down in my car. The car's power completely dies and I lose ability to steer. Sometimes this is while making a quick turn with oncoming traffic approaching quickly. I must stop turning, wait for the power to turn back on, and resume driving as soon as possible. This is very dangerous and I am scared to drive my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10553800, filed 2013-11, 109,000 miles“2003 Bmw Z4 3.0 with the smg transmission (w/ sport package). The following instance has happened twice within the current 2,600 miles on the new vehicle. While in the manual mode in the smg transmission and downshifting to first gear (at a 4-way stop intersection), while waiting to accelerate out into the intersection the transmission slipped into netural without myself (driver) knowing, so when it was time to accelerate through the intersection I was very suprised to find I did not move but heard the engine just rev while I stayed put!! …”
NHTSA complaint #10033452, filed 2003-08, 2,300 miles“Traveling between 5-10 MPH, transmission would not shift correctly. Was jumping back and forth between 1st and 2nd gear for about 4 to 5 seconds and never engaging the clutch in either gear. This has happened several times over the past 2 months.”
NHTSA complaint #10037508, filed 2003-09, 4,800 miles“Driving slowly about 10mph and turning, transmission shifted into neutral by itself while shifter shows car was in drive. Transmission is the Bmw smg (sequential manual gearbox).”
NHTSA complaint #10037507, filed 2003-09, 4,800 miles“Dt: the consumer stated 2003 Bmw Z4 shifted to neutral while going approximately 25 MPH, on july 7, 2005. The vehicle was taken to the dealership, and she was told it was fixed. The second time she had been in the vehicle for a while and it happened again on july 18, 2005, while going 65-70 MPH. She contacted a different dealership about this. She has not contacted Bmw. The vehicle will not go back into gear when itshifted to neutral. She pulled over and restart the vehicle. The first time the vehicle would not turn back on for approximately 20 minutes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10129333, filed 2005-07, 20 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10175267Apr 1, 2020Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The "Service Engine Soon" (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This…
- 10040045Apr 1, 2011Bmw: a new technical support process has been created regarding transmission concerns.
- 10036980Jun 1, 2010Bmw: a new technical process is being used on many models to determine the root cause of double-clutch transmission problems.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 BMW Z4
342 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsBody and structure
8 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 29, 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