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BMW Z4Model year report

2008 BMW Z4 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 18 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 BMW Z4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW Z4. The part named most often is air bags, with 8 complaints (42% of the total), followed by steering (5) and electrical system (2). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 23% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,000 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 34 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Air bags: “Dashboard airbag warning light came on - obd scan indicates the passenger seat oc3 airbag sensor mat has failed. I believe this means the vehicle can no longer detect if there is a child in the passenger seat, and will deploy airbags regardless of passenger weight. Bmw has a service bulletin for many other models and years (including my Z4 model - but not yet for my 2008 model year).”

NHTSA complaint #11268089, filed 2019-10, 80,000 miles

Steering: “After starting up the car (but during ignition, the key slipped in my fingers causing a missed start, I therefore had to turn the key again to get engine to turn over.) and driving from my driveway, there was a complete failure of the steering assist which caused extremely difficult steering/cornering. I pulled over, thinking it had to do with the missed start, turned off the engine and restarted it; still no power assist. Took it to the dealer, they were able to do a computer reset which restored power assist, but told me they could not say if or when it would happen again. …”

NHTSA complaint #10525558, filed 2013-07, 27,899 miles

Engine cooling: “The contact owns a 2008 Bmw Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the recall parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Vin tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11109664, filed 2018-07

Mileage when problems were reported

23% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 52,010 and 75,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2523%25–5046%50–7531%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2011201320164201920212025
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 BMW Z4. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Z4 · C RWDnot rated4 / 4———
Z4 · coupe RWDnot rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 BMW Z4 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Z4 3.0i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192822$3,750
Z4 3.0i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual182821$3,900
Z4 3.0si RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192822$3,750
Z4 3.0si RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual182821$3,900
Z4 Coupe RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192822$3,750
Z4 Coupe RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual182821$3,900
Z4 M Coupe RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual152318$4,550
Z4 M Roadster RWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed manual152318$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2008 BMW Z4 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 34 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 34 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW Z4

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202053,0006—27—Not enough data
201952006—28—Not enough data
2015511,2121—26—Not enough data
2014726,0003—21—Not enough data
2013738,6503—21—Not enough data
2012565,9004—21—Not enough data
20114636,0006—21Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2010108,0665—22—Not enough data
20092217,5004—22—Falling
20081960,0002—21—Falling
20073347,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20069154,0002—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200519146,5000—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200441147,0001—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200341441,5754—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All BMW Z4 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 BMW Z4 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2008 BMW Z4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 BMW Z4 is reported most often?

Air bags is named most often, in 8 complaints (42% of the total), followed by steering with 5.

Has the 2008 BMW Z4 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 BMW Z4 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 BMW Z4 (Z4 3.0i, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 BMW Z4 reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,000 miles and the middle half falls between 52,010 and 75,000 miles; 23% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.