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BMW Z4Model year report

2009 BMW Z4 Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
17,500miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns 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
22 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 BMW Z4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW Z4. The part named most often is wheels, with 11 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine (4) and electrical system (2). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 94% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 138 technical service bulletins for this model year. Wheels complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 23 technical service bulletins 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

Wheels: “I had two of these rims bend and crack ( model 296) I had the rim and tire warranty that I paid extra for and Bmw covered a replacement for one and paid to have the other straightened.”

NHTSA complaint #10483777, filed 2012-11, 15,000 miles

Engine: “Engine unexpectedly stalled and shutdown while in movement with potential to cause accident. Vehicle cannot be turned on until full stop is achieved and transmission placed in p. Idle engine RPM continues to vary drastically up and down with indication a problem persists and is likely pose the same safety risk. I bought vehicle used on 2012 and had the issue shortly after purchase twice at highway speeds. Dealership took months to apparently resolve. I am back at risk.”

NHTSA complaint #11012694, filed 2017-08, 98,000 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2009 Bmw Z4 convertible. The contact was driving approximately 10-20 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. He was able to immediately restart the vehicle without hesitation. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure would occur intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the computer was replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle would no longer operate following repairs. The vehicle was left with the dealer where the contact was awaiting further diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #10356178, filed 2010-09, 11,200 miles

Seat belts: “The seat belt is fraying at the point where it most commonly rests against the chassis while I am wearing it. It seems to be rubbing against the car causing it to fray. I only noticed it by chance, as it is not a common spot to look at while seated in the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11352592, filed 2020-09, 38,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

94% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 15,000 and 23,000 miles.

13%0–1063%10–2519%25–500%50–756%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 17,500 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.

2010201242014420182024
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.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 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 sDrive30i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual192822$3,750
Z4 sDrive30i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192922$3,750
Z4 sDrive35i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual182520$4,100
Z4 sDrive35i RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic172420$4,100

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 2009 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. 138 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 138 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 2009 BMW Z4 have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW Z4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 BMW Z4 is reported most often?

Wheels is named most often, in 11 complaints (50% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2009 BMW Z4 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW Z4 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 BMW Z4 (Z4 sDrive30i, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 BMW Z4 reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,500 miles and the middle half falls between 15,000 and 23,000 miles; 94% 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. 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.