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BMW Z4Model year report

2011 BMW Z4 Problems

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
36,000miles, 29 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.0L 6-cyl RWD · 19 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 BMW Z4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW Z4. The part named most often is steering, with 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine (10) and engine cooling (7). 29 of the complaints include a mileage, and 66% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 36,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 133 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

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.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (2), Electronic stability control (1).

Example complaints

Steering: “Electric power steering failed. Steering system failure warning light came on. The steering wheel began to shake, and the steering wheel would turn a few degrees with power assistance and as I continued to turn the wheel power assist went away requiring excessive effort to turn. This first appeared on start up as I was driving out of my driveway.”

NHTSA complaint #10919839, filed 2016-10, 32,000 miles

Engine: “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 the third incident and provided them the footage. Bmw USA did a visual inspection and claimed that my after-market LED light bulb in my daytime running lights was the cause of my stalling without providing any documentation or testing. …”

NHTSA complaint #10565543, filed 2014-02, 12,997 miles

Engine cooling: “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 repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11593843, filed 2024-06, 30,000 miles

Wheels: “I've noticed that my rear passenger tire was losing pressure even after inflating it multiple times so I brought the car into Bmw of murrieta to get the wheels inspected. It was verified by their technicians that both rear rims were cracked and that it would cost and estimate of nearly $1,800 to replace. I denied the repair/replacement as I didn't believe I should pay out of pocket for what I believe is a manufacturer defect. …”

NHTSA complaint #10920366, filed 2016-10, 77,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

66% of the 29 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,600 and 67,000 miles.

17%0–1010%10–2538%25–5021%50–7510%75–1003%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (29 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 36,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

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

’12’14’16’18’20’22’247’26
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 2011 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 automatic182822$3,750
Z4 sDrive35i RWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual192621$3,900
Z4 sDrive35i RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic172319$4,350
Z4 sDrive35is RWD3.0L 6-cyl7-speed automatic172319$4,350

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 2011 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. 133 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 133 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 2011 BMW Z4 have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2011 BMW Z4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 BMW Z4 is reported most often?

Steering is named most often, in 13 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine with 10.

Has the 2011 BMW Z4 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2011 BMW Z4 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 BMW Z4 (Z4 sDrive35i, 3.0L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 26 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 2011 BMW Z4 reported?

Among the 29 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 36,000 miles and the middle half falls between 19,600 and 67,000 miles; 66% 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.