2011 BMW Z4 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 11%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 BMW Z4, 11% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 incident occurred in auburn, ca. We had just finished lunch and were planning to head home. I placed my foot on the brake pedal to start the car and we heard a distinct popping noise. As I engaged the transmission and started to move forward I immediately realized the Bmw had lost its braking ability. I was able to slow the car and re-park the vehicle. We had the vehicle flat bedded back to the dealership in sacramento, ca. …”
NHTSA complaint #10628146, filed 2014-08, 19,600 miles“When exiting a parking lot into a city street, when the brakes where pressed, a loud pop noise was heard, then a hissing noise and the brake pedal sank to the floor. There was no braking power after that and my car rolled into the street out of control, it was a scary situation but no accident or collision ocurred at this time. To stop the car the brake pedal had to be pressed very hard all the way to the floor,there was no leakeage of brake fluid. The Bmw dealership diagnosed a faulty brake booster.”
NHTSA complaint #11083614, filed 2018-04, 62,890 miles“The parking brake failed with an amber indicator showing on the dashboard when starting the car. Had to put the car in gear (6sp) and then get out and chock the wheels in order to keep the vehicle from rolling down hill. Independant repair station informed me there was an error code - 6017 wheel speed sensor dfa_emf in the parking brake module. This error is in fact a bug in the software and required a new verion of code to be loaded at the Bmw dealer for a cost of $430. Bmw has been aware of this problem since at least 2013 and has not issued a notice or recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11187193, filed 2019-03, 67,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw Z4. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently. The contact applied the brakes but the vehicle did not decelerate. The contact maneuvered the vehicle to crash into a curb in order to get it to stop. The contact was not injured. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis but the contact was not informed of what caused the shaking or braking failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 33,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10546719, filed 2013-10, 33,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10150221Aug 1, 2013Brake Fluid Maintenance Service: 36-Month Interval. The CBS displays the first brake fluid service as a 36-month interval from the date of production instead of the appropriate…
- 10150037Jul 1, 2013Brake Fluid Maintenance Service: 36-Month Interval. The coding in these vehicles has the CBS displaying the first brake fluid service as a 36-month interval from the date of…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 40% |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% |
| 2013 | 2 | 29% |
| 2011 | 5 | 11% |
| 2010 | 1 | 10% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW Z4
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 BMW Z4
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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