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Engine coolingPart report

2011 BMW Z4 Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
15%of 46 total for the year
Median mileage
60,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2011 BMW Z4, 15% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

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 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

“The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. 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 contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000. …”

NHTSA complaint #11588988, filed 2024-05, 68,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact started while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started rough. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #11518258, filed 2023-04, 106,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, he started to smell a burning plastic odor. Additionally, white smoke started coming from the vents. The contact stated that the smoke was not heavy but steady. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11490352, filed 2022-10, 52,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. 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. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11503398, filed 2023-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2015240%
2014229%
2013114%
2012360%
2011715%
2010330%
200915%
2008211%
2007618%
200644%
2003113%

Other parts of the 2011 BMW Z4

Steering
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsWheels
7 complaintsBrakes
5 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 27, 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