2011 BMW Z4 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 22%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,005miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the engine of the 2011 BMW Z4, 22% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,005 miles.
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.
“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“My car stalled again on july 26th. In this instance, I was on the freeway driving on the on-ramp between 5-10 MPH. My car stalled completely, however, this time the electrical was still on. I panicked because I was still moving in traffic. Thank god I was able to break in time and restart my car on the first attempt because I could've gotten into an accident very easily with cars directly in front and behind me. I was told at the last service that all recalls were completed on the vehicle. Specifically the battery cable which caused many previous Z4 to stall randomly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10535039, filed 2013-08, 10 miles“We received notice of this recall, and while the Manufacturer administratively states there is no remedy, they then list the remedy quite simply which is to replace the Vanos Bolts. I called around to dealers and other Euroshops and every one of them has the parts to remedy the recall. Because of this it is clear that both the remedy and parts required for this recall is in fact available. …”
NHTSA complaint #11557417, filed 2023-11“The car stalled for the first time. I was driving for about 5 minutes at around 25-35 MPH and made a stop at a traffic light. While at a complete stop, the car engine and all the electrical shut off completely while in gear. I put the car into 'park' then tried to restart. It did not start the engine but the electrical came back on and the yellow check engine light appeared. After two attempts (taking key out, putting key in, and starting the engine), the car starts again and everything went back to normal.”
NHTSA complaint #10535037, filed 2013-08“The contact owns a 2011 Bmw Z4. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer four times but the failure could not be reproduced. The manufacturer was notified but no assistance was given. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 7,005 and the current mileage was 12,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10509245, filed 2013-04, 7,005 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10162421Jul 10, 2019N54, N54T - Catalytic Converter Conversion Faults Stored. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp could come on with one or both of the following faults stored in the DME: * 29F4…
- 10154818Feb 1, 2018N20 AND N26 ENGINES TURBOCHARGER ELECTRIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR LINKAGE PIN CORROSION This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 14 17 dated February 2018.
- 10135019Feb 1, 2018Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an error in the engine oil capacity specification for all vehicles with the N63R engine…
- 10146811Sep 1, 2016"VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN 16E-A04: DME - OBD. The DME software calibration for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on board diagnosis (OBD) may not function correctly…
- 10147017Aug 1, 2016"Delivery Stop: Remove Engine Oil Label. Affected vehicles in dealer inventory must not be retailed or delivered until the label is removed. Vehicles at ports of entry will be…
- 10151300May 1, 2016N51, N52, N52K and N52T Engines: Various Eccentric Shaft Sensor Faults stored in the DME - Diagnostic Hints This Service Information bulletin and attachment supersedes SI B11 06…
- 10150898Jan 1, 2016"SI B01 02 15 January 2016 Warranties This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B01 02 15 dated December 2015. designates changes to this revision SUBJECT N54 Engine Fuel…
- 10147235Sep 1, 2015?N20 and N26 engine: Smoke from Exhaust when Starting a Cold Engine. When starting a cold engine, blue smoke can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately…
- 10151399Aug 1, 2015The plastic oil filter housing may fail and lead to an internal and/or external engine oil or coolant leak.
- 10146944Jul 1, 2015N20 Engine: Repeated Juddering or Surging While Accelerating. The vehicle judders or surges repeatedly while accelerating in hot ambient temperatures between 3,000 RPM and 5,000…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 40% |
| 2019 | 2 | 40% |
| 2015 | 1 | 20% |
| 2012 | 1 | 20% |
| 2011 | 10 | 22% |
| 2010 | 1 | 10% |
| 2009 | 4 | 18% |
| 2008 | 1 | 5% |
| 2007 | 4 | 12% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2011 BMW Z4
13 complaintsEngine cooling
7 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