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BMW Z4Model year report

2012 BMW Z4 Problems

Complaints
5filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
65,900miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
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 2012 BMW Z4 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW Z4. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and engine (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,900 miles. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 141 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the pump and 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 44 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

Engine cooling: “The contact's wife owns a 2012 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the vehicle overheated and started decelerating independently. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle failed to respond. The warning message Engine Overheat; Pull Over and Turn Off Vehicle was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle was still overheating. …”

NHTSA complaint #11461364, filed 2022-04, 111,164 miles

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2012 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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 contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11638768, filed 2025-01

Engine: “Noticed whining noise from engine although it drives normally. Bmw dealer confirms timing chain needs replacement. My car is at 8 years, 66k miles - just over the 7/70 warranty extension for timing chain. I understand there is a class action lawsuit still pending on this known issue. It has been dealership serviced since it was purchased with full records.”

NHTSA complaint #11350908, filed 2020-08, 65,900 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2012 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and turning to the left, the steering wheel seized, and the contact had to use force to return the steering wheel back to center. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds while turning left or right. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while the steering wheel was turned to the left or right. The vehicle regained normal steering functionality when the vehicle was stopped and turned off and restarted. The contact stated the steering wheel warning light was illuminated. …”

NHTSA complaint #11630547, filed 2024-12, 16,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 16,000 and 111,164 miles.

0%0–1033%10–250%25–5033%50–750%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 65,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20202022202420252
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 2012 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 sDrive28i RWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual233427$3,050
Z4 sDrive28i RWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic223226$3,150
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 2012 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. 141 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 141 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 2012 BMW Z4 have?

NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 2012 BMW Z4 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 BMW Z4 is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2012 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 2012 BMW Z4 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 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 2012 BMW Z4 reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,900 miles and the middle half falls between 16,000 and 111,164 miles; 33% 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.