2019 Bmw Z4 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (2) · Structure:body (1) · Steering (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw Z4 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (6)
Electrical System:starter Assembly:relay 2025-09-23 · campaign 25V636000 · 199,674 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
Engine 2021-08-02 · campaign 21V598000 · 50,024 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2020-08-27 · campaign 20V516000 · 4,265 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlamps are able to be adjusted horizontally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Should the headlamps be adjusted horizontally, there could be increased glare and reduced visibility for oncoming drivers, or reduced visibility for the vehicle operator, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp vertical and horizontal adjustment plugs, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. BMW owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly 2020-06-15 · campaign 20V355000 · 2,779 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019 Z4 sDrive30i, 2019-2020 330i xDrive, M340i and M340i xDrive, 2020 X3M and X4M, and Toyota Supra vehicles. In certain driving conditions, such as high temperatures and rough road surfaces, a steering gear tie rod may become damaged, possibly resulting in a fractured tie rod.
Risk: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Engine 2019-10-15 · campaign 19V732000 · 217 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 330i, 330i xDrive, and 2019 Z4 vehicles. The needle roller bearings of the counterbalance shafts may have been improperly installed, potentially causing the counterbalance shaft to loosen.
Risk: If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2019-09-27 · campaign 19V684000 · 257,473 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Service bulletins (242)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-05-06 · B010324 · Warranty Program/Extension
the evap systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
Suspension 2026-02-05 · InVeh-InApp-Comm · Over The Air
it was found that the rubber mounts of the wishbone or the tension strut were not correctly pressed in due to a manufacturing fault at the supplier's end. this can lead to an acoustic abnormality in the vehicle.
Structure:body 2025-01-13 · B540324 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the convertible top does not open or close.
Engine 2024-09-12 · B010324 · Warranty Program/Extension
for this vehicle, the evap systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. this coverage is subject to the same vehicle eligibility requirements, limitations, and exclus
Engine 2024-05-02 · B010324 · Warranty Program/Extension
evap system purge (vent) valve ext ltd wty (elw) 15/150
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 2024-02-16 · B640422 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
an interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in thecenter of the instrument panel. the groaning noise always occurs when either a ventilation flap, air stratification flap or the recirculated airflap moves to a different position. due to the
Showing the 6 most recent of 242 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-11-26 · Electrical System“the contact owns a 2019 bmw z4. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 25v636000 (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 dealer was contacted. the manufacturer was not made aware o…”
2024-07-05 · Steering“reporting premature part fail. -the 2019 bmw has 14,300 miles. the vehicle recently failed vt state inspection for "play in control arm ball joints" normal ball joint replacement is usually in the 60,000 mile range. the 1st recommended check of steering components per bmw service manual is is "6th engine oil service (approx 60,000 miles)". there …”
2024-04-29 · Engine“my grill shutters are faulty and the problem has been persistent and the vehicle is only at 30,000 miles. this is the same part that was issued an extended service contract by bmw for various other models. i believe my model is rare enough to not be included but it should. the existing recall/warranty is “sib 01 12 19 front grille upper/lower activ…”
2021-11-19 · Structure:body · 💥 crash“the automatic emergency did not engage the brakes as described to by the dealer, bmw genius and the bmw website. the car was in a collision at low speed (under 35mph) with the car in front of me which put me at risk. bmw sent an engineer from n.j. to inspect the car. the is under warranty and it was in perfect working order. the engineer determined…”
2020-01-22 · Engine · 200 mi“my new car check engine light goes on and i have bought it into service appox 5 times. the light goes off and when i get it home it goes on again when i start the car. i thought it was fixed. however it came on again and i am afraid to drive it.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.