2021 Bmw Z4 problems, complaints & recalls
🧭 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 (5)
Electrical System:starter Assembly 2026-01-30 · campaign 26V056000 · 87,394 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all models. The engine starter may overheat and catch fire due to wear on an internal component.
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
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.
Seat Belts 2021-07-21 · campaign 21V554000 · 21,537 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i xDrive), M2 Competition Coupe, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, M3, M3 Competition, 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, MINI Hardtop 2 Door (Cooper, CooperS, JCW), X2
Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly 2020-11-12 · campaign 20V700000 · 49 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Z4 and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. The weld between the fuel tank halves may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.
Risk: The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Service bulletins (115)
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.
Structure:body 2025-03-27 · B540225 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
while driving on an uneven road, a “clicking”sound is heard from the front bow/cowl panelarea of the convertible top.
Structure:body 2025-01-13 · B540324 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the convertible top does not open or close.
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
Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Showing the 6 most recent of 115 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-30 · Unknown Or Other“there is a strong chemical smell when the ac is turned on and the system is loosing refrigerant. there is a common issue on these cars of premature evaporative core corrosion.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.