2008 BMW Z4

19 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Aug 25, 2025Failure Mar 1, 2025Park City, UTService brakes

   This complaint is regarding a large number of 2008 BMW cars exhibiting the ABS failure light. Mine is a Z4 with @ 65K miles and was diagnosed by a certified mechanic as the ABS module failure - a high ($3000-$4000) cost repair. If you use this search term - "how common is bmw 2008 ABS module failure?", you will see that a multitude of cars from 2008 (and in other years and models using the same module) are affected by and exhibit this dangerous issue. What has to happen for BMW to be forced to repairing this chronic, safety-compromising, and widespread issue? This is not something that happens to other cars as a result of age. This is a design flaw that directly affects safety. Now I would like to sell the car, but I can't afford to fix it and, in good conscience, I cannot sell it if it is dangerous.

   NHTSA complaint 11682989
2. Filed Oct 4, 2022Failure Oct 4, 2022Cumming, GAEngine and engine cooling

   The contact owns a 2008 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 local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 11487839
3. Filed Apr 28, 2021Failure Apr 28, 202175,000 milesPanama City, FLVehicle speed control

   IDLING IN GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AT A DRIVE THRU. CAR SUDDENLY TRIED TO ACCELERATE. PUT CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE TO MAX RPMS. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AT THE IGNITION. RESTARTED ENGINE AND IDLED NORMALLY.

   NHTSA complaint 11414264
4. Filed Mar 9, 2020Failure Oct 30, 201960,000 milesLawrence, MAAir bags

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11316959
5. Filed Nov 26, 2019Failure Nov 24, 2019Gilbert, AZAir bags, Occupant classification, Seats

   RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 BMW Z4. AFTER A WEEK OF OWNERSHIP THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. FAULT CODE POINTS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR OC3. BMW ISSUED A 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO MANY BMW MODELS INCLUDING THE 2006 AND 2007 Z4 WITH COMFORT SEATS, BUT NOT TO THE 2008 MODEL. THIS REPAIR COSTS UPWARDS OF $1500 AND IS SAFETY RELATED. BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COVER ALL AFFECTED MODELS!

   NHTSA complaint 11282391
6. Filed Oct 25, 2019Failure Jul 1, 2019Dunkirk, NYFront passenger, Air bags, Occupant classification

   THE AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON DASH APPEARED AND STAYED ON,ALSO PASSENGER YELLOW AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON .TOOK TO BMW DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST AROUND 1,600.00 . ERROR CODE 93C3 THEY INFORMED ME WITH THIS PROBLEM I DO NOT HAVE ANY AIRBAG PROTECTION . THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE REPAIRED OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS MODEL . WHY ?

   NHTSA complaint 11271045
7. Filed Oct 12, 2019Failure Aug 4, 201880,000 milesPlano, TXOccupant classification, Air bags

   DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON - OBD SCAN INDICATES THE PASSENGER SEAT OC3 AIRBAG SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED. I BELIEVE THIS MEANS THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER DETECT IF THERE IS A CHILD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND WILL DEPLOY AIRBAGS REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER WEIGHT. BMW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR MANY OTHER MODELS AND YEARS (INCLUDING MY Z4 MODEL - BUT NOT YET FOR MY 2008 MODEL YEAR).

   NHTSA complaint 11268089
8. Filed Jul 5, 2018Failure Jul 5, 2018Columbia, TNCrankcase (pcv)

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT

   NHTSA complaint 11109664
9. Filed Apr 24, 2018Failure Aug 1, 201655,920 milesLakeland, FLAir bags, Occupant classification

   A FAILED FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT CAUSES THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG 'ON-OFF' LAMP TO BE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN AUGUST 13, 2008, BMW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. MY SIMILARLY AFFECTED 2008 VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL ALSO STATES THAT IN THIS SITUATION, BMW RECOMMENDS CUSTOMERS NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, I WAS ADVISED OF A $152 SHOP DIAGNOSIS FEE AND A LIKELY REPAIR COST OF $1800. THIS IS A PROHIBITIVE COST FOR A FACTORY DEFECT ON A 73 YEAR OLD SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY.

   NHTSA complaint 11089840
10. Filed Jan 26, 2018Failure Oct 1, 2017Greenbrae, CAEngine

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

    NHTSA complaint 11065047
11. Filed Dec 12, 2016Failure Aug 1, 201655,800 milesLakeland, FLAir bags

    'THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER IN OCTOBER 2012, WITH ABOUT 30600 MILES;, CURRENT MILEAGE IS ABOUT 57400. THE AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED ACTING UP SEVERAL MONTHS AGO; NOW IT IS ON AT ALL TIMES, WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. A SCAN OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR / MAT. RESETTING THE LIGHT WITH THE SCAN TOOL DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MANY 2008 BMW MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT NOT THE Z4, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE. THE LOCAL BMW DEALER WANTS $152.00 SHOP DIAGNOSIS FEE AND A REPLACEMENT MAT SWITCH COULD BE $1800.00. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER FROM THE BEGINNING AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

    NHTSA complaint 10934903
12. Filed Jul 13, 2016Failure May 7, 201677,000 milesSaint James, MNAir bags

    TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. A SCAN OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION SENSOR. RESETTING THE LIGHT WITH THE SCAN TOOLS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE LIGHT GOES BACK ON IMMEDIATELY AND STAYS ON WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE VEHICLE OR NOT. IT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON MAY 7TH 2016 AND THE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.

    NHTSA complaint 10884703
13. Filed Feb 24, 2016Failure Dec 14, 201589,858 milesAnkeny, IASteering

    VERY ERRATIC STEERING. CROSSING THE CROWN OF A ROAD WILL PULL ONE WAY AND THEN QUICKLY PULL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION UNLIKE ANYTHING I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. ALSO SAME EFFECT WITH TRYING TO STAY IN LANES WITH ANY COMMON DEVIATION. THIS IS WORST AT HWY SPEEDS BUT DOES OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS AS WELL.

    NHTSA complaint 10838080
14. Filed Jan 25, 2016Failure Jan 17, 201670,000 milesBoca Raton, FLAir bags

    LIGHT INDICATING PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED BEGAN COMING ON WHILE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF NOTICING THIS, PASSENGER AIRBAG ALWAYS INDICATES OFF. MANY 08 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG MAT FAILURES, BUT NOT THE Z4 (TOO FEW CARS MADE?) I CALLED BMW-USA AND A CASE AGENT CALLED ME BACK. BMW WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE.

    NHTSA complaint 10822054
15. Filed Dec 7, 2014Failure Nov 8, 201469,000 milesHuntersville, NCSteering

    JUST BOUGHT A USED 2008 Z4. CANNOT DRIVE STRAIGHT LINE, CAR GOES ALL OVER THE ROAD. STEERING HAS "STICK-SLIP" EFFECT. CAR WANDERS FROM RIGHT TO LEFT AND LEFT TO RIGHT. GOT RUBBER ELEMENTS IN FRONT AXLE REPLACED, 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT, ..., NO CHANGE. APPEARS TO BE A POWER STEERING ISSUE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10662646
16. Filed Oct 9, 2014Failure Jan 1, 201334,000 milesMilpitas, CAElectrical system, Steering

    WHILE TURNING ON A CONSTANT RADIUS CLOVER-LEAF ON-RAMP (RIGHT OR LEFT), A SUDDEN CHANGE IN STEERING ANGLE WAS REQUIRED TO AVOID AN OBSTACLE. AS THE ELECTRICALLY-ASSISTED STEERING WAS QUICKLY ADJUSTED, A FLAT SPOT (OR A HEAVY SPOT OR A DELAY IN BOOST) IN THE STEERING WHEEL/FEEL WAS ENCOUNTERED. IN OTHER WORDS, MORE FORCE WAS REQUIRED THAN EXPECTED TO QUICKLY CHANGE THE STEERING ANGLE. IF THIS IS NORMAL, IT COULD INTERFERE WITH EMERGENCY MANEUVERS TO AVOID OBSTACLES. PERSONALLY, I FIND IT TO BE UNSAFE AS THE STEERING FEEL IS UNPREDICTABLE. THIS UNPREDICTABLE STEERING FEEL OCCURS ANYTIME I NEED TO MAKE AN ABRUPT CHANGE IN STEERING ANGLE. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10643740
17. Filed Jul 18, 2013Failure Jun 17, 201327,899 milesAllison Park, PAElectrical system, Steering

    AFTER STARTING UP THE CAR (BUT DURING IGNITION, THE KEY SLIPPED IN MY FINGERS CAUSING A MISSED START, I THEREFORE HAD TO TURN THE KEY AGAIN TO GET ENGINE TO TURN OVER.) AND DRIVING FROM MY DRIVEWAY, THERE WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE STEERING ASSIST WHICH CAUSED EXTREMELY DIFFICULT STEERING/CORNERING. I PULLED OVER, THINKING IT HAD TO DO WITH THE MISSED START, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTED IT; STILL NO POWER ASSIST. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO A COMPUTER RESET WHICH RESTORED POWER ASSIST, BUT TOLD ME THEY COULD NOT SAY IF OR WHEN IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. I COULD OPT FOR COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $3500! I'VE OWNED THE CAR FOR 5 MONTHS AND MAYBE PUT 400 MILES ON IT? THIS IS TOO DANGEROUS A THING TO LET GO, I DON'T THINK THIS IS SAFE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10525558
18. Filed Jul 26, 2012Failure Jul 26, 201252,010 milesOxnard, CASteering

    STEERING FAILURE WITH DTC FAILURE AND BRAKE YELLOW WARNING LIGHTS. MUST FIGHT WITH CAR TO DRIVE STRAIGHT WANTS TO VEER TO THE LEFT WITH SHAKY STEERING. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10467893
19. Filed Sep 11, 2011Failure Aug 19, 201135,129 milesBeacon, NYWheels

    ALL FOUR RIMS ARE BENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF-ROAD, NOR HAS THE VEHICLE ENCOUNTERED MAJOR POTHOLES. A LOGICAL EXPLANATION FOR THIS OCCURRENCE IS SHODDY MANUFACTURING. BENT RIMS POTENTIALLY CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10424631