Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2020 BMW Z4 peaked in 2020, with 2 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model yearPark outside
2020 BMW Z4
Convertible, gasoline, built in Austria. Owner complaints on file from Dec 14, 2019 to Jul 21, 2026.
Recall campaigns covering this model year6512k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints52.5 times the median 2020 convertible
Severity index20.02020 convertibles average 16.9
First 24 months3Complaints in its first two years
Components
40% of complaints about the 2020 BMW Z4 name electrical system
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
6 recall campaigns cover the 2020 BMW Z4
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V-636 | Sep 23, 2025 | Engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuitPark outside | Electrical system | 199,674 | Part replacement |
| 21V-598 | Aug 2, 2021 | During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist | Engine and cooling | 50,024 | Software update |
| 20V-700 | Nov 12, 2020 | Weld between the fuel tank halves may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail | Fuel system | 49 | Part replacement |
| 20V-516 | Aug 27, 2020 | Headlamps are able to be adjusted horizontally | Lighting | 4,265 | Repair or modification |
| 19V-850 | Nov 27, 2019 | Headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights | Lighting | 245 | Part replacement |
| 19V-684 | Sep 27, 2019 | Back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the… | Back-over prevention | 257,473 | Software update |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2020 BMW Z4
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
5 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Jul 21, 2026Failure Jul 1, 2026Boynton Beach, FLElectrical system, Engine, Unknown or other
The engine starter failed on my 2020 BMW Z4 M40i. The vehicle experienced starting failures and the repair shop diagnosed a faulty/shorted engine starter assembly. The symptoms and component failure match the exact defect description of active safety recalls NHTSA 24V-576 and 25V-636 (Starter Motor Fire Risk due to electrical short circuit/overheating). However, when checking my specific 17-digit VIN, the manufacturer has excluded my vehicle from the recall population. Because this is an identical component failure that poses a severe vehicle fire and safety hazard, I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate a recall expansion to include my vehicle's production batch. I have retained the diagnostic reports and repair invoices as evidence.
NHTSA complaint 11751896 - Filed Feb 19, 2026Failure Sep 23, 2025Livermore, CAElectrical system
Engine starter safety recall came out in September 2025, with no remedy or parts existing for fixing it. 5 months later, and no timeframe is provided for a remedy. This is a major fire risk given the amount of rain now that could corrode the starter and lead to a fire.
NHTSA complaint 11719116 - Filed Nov 26, 2020Failure Nov 11, 20203,000 milesFour Seasons, MOService brakes, Steering, Suspension
DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THERE IS MAJOR SQUEAKING/WHINING/GRINDING NOISE IF EVEN A TINY BIT OF WATER GETS IN THERE AND LAST COUPLE DAYS AFTER THAT. AND WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THE SQUEAKING/WHINING GETS LOUDER. AND WHEN DOES DO THIS THE SUSPENSION IF YOU HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP WILL BOTTOM OUT AND MAKE GRINDING NOISES. BMW HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR COUPLE TIMES FIRST TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS RUST. SECOND TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint 11376404 - Filed Oct 7, 2020Failure Sep 6, 20203,300 milesAmelia, OHEngine, Service brakes, BodyCrash
WAS IN A DRIVE THRU ON 9/6/2020 WAITING OUR TURN. APPROX. 7 CARS IN FRONT OF US. AS WE ARE SLOWLY MOVING UP TO ORDER, CAR IN IDLE, FOOT ON BRAKE. AS WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, WHEN WE WERE UP TO 3 CARS, STILL IDLING AND FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR HAD FULLY ACCELERATED, BRAKE NOT HOLDING THE CAR, INCHING FORWARD DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE ACCELERATION. TRIED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, WENT INTO REVERSE. TRIED AGAIN TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, WENT INTO DRIVE, STILL INCHING FORWARD, AT THIS TIME I PUSHED THE OFF BUTTON TO STOP THE CAR. RESULT OF COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. WE HAVE PHOTOS BUT NOT ON THIS COMPUTER.
NHTSA complaint 11363216 - Filed Dec 14, 2019Failure Dec 12, 2019200 milesSanta Barbara, CASteering
BMW'S LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM ACTUALLY PULLS THE CAR'S STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT, AND COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR RUN OFF THE ROAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM ALMOST PULLED MY VEHICLE INTO THE ADJACENT LANE.
NHTSA complaint 11289091
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
165 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.
- B010324 May 6, 2026 · 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. - B062525 Mar 26, 2025 · Other
Bearing Shell Return - B540324 Jan 13, 2025 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The convertible top does not open or close. - B610321 Feb 28, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SITUATION BMW AG is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Recall (effective April 23, 2021) on a certain Model Year 2020 - 2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between August 13, 2019 and December 11, 2020. Do not deliver to a customer, a New, Certified Pre-O… - B640422 Feb 16, 2024 · 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… - B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. - B610524 Jan 5, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3). FaultB7F8F9 âÃÂÓ âÃÂÃÂHU-H: ResetâÃÂàwill be stored in the HU-H3. - B611305 Jan 11, 2024 · 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 âdisc… - B360121 Jan 8, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk… - B160123 Jan 5, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system(NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air sy… - B511323 Aug 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
?The outer A-pillar trim panel (arrow) protrudes outward (circled) towards the cowl seal. - B840323 Jun 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective February 9, 2023) on certain Model Year 2022 - 2023 BMW vehicles that were produced between June 29, 2022 and February 16, 2023. - B630821 Jun 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit and/or 8041A5 - light outputs: Number of permitted short circui… - B630321 Jun 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Condensation is present on the inner surfaces in one or both taillights (circled). - B611320 Jun 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
In the event of an accident, the two-battery Dual Storage System (DSS) is disconnected from the electrical system via an internal relay. - B160123 Jun 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system (NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel tank ventilation and scavenging air sys… - B120323 Jun 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop effective June 6, 2023 on certain Model Year 2023 - 2024 BMW vehicles that were produced between October 26, 2022 and May 8, 2023. - B090221 Jun 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
With the introduction of the BMW Remote Software Upgrade, all Service Pack 18 vehicles and partial Service Pack 15 vehicles may receive new functionality or modifications in their features. - B840323 May 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective February 9, 2023) on certain Model Year 2022 - 2023 BMW vehicles that were produced between June 29, 2022 and February 16, 2023. This was originally called ""Wireless Charging Tray"". Software in potentially affe… - SIB660823 Apr 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Issues with the various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (KAFAS system) can possibly lead to following customer complaints: KAFAS camera system deactivates itself, due to system restrictions that are not clear to the customer KAFAS ca… - SIB120123 Apr 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
In hot ambient conditions, if the engine was running for a prolonged time while the vehicle is stationary, a jolt may be experienced while lightly accelerating. - B841422 Mar 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Customer is shown an incorrect GPS location in the vehicle (i.e., Nav Map, coordinates). - B651623 Mar 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Customer states there is no audio playback (telephony, navigation, radio) and system sounds (PDC, turn indicators, acoustic signals) may also have failed. - B610923 Mar 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The gear selector switch (GWS) consists of the control electronics circuit and the selector lever. The sensors for recording the gearshift lever position and for inhibiting inadvertent gearshifts are integrated in the control electronics. - B320123 Mar 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
When turning the steering wheel while stationary or when driving on uneven roads; cracking, creaking, or knocking noises may be heard. - B652021 Feb 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective October 25, 2021) on certain Model Year 2022 BMW vehicles that were produced after October 25, 2021. Due to supply chain limitations, certain vehicles were produced without a CID with touch function and and witho… - B650422 Feb 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Due to component-related supply issues, the central information displays (CID) in some of the Model Year 2022 vehicles listed above were produced without the integrated touch screen function. - B610223 Feb 1, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Check control message (CCM) 183 Windscreen wiper malfunction is displayed. - B841422 Dec 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Customer is shown an incorrect GPS location in the vehicle (i.e., Nav Map, coordinates). - B240222 Dec 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
A cracking, metallic noise from under the center of the vehicle. - B651922 Oct 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The customer complains that the radio stations change by themselves. - B611222 Oct 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
After opening the vehicle with the radio remote control and changing the profile, the exterior mirror settings are lost. - B662719 Sep 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The Lane Change Warning (LCW) yellow triangle symbol on either one, or both the exterior side view mirrors does not illuminate to alert the driver when it should. - B662419 Sep 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. - B640422 Sep 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in the center of the instrument panel. - SIB650922 Aug 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The sound output intermittently drops out entirely. This can be reproduced with all audio sources as well as telephone and voice output. - SIB090121 May 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW offers a new special ISTA Installation made available for Roadside Assistance / Mobile Service technicians. The new ISTA Version is also able to be used in case of a Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) programming failure to get the customer car reprogrammed … - SIB651312 May 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2 (HU-H2), also called NBT-EVO, supersede… - SIB640222 May 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Mist formation on the windshield inside surface may occur at departure or after MSA (automaticstart/stop). Acoustic abnormality in the area of the recirculated air flap (recirculation flap closing and opening severaltimes). The above may occur individually … - SIB610722 May 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Check Control Message (CCM) displays "Vehicle key missing" after engine start. - B340122 Feb 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
When driving off from a standstill, a delayed or sluggish throttle response may be noticed sporadically. - B090321 Feb 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
In some rare cases a customer vehicle might be excluded from one or more Remote Software Upgrade(RSU) campaigns. This SIB gives an overview how to identify these vehicles and how to proceed in case of a customer complaint. - B610722 Apr 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Check Control message (CCM) displays "Vehicle key missing" after engine start. - B651221 Feb 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective June 9, 2021) on certain Model Year 2021 BMW vehicles that were produced between May 7, 2021 and May 21, 2021. The Receiver Audio Module (RAM) will need to be added to the affected vehicles. - B661519 Mar 1, 2022 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The steering intervention for Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is too strong (severe), which can create an uncomfortable feeling for the driver. Background: Steering intervention helps keep the vehicle in the lane if the system detects that a lane marking has… - B840917 Dec 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
While using the wireless charger, one or both of the following may occur: 1) The BMW display key or mobile phone becomes hot to the touch. 2) The device switches off due to over temperature (built-in device protection). - B840621 Dec 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The SIM card installed in the telematics control unit (ATM2) connects to different mobile providers' networks. However, due to a missing parameter, this does not work and can cause disruption in BMW ConnectedDrive services in areas with insufficient network… - B662419 Dec 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. - B652121 Dec 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
SiriusXM satellite radio is not working and does not display a channel list. - B652021 Dec 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW AG has issued a Delivery Stop (effective October 25, 2021) on certain Model Year 2022 BMW vehicles that were produced after October 25, 2021. Due to supply chain limitations, certain vehicles were produced without a CID with touch function and without R… - B612219 Dec 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The customer states that the vehicle locks itself when the last door was closed, even though the remote control/display key was inside the vehicle. - B090121 Nov 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW offers a new special ISTA Installation made available for Roadside Assistance / Mobile Service technicians. - B001020 Nov 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW of North America (BMW NA) has made information available online to customers about software versions, including any changes to vehicle functionality that will result from each update. - B640321 Nov 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
After replacing the microfilter during a previous service, the customer notices that the ventilation system airflow rate is noticeably less. - B611621 Nov 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The "energy management" Check control message (ID code 415) is falsely displayed when entering the vehicle. - B650919 Nov 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Customer states the following about their vehicle: active radio or music source is interrupted, the navigation is no longer available, a black screen is shown in the Control Display, the system works again after a short interruption. - B662419 Sep 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle maynot start when placing the key against the steering column. - B651312 Sep 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The Headunit High (HU-H), also called NBT, began replacing the Car Information Computer (CIC) on certain MY2013 vehicles with option 609 (as of 7/2012 production). This uses map North America NEXT. The Headunit High 2 (HU-H2), also called NBT-EVO, supersede… - SIB340821 Jul 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The yellow CCM, ID code 42, lights up when starting the vehicle. ID code 00042: Brake system. It is possible to continue driving. Additional notes: Avoid abrupt braking as far as possible. Drive at a moderate speed. Have it checked by your nearest Service C… - B090321 Oct 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
In some rare cases a customer vehicle might be excluded from one or more Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) campaigns. This SIB gives an overview how to identify these vehicles and how to proceed in case of a customer complaint.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.