2013 BMW Z4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Feb 27, 2025 · 7 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Z4 years
Not enough data 10th of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW Z4. That ranks 10th out of 21 Z4 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (3 complaints, 43%), typically at around 52,954 miles. Complaints mention 2 crashes. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

BMW Z4
BMW Z4, Mondial Paris Motor Show 2018. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2013 BMW Z4 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System3 · ~52,954 mi
Air Bags2 · ~61,477 mi
Structure2 · ~23,000 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Service Brakes1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1 · ~52,954 mi
Steering1 · ~24,345 mi
Wheels1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System343%52,954——
Air Bags229%61,477——
Structure229%23,000——
Engine and Engine Cooling114%———
Service Brakes114%———
Service Brakes, Hydraulic114%52,954——
Steering114%24,345——
Wheels114%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2024, with 2 complaints
2016: 1201612017: 1201712018: 1201812020: 1202012024: 2202422025: 120251

n = 7 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2013 BMW Z4 recalls (3)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pumpAug 13, 2024 · NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 7, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V627000 · 8,988 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.

Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsSep 26, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V454000 · 76,191 vehicles

Problem: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Loss of power assist braking (PE13030) — opened Sep 6, 2013, closed Oct 25, 2013, led to recall 13V454000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I got my car serviced at BMW of Tucson in 2022 and they ruined the electrical in my car. Additionally, they might have created another key. I also noticed that my software was downgraded by them and the alarm stopped working correctly.

Electrical System · received Feb 27, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11645390

The contact owns a 2013 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 not yet available. No further information was available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Oct 29, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11622449

The contact owns a 2013 BMW Z4. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, the vehicle failed to reverse without warning upon depression of the accelerator pedal while in the reverse(R) position. The contact stated that the vehicle resumed normal operation upon restart of the engine. A…

Electrical System · received Apr 11, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11582362

Water leaked into floor from air conditioning evaporations pan.

Structure · received Aug 8, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11344082

S10 appropriate handling - copy of an email to bmw regarding cracks in the wheel. *ld the consumer requested to be reimbursed for expenses incurred and new set of wheels. *js

Wheels · received Mar 29, 2018 · NHTSA complaint 11081688

Other BMW Z4 years

← 2012 Z4 · 2014 Z4 →

See all BMW Z4 problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.

Similar BMW models

Embed this 2013 BMW Z4 badge on your site

Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 BMW Z4?

Owners most often report electrical system, air bags, structure problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 3 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2013 BMW Z4?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2013 BMW Z4 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Z4 model years, the 2013 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.