2019 BMW Z4 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Nov 26, 2025 · 5 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Z4 years
Not enough data 12th of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 BMW Z4. That ranks 12th out of 21 Z4 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (2 complaints, 40%), typically at around 200 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.

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 2019 BMW Z4 problems

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

Engine2 · ~200 mi
Air Bags1
Electrical System1
Forward Collision Avoidance1
Steering1
Structure1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine240%200——
Air Bags120%———
Electrical System120%———
Forward Collision Avoidance120%———
Steering120%———
Structure120%———

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
2020: 1202012021: 1202112024: 2202422025: 120251

n = 5 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2019 BMW Z4 recalls (6)

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

Electrical system:starter assembly:relayPark outsideSep 23, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V636000 · 199,674 vehicles

Problem: 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.

EngineAug 2, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V598000 · 50,024 vehicles

Problem: 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:headlightsAug 27, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V516000 · 4,265 vehicles

Problem: 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 assemblyJun 15, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V355000 · 2,779 vehicles

Problem: 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.

EngineOct 15, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V732000 · 217 vehicles

Problem: 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: cameraSep 27, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V684000 · 257,473 vehicles

Problem: 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, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The 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 next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

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.

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.

Recent owner reports

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

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…

Electrical System · received Nov 26, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11701698

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…

Steering · received Jul 5, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11599320

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…

Engine · received Apr 29, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11585790

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…

Air Bags · received Nov 19, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11441010

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.

Engine · received Jan 22, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11301139

Other BMW Z4 years

← 2016 Z4 · 2020 Z4 →

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

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW Z4?

Owners most often report engine, air bags, electrical system problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 2 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2019 BMW Z4?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2019 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 2019 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.