Federal safety data shows 6 recalls and 0 complaints for the 2011 BMW Z4, a low safety profile overall. Check the known issues section below for the most common problem areas.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

17V6830002017-30-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

View at NHTSA

14V1760002014-10-04

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.

If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

13V0440002013-07-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 6 recalls

22V1190002022-02-03

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

View at NHTSA

17V0670002017-02-02

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

23V7070002023-20-10

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.

Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

BMW Z4 Fuel Economy

19–22mpg combined

17-19city

23-28hwy

$3,700-$4,300/yr

The 2011 BMW Z4 delivers 19 to 22 MPG combined across 5 powertrain combinations. If fuel cost matters to you, pay attention to engine and drivetrain. The spread is significant.

By Trim

Z4 sDrive30i - Automatic (S6)

22mpg

3.0L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

18 city28 hwy~$3,700/yr-1/10 Poor

Z4 sDrive30i - Manual 6-spd

22mpg

3.0L 6-cyl · Rear-Wheel Drive

19 city28 hwy~$3,700/yr-1/10 Poor

Z4 sDrive35i - Manual 6-spd

21mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive

19 city26 hwy~$3,900/yr-1/10 Poor

Z4 sDrive35i - Automatic (S7)

19mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive

17 city23 hwy~$4,300/yr-1/10 Poor

Z4 sDrive35is - Automatic (S7)

19mpg

3.0L 6-cyl Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive

17 city23 hwy~$4,300/yr-1/10 Poor

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2011 BMW Z4

31States

34%in top 3

California has the most inventory at 15%, with options spread across 31 states. Willing to ship? Your selection opens up significantly.

CACalifornia

6515%

ILIllinois

4210%

TXTexas

379%

FLFlorida

327%

AZArizona

215%

MOMissouri

205%

GAGeorgia

194%

OROregon

174%

OHOhio

143%

NCNorth Carolina

133%

WAWashington

123%

PAPennsylvania

113%

INIndiana

102%

OKOklahoma

102%

NJNew Jersey

92%

MIMichigan

92%

NYNew York

82%

DCWashington DC

82%

MA7

DE6

MD6

MN6

CO6

NH5

UT4

AL4

WI4

VA3

NV3

SC3

KY3

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2011.

Buying a 2011 BMW Z4?

Answers to common buyer questions

Is the 2011 BMW Z4 a good car to buy?

The 2011 BMW Z4 has its strengths and its watch-outs. 6 recalls have been issued, so verify completion with the dealer. Check the safety section for recall details and the pricing data to see if the numbers work for you.

Are there recalls on the 2011 BMW Z4?

There are 6 documented recalls for the 2011 BMW Z4. Don't let that scare you; most are routine. Just make sure they're all resolved before you sign. Details in the safety overview.

What's the gas mileage of the 2011 BMW Z4?

You'll get between 19 and 22 MPG combined from the 2011 BMW Z4, depending on engine and drivetrain. That's a meaningful difference over time. The fuel economy table shows exactly which configs get what.