2011 BMW Z4 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2011 BMW Z4 has 3 complaints and 8 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report issues with electrical power steering system failures. These failures cause the steering to become difficult or impossible, creating dangerous driving situations.
Common Issues
- Power steering failure. Electrical power steering system fails suddenly, making the vehicle hard to steer and causing near collisions.
- Steering assist loss. Steering assist malfunctioned, resulting in almost causing a head-on collision.
In addition to these complaints, 8 recalls affect the 2011 BMW Z4. Recalls primarily address electrical system defects and engine-related bolt failures that could result in stalling or fire risks.
Recalls
- Battery cable connector. NHTSA recall 13V044000 affects 516,791 vehicles including the 2011 Z4. The positive battery cable connector may degrade and break from heat and electrical resistance, causing loss of electrical power and unexpected stalling. BMW will replace the connector free of charge starting March 2013.
- VANOS unit bolts. Recall 14V176000 impacts 156,137 vehicles including 2011 Z4 models. The bolts securing the variable camshaft timing (VANOS) housing can loosen or break, causing engine stalls and reduced power. Dealers will replace bolts free of charge. Notification began September 2014.
- VANOS unit bolts update. Recall 23V707000 involves 157,796 vehicles including 2011 Z4s. Loose or broken VANOS bolts cause engine stalls, increasing crash risk. Dealers will replace bolts free of charge with notifications sent in 2023-2024.
- PCV valve heater short circuit. Recall 22V119000 includes 917,106 vehicles. The positive crankcase ventilation valve heater may short circuit, causing overheating and potential fire while driving or parked. Dealers will install fuse-protected wiring harnesses when remedy becomes available. Owners were notified in 2022.
- PCV valve heater replacement. Recall 17V683000 affects 740,561 vehicles including the 2011 Z4. The PCV valve heater may short circuit and cause fires, even when parked. BMW will replace these heaters free of charge. Notification began in 2017.
- Rear driveshaft CV joint. Recall 17V067000 covers 8,752 vehicles including 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i models. The rear driveshaft constant velocity joint may fatigue and break, causing loss of propulsion and increased crash risk. Dealers will inspect and replace affected joints free of charge from April 2017.
Owners with repeated repairs or unresolved recall issues involving steering failures, engine stalls, or fire risks may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws.
2011 BMW Z4 Summary
2011
Model Year
3
Total Complaints
6
Total Recalls
2497143
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2011 BMW Z4
157796 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 BMW Z4
917106 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: 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.
2011 BMW Z4
8752 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
2011 BMW Z4
740561 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: 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.
2011 BMW Z4
156137 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
2011 BMW Z4
516791 vehicles affected
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.
Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints
2011 BMW Z4
ID: 2087340ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electrical power steering system failed, warning light came on. Vehicle suddenly became very difficult to impossible to steer. Failed to negotiate a turn and nearly hit a tree. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.
2011 BMW Z4
ID: 2087339STEERING
Electrical power steering system failed, warning light came on. Vehicle suddenly became very difficult to impossible to steer. Failed to negotiate a turn and nearly hit a tree. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.
2011 BMW Z4
ID: 2076373STEERING
Steering assist failed almost resulting in head on collision. Failure is serious and likely to cause fatalities