NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 BMW Z4 Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 BMW Z4 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 7 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 BMW Z4. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 BMW Z4 owner complaints

Owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW Z4, describing incidents dated October 24, 2016 to October 29, 2024.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 3 complaints
Air Bags 2 complaints
Service Brakes 2 complaints
Structure 2 complaints
Engine 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint

Of the 7 complaints on file, 2 report a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11645390 · Filed February 27, 2025
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.
ODI #11622449 · Filed October 29, 2024
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…
ODI #11582362 · Filed April 11, 2024
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…

Read all 7 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 BMW Z4 in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE13-030: Loss of power assist braking
Closed October 25, 2013
- Recall 13V-454

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Water Pump Connector May Short Circuit

NHTSA #24V608000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Cooling System — Pump · NHTSA notice

Reported August 13, 2024 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 720,796 vehicles

Repair completion: 38.8% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified March 28, 2025

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Loss of Brake Assist/Vacuum Pump Lubrication

NHTSA #14V627000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 2014 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 8,988 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 2, 2014 · Vehicles built June 12, 2012 – June 10, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Loss of Brake Assist/Vacuum Pump Lubrication

NHTSA #13V454000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Power Assist — Vacuum · NHTSA notice

Reported September 26, 2013 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 76,191 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.87% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified January 31, 2014 · Vehicles built June 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer remedy

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].

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2013 BMW Z4. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

7 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 BMW Z4.

Electrical System; Structure; Service Brakes

ODI #11645390

Crash

Incident: October 12, 2022 · Filed: February 27, 2025

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Electrical System

ODI #11622449

Incident: October 29, 2024 · Filed: October 29, 2024

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 exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Electrical System; Air Bags

ODI #11582362

Crash

Incident: February 10, 2024 · Filed: April 11, 2024

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 few days later while the contact's husband was driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle continued to accelerate upon depression of the brake pedal. The brake pedal was depressed multiple times but to no avail, as a result, the contact's husband crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not upon impact and no injuries were reported. A police report was not filed. Despite the failure, the vehicle was able driven to the contact's home but was later towed to a dealer. The contact was informed by the dealer that the manufacturer would be sending an investigator to inspect the vehicle. The manufacturer later informed the contact that no fault codes were found on the vehicle; the contact disputed the investigator's finding. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer. The failure mileage was 52,954

Structure

ODI #11344082

Incident: July 15, 2020 · Filed: August 8, 2020

WATER LEAKED INTO FLOOR FROM AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATIONS PAN.

Wheels

ODI #11081688

Incident: March 29, 2018 · Filed: March 29, 2018

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

Air Bags

ODI #10985834

Incident: May 3, 2017 · Filed: May 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR AND "PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT NOT ON" INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE PASSENGER EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE INDICATORS DIMMED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED TWO OTHER TIMES. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAP SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Steering

ODI #10919319

Incident: October 24, 2016 · Filed: October 27, 2016

JUST PURCHASED A USED BMW Z4 AND REALIZE THAT THE STEERING IS STICKY. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM FOUND THAT THIS HAD BEEN A A SAFETY ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL. MY CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2012 WHEN THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ON A STEERING ISSUE. WHILE MY CAR IS A 2013 IT WAS MANUFACTURED AS NOTED DURING THE TIME OF THE STEERING RECALL. IT APPEARS THAT MY PROBLEM MAY NOT BE JUST A COINCIDENT. THE STICKY STEERING OCCURS WHENEVER THE SPEED IS ABOVE 30 MPH AND FEELS AS IF THE STEERING IS TRYING TO STAY IN A DIRECTION CONTRARY TO THE DIRECTION IN WHICH I'M TRYING TO STEER.

Other BMW Z4 model years

Check your 2013 BMW Z4 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW Z4 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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