NHTSA vehicle safety data

2019 BMW Z4 Recalls & Complaints

The 2019 BMW Z4 has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 5 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 2019 BMW Z4. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2019 BMW Z4 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 BMW Z4, describing incidents dated April 30, 2019 to September 23, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 2 complaints
Air Bags 1 complaint
Electrical System 1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance 1 complaint
Steering 1 complaint
Structure 1 complaint

Of the 5 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11701698 · Filed November 26, 2025
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…
ODI #11599320 · Filed July 5, 2024
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…
ODI #11585790 · Filed April 29, 2024
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…

Read all 5 complaints

Engine Starter May Corrode and Overheat

NHTSA #25V636000 · Electrical System — Starter Assembly — Relay · NHTSA notice

Reported September 23, 2025 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 199,674 vehicles

Repair completion: 60.32% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified February 6, 2026

Park outside only — fire risk while parked indoors or near structures.

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Loss of Braking Assist

NHTSA #21V598000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported August 2, 2021 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 50,024 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.86% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified September 17, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Horizontal Headlamp Adjustment Possible/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #20V516000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported August 27, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 4,265 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.99% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 23, 2020

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Steering Gear Tie Rods May Become Damaged

NHTSA #20V355000 · Steering — Linkages — Tie Rod Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported June 15, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 2,779 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.28% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

BMW campaign Toyota: 20TA09 · Owners notified August 14, 2020

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

Counterbalance Shaft May Loosen

NHTSA #19V732000 · Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported October 15, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 217 vehicles

Repair completion: 99.08% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified December 13, 2019 · Vehicles built May 24, 2018 – April 3, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111

NHTSA #19V684000 · Back Over Prevention — Sensing System — Camera · NHTSA notice

Reported September 27, 2019 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 257,473 vehicles

Repair completion: 96.64% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified November 8, 2019 · Vehicles built May 24, 2019 – August 26, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

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.

2019 BMW Z4 C RWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

5 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2019 BMW Z4.

Electrical System

ODI #11701698

Incident: September 23, 2025 · Filed: November 26, 2025

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 was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Steering

ODI #11599320

Incident: July 2, 2024 · Filed: July 5, 2024

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 engine oil service (approx 60,000 miles)". There was no warning of the premature fail. The failed parts will be replaced and used parts preserved for inspection if needed.

Engine

ODI #11585790

Incident: April 22, 2024 · Filed: April 29, 2024

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 recall/warranty is “SIB 01 12 19 FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES” and I believe mine should be included in this as it is the same engine as these various models. The grill shutters are experiencing the same fault and they do not open and close properly as the models listed. I receive code P05AF which is signals the lower shutters are not closing.

Air Bags; Structure; Forward Collision Avoidance

ODI #11441010

Crash

Incident: September 4, 2021 · Filed: November 19, 2021

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 was in perfect working order. The engineer determined that the system did not engage because the accelerator was depressed, I was told that the system does not work when the accelerator is depressed but that is not how the system is advertised and it is not how it was described in ALL of the BMW marketing materials.

Engine

ODI #11301139

Incident: April 30, 2019 · Filed: January 22, 2020

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.

Other BMW Z4 model years

Check your 2019 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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