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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 BMW Z4 Recalls & Complaints

The 2020 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 2020 BMW Z4. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2020 BMW Z4 owner complaints

Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 BMW Z4, describing incidents dated December 12, 2019 to July 1, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 2 complaints
  • Engine 2 complaints
  • Service Brakes 2 complaints
  • Steering 2 complaints
  • Structure 1 complaint
  • Suspension 1 complaint

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

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11751896 · Filed

    The engine starter failed on my 2020 BMW Z4 M40i. The vehicle experienced starting failures and the repair shop diagnosed a faulty/shorted engine starter assembly. The symptoms and component failure match the exact defect description of active safety recalls NHTSA 24V-576 and 25V-636 (Starter Motor…

  • ODI #11719116 · Filed

    Engine starter safety recall came out in September 2025, with no remedy or parts existing for fixing it. 5 months later, and no timeframe is provided for a remedy. This is a major fire risk given the amount of rain now that could corrode the starter and lead to a fire.

  • ODI #11376404 · Filed

    DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THERE IS MAJOR SQUEAKING/WHINING/GRINDING NOISE IF EVEN A TINY BIT OF WATER GETS IN THERE AND LAST COUPLE DAYS AFTER THAT. AND WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THE SQUEAKING/WHINING GETS LOUDER. AND WHEN DOES DO THIS THE SUSPENSION IF YOU HIT EVEN A SMALL…

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.

Fuel Tank Weld May Fail

NHTSA #20V700000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported November 12, 2020 · BMW of North America, LLC

Potentially affected: 49 vehicles

Repair completion: 83.67% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

BMW campaign Toyota: 20TB16 · Owners notified December 18, 2020

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Z4 and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. The weld between the fuel tank halves may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.

Safety consequence

The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 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.

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.

Loss of Headlight Function

NHTSA #19V850000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

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

Potentially affected: 245 vehicles

Repair completion: 88.48% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

BMW campaign Toyota - 19TA20 · Owners notified January 24, 2020 · Vehicles built July 16, 2019 – August 20, 2019 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 Z4 M40i, Z4 sDrive30i, 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles as well as 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights.

Safety consequence

Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 17, 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.

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, 2018 – 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.

Other BMW Z4 model years

Check your 2020 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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