2012 BMW Z4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
7
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
10
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 BMW Z4
The 2012 BMW Z4 has received a total of 7 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. 10 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (3 complaints), Electrical System (2 complaints), and Engine (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2012 BMW Z4
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2012 BMW Z4, potentially affecting up to 1,612,112 vehicles.
Recall 24V608000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES
| 720,796 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
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.
View full details →Recall 24V608000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP
| 720,796 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
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.
View full details →Recall 14V627000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 8,988 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 14V627000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 8,988 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
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...
View full details →Recall 13V454000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 76,191 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
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].
View full details →Recall 13V454000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
| 76,191 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
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].
View full details →Recall 12V302000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 162 vehicles affected
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 1-SERIES ACTIVE E AND MODEL YEAR 2012 Z4 VEHICLES. VARIATIONS IN ELECTRICAL CURRENT MAY OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, LEADING TO SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE.
Consequence: SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSISTANCE MAY INCREASE THE STEERING EFFORT REQUIRED TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF A VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING ASSISTANCE MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN DURING JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AT 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 BMW Z4
7 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 BMW Z4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2012 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. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 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. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 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 unavailable. 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 confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 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 unavailable. 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 confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2012 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH and turning to the left, the steering wheel seized, and the contact had to use force to return the steering wheel back to center. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds while turning left or right. The contact stated that the vehicle was shuddering while the steering wheel was turned to the left or right. The vehicle regained normal steering functionality when the vehicle was stopped and turned off and restarted. The contact stated the "steering wheel" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V302000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Safety Rating for the 2012 BMW Z4
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 BMW Z4 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 BMW Z4
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 10 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 BMW Z4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B040221 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
Distribution of the following tool will be through the Automatic Tool Shipment Program
SIB010717 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The engine coolant thermostat component-specific limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000
B513815 — EQUIPMENT
Door Brake Makes Squeaking Noise. The customer may complain of a squeaking noise when opening or closing either front door. Debris inclusions imbed into the door brake slide mechanism.
120114 — EQUIPMENT
"PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS. BMW centers must ensure Recalls are completed after having been notified by BMW of North America, LLC (BMWNA) that a safety-related defect...
120114 — POWER TRAIN
"PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS. BMW centers must ensure Recalls are completed after having been notified by BMW of North America, LLC (BMWNA) that a safety-related defect...
122413 — ENGINE
"PERFORM THE PROCEDURE OUTLINED IN THIS SERVICE INFORMATION ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES BEFORE CUSTOMER DELIVERY OR THE NEXT TIME THEY ARE IN THE SHOP FOR MAINTENANCE OR REPAIRS. BMW centers must ensure Recalls are completed after having been notified by BMW of North America, LLC (BMWNA) that a safety-related defect...
160313 — ENGINE
N52K, N54 and N20 Engine - Noise from Fuel Tank. The customer complains of a noise from the underside rear portion of the vehicle. When diagnosed the noise is coming from the fuel tank. CAUSE A manufacturing defect inside the electric fuel delivery unit (in-tank fuel pump) pressure limiting valve...
BMWNOV1213 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The Delivery Stop issued on November 22 for certain 2014 model year E89 vehicles produced from March to June 2013, remains in effect. The fuel pump pressure regulator could cause a noise that is audible to the driver. The fuel pump still functions properly in this case. Affected vehicles in...
120613 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The Service Engine Soon Lamp On with Post Oxygen Sensor Faults Stored. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp is on and the following faults are stored in the DME fault code memory. BN2000 (E-Series) vehicles: * 2D22: Oxygen sensor downstream of catalytic converter, electric: open circuit BN2020 (F-Series) vehicles: *...
631410 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Condensation builds up inside the taillight lens.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 BMW Z4
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW Z4
- 2007 BMW Z4 — 42 complaints
- 2008 BMW Z4 — 27 complaints
- 2009 BMW Z4 — 26 complaints
- 2010 BMW Z4 — 9 complaints
- 2011 BMW Z4 — 55 complaints
- 2012 BMW Z4 (current)
- 2013 BMW Z4 — 12 complaints
- 2014 BMW Z4 — 10 complaints
- 2015 BMW Z4 — 7 complaints
- 2016 BMW Z4 — 5 complaints