2020 BMW Z4 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
8
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
14
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2020 BMW Z4
The 2020 BMW Z4 has received a total of 8 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:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY, ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 14 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes (2 complaints), Steering (2 complaints), and Electrical System (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2020 BMW Z4
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2020 BMW Z4, potentially affecting up to 515,995 vehicles.
Recall 25V636000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY
| 199,674 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
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...
View full details →Recall 21V598000 — ENGINE
| 50,024 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 20V516000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 4,265 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
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.
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...
View full details →Recall 20V516000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 4,265 vehicles affected
Defect: 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."
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.
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...
View full details →Recall 20V700000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 49 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
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.
View full details →Recall 19V850000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 245 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
View full details →Recall 19V684000 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
| 257,473 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2020 BMW Z4
8 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2020 BMW Z4. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structurebody | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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 BUMP WILL BOTTOM OUT AND MAKE GRINDING NOISES. BMW HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR COUPLE TIMES FIRST TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS RUST. SECOND TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
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 BUMP WILL BOTTOM OUT AND MAKE GRINDING NOISES. BMW HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR COUPLE TIMES FIRST TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS RUST. SECOND TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
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 BUMP WILL BOTTOM OUT AND MAKE GRINDING NOISES. BMW HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR COUPLE TIMES FIRST TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS RUST. SECOND TIME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.
WAS IN A DRIVE THRU ON 9/6/2020 WAITING OUR TURN. APPROX. 7 CARS IN FRONT OF US. AS WE ARE SLOWLY MOVING UP TO ORDER, CAR IN IDLE, FOOT ON BRAKE. AS WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, WHEN WE WERE UP TO 3 CARS, STILL IDLING AND FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR HAD FULLY ACCELERATED, BRAKE NOT HOLDING THE CAR, INCHING FORWARD DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE ACCELERATION. TRIED TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, WENT INTO REVERSE. TRIED AGAIN TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, WENT INTO DRIVE, STILL INCHING FORWARD, AT THIS TIME I PUSHED THE OFF BUTTON TO STOP THE CAR. RESULT OF COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. WE HAVE PHOTOS BUT NOT ON THIS COMPUTER.
Safety Rating for the 2020 BMW Z4
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2020 BMW Z4 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2020 BMW Z4
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 14 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2020 BMW Z4. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B540324 — STRUCTURE:BODY
The convertible top does not open or close.
B511323 — STRUCTURE
?The outer A-pillar trim panel (arrow) protrudes outward (circled) towards the cowl seal.
B630821 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Headlight check control (CC) message 128 "High beam headlight failure" is displayed. The following fault codes are stored during a vehicle test: 80419A - Left high-beam headlight: Short circuit and/or 8041A5 - light outputs: Number of permitted short circuit cycles exceeded
SIB090121 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
BMW offers a new special ISTA Installation made available for Roadside Assistance / Mobile Service technicians. The new ISTA Version is also able to be used in case of a Remote Software Upgrade (RSU) programming failure to get the customer car reprogrammed on site. In case of a Remote Software...
B650521 — EQUIPMENT
WHIRRING NOISES FROM THE STEERING WHEEL . When driving over rough road surfaces/cobblestones, there is a whirring/squeaking noise coming from the steering wheel-mounted air bag assembly.
B540221 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE "ROOF NOT LOCKED": A check control message is displayed stating "Roof not locked", although the roof is securely locked.
B540221 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
CHECK CONTROL MESSAGE "ROOF NOT LOCKED": A check control message is displayed stating "Roof not locked", although the roof is securely locked.
B610120 — EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY
ACCESSORIES DO NOT POWER ON: Customer is unable to power up or charge accessories through a plug adapter inserted in the front 12-volt power socket plug. Alternatively, it will only operate when constant downward hand pressure is maintained. A design change was intended to reduce short circuits and blown fuses....
B340320 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
PREMATURE WEAR OF THE REAR AXLE BRAKE PADS WITH STANDARD BRAKES: The CBS data and Check Control (CC) message shows the rear axle brake pads are worn, and the vehicle has less than 15,500 miles. Increased residual braking forces in the rear axle brake calipers caused by production-related deviations on...
B511318 — POWER TRAIN
LIN BUS FAULTS WITH EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR GLASS DAMAGE: Any or all of these conditions may be present: A. The exterior rearview mirror glass is discolored or cracked B. The power windows and folding mirrors may not operate C. One or more of the following LIN bus faults are stored...
Showing 10 of 14 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2020 BMW Z4
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW Z4
- 2015 BMW Z4 — 7 complaints
- 2016 BMW Z4 — 5 complaints
- 2019 BMW Z4 — 7 complaints
- 2020 BMW Z4 (current)
- 2021 BMW Z4 — 0 complaints
- 2022 BMW Z4 — 2 complaints
- 2023 BMW Z4 — 0 complaints