2011 Bmw Z4

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw Z4 has 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is engine problems (30% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2011 bmw z4. the contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled. the failure recurred numerous times. the vehicle was taken to a dealer four times but the failure could not be reproduced. the manufacturer was notified but no assistance was given. the vehicle had.

2 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

ENGINE

17 complaints

30%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAD
• THE CAR STALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AT AROUND 25-35 MPH AND MADE A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IN GEAR. I PUT THE CAR INTO 'PARK' THEN TRIED TO RESTART. IT DID NOT START THE E
• MY CAR STALLED AGAIN ON JULY 26TH. IN THIS INSTANCE, I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING ON THE ON-RAMP BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. MY CAR STALLED COMPLETELY, HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE ELECTRICAL WAS STILL ON. I PANICKED BECAUSE I WAS STILL MOVING IN TRAFFIC. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO BREAK IN TIME AND RESTART MY CAR

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAD”

— NHTSA complaint filing

STEERING

13 complaints

23%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT IN
• ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN A FEW DEGREES WITH POWER ASSISTANCE AND AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WHEEL POWER ASSIST WENT AWAY REQUIRING EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO TURN. THIS FIRST APPEAR
• FAILED EPS MODULE WHILE DRIVING. ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH ON A 90 DEGREE DAY. EPS WARNING LIGHT (ALONG WITH PARKING AND ESC LIGHTS) POPPED UP AND STEERING FROZE. AFTER SOME FORCE COULD GET STEERING TO MOVE... SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WAS ONLY GOING STRAIGHT AND WAS NOT PA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT IN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

WHEELS

7 complaints

12%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEA
• BLOW OUT AT 70 MPH, REPLACED REAR PASSENGER TIRE AT BMW WITH SAME RUN FLATS. NEXT DAY FLAT, RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY SAID I HAD 2 HAIRLINE CRACKS IN SAME WHEEL, WHICH NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I NOTICED A TON OF COMPLAINTS AND SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE 296 STYLE 19 INCH RIMS. *TR
• I'M A OWNER OF 2011 BMW Z4 35I WITH 296 STYLE WHEELS. BMW'S 296 STYLE WHEEL CONSIDERED HAS DESIGN DEFECTS BY MOST OF OWNERS, SINCE THEY REALLY EASILY CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. REASON WHY 296 STYLE WHEELS GOT EASILY CRACKED DEFINITELY SEEMS FLAWED DESIGN, AND IT CAN BE PROVED BY OTHER WHEELS WITH

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

5 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED.
• THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AUBURN, CA. WE HAD JUST FINISHED LUNCH AND WERE PLANNING TO HEAD HOME. I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO START THE CAR AND WE HEARD A DISTINCT POPPING NOISE. AS I ENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THE BMW HAD LOST ITS BRAKING A
• WHEN EXITING A PARKING LOT INTO A CITY STREET, WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE PRESSED, A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD, THEN A HISSING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER AFTER THAT AND MY CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET OUT OF CONTROL, IT WAS A SCARY SITUATION BUT NO ACCIDENT OR CO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

• ON 01/05/2012, BMW SERVICE CENTER REPLACED AN IDRIVE PART AND REPROGRAMMED THE CAR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, I NOTICED AC IS NOT WORKING. SERVICE CENTER TOOK IT BACK AND DID A MASTER RESET. AFTER THAT SEVERAL TIMES I HAD THE ISSUE AND THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. ON 07/15/2013, I NOTICED THE AC IS NOT WOR
• Electrical power steering system failed, warning light came on. Vehicle suddenly became very difficult to impossible to steer. Failed to negotiate a turn and nearly hit a tree. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it to
• ON 3 APRIL 2026 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 BMW Z4 SDRIVE 30I E89 N52K (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) THAT HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT, SUDDENLY A STEERING ASSISTANCE MALFUNCTION TROUBLE LIGHT APPEARED AND I LOST ALL ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!! THEN SHORT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“ON 01/05/2012, BMW SERVICE CENTER REPLACED AN IDRIVE PART AND REPROGRAMMED THE CAR. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, I NOTICED AC IS NOT WORKING. SERVICE CENTER TOOK IT BACK AND DID A MASTER RESET. AFTER THAT SEVERAL TIMES I HAD THE ISSUE AND THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. ON 07/15/2013, I NOTICED THE AC IS NOT WOR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 57 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOUR TIMES BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS GIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAD
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT IN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
WHEELS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PERSONAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)