Is the 2011 Bmw Z4 reliable?

The 2011 Bmw Z4 has 57 complaints filed with NHTSA (7.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Bmw Z4?

Top problems: ENGINE (17 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (13 complaints, avg repair $500); WHEELS (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Bmw Z4?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE. Contact any Bmw dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Bmw Z4?

The 2011 Bmw Z4 gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Bmw Z4?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Bmw Z4 is approximately $2,021/year (coupe-sports class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Bmw Z4

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Bmw Z4 has 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 7.1x the segment average of 8. 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. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

7.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

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

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Bmw Z4

Based on 35 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 37K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 30K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

WHEELS

Reported earliermedian 37K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 45K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT02/02/2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.

Risk: If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Bmw Z4

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Bmw Z4

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$2,021

Full coverage / month

$168

Liability only / year

$754

vs US avg

+21%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (coupe-sports)1.42x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$2021

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Bmw Z4 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Condition-Based Service (CBS) tells you exactly when service is due. Transmission fluid was labeled 'lifetime' but many owners service at 60K-100K.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Bmw New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion is unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Bmw. If you're buying a used 2011 Z4, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Bmw dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

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
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Bmw dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)