Representative model. Photo: Michael Gil from Calgary, AB, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2011 BMW Z4 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2011 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 6
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 46
Latest campaign: Oct 20, 2023

Recall summary by component6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Engine and engine cooling	4	Oct 20, 2023	23V707000 22V119000 17V683000 14V176000
Power train	1	Feb 2, 2017	17V067000
Electrical system	1	Feb 7, 2013	13V044000

Safety recalls6

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 20, 2023Latest campaign


Oct 20, 202323V707000	Engine and engine cooling: engine Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 23V707000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break. Risk Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 23V707000 · Oct 20, 2023
Mar 2, 202222V119000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. DetailsHide details for campaign 22V119000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. Risk An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked. Remedy This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 22V119000 · Mar 2, 2022
Oct 30, 201717V683000	Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system emission control An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V683000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit. Risk An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 17V683000 · Oct 30, 2017
Feb 2, 201717V067000	Power train: driveline constant velocity joint If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V067000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Campaign NHTSA 17V067000 · Feb 2, 2017
Apr 10, 201414V176000	Engine and engine cooling: engine If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V176000 What's wrong BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break. Risk If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 14V176000 · Apr 10, 2014
Feb 7, 201313V044000	Electrical system If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V044000 What's wrong BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle. Risk If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com. Campaign NHTSA 13V044000 · Feb 7, 2013

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component46

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

46Complaints filed

1Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes
Steering	13	28	0
Engine	10	22	0
Engine and engine cooling	7	15	0
Wheels	7	15	0
Service brakes	5	11	1
Electrical system	3	7	0
Fuel/propulsion system	2	4	0
Unknown or other	2	4	0
Tires	2	4	0
Suspension	2	4	1
Power train	2	4	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	1	2	0
Parking brake	1	2	0

An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Z4 SDRIVE30I, Z4 SDRIVE35I, Z4 SDRIVE35IS.

Latest reports

Steering
“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…”
Filed 04/07/2026 · ODI 11729687
Steering
“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.”
Filed 04/30/2025 · ODI 11658036
Steering
“Steering assist failed almost resulting in head on collision. Failure is serious and likely to cause fatalities”
Filed 03/24/2025 · ODI 11650357

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2011 BMW Z4 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2011 BMW Z4 have?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns for the 2011 BMW Z4. The most recent, 23V707000 (reported October 20, 2023), concerns engine and engine cooling. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2011 BMW Z4 recalls for?

The largest group is engine and engine cooling, with 4 campaigns. Others: power train (1), electrical system (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2011 BMW Z4?

Steering is the most-reported component, named in 13 complaints out of 46 filed with NHTSA (28%). Across all complaints, owners reported 1 crash and 0 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2011 BMW Z4?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the BMW recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised BMW dealer.

Check a specific BMW by VIN

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