Representative model. Photo: IFCAR, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 BMW Z4 recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 5
Latest campaign: Aug 13, 2024

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	Oct 7, 2014	14V627000 13V454000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Aug 13, 2024	24V608000
Steering	1	Jun 28, 2012	12V302000

Safety recalls4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Aug 13, 2024Latest campaign


Aug 13, 202424V608000	Engine and engine cooling: cooling system pump An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 24V608000 What's wrong 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 and short circuit. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 24V608000 · Aug 13, 2024
Oct 7, 201414V627000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V627000 What's wrong 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 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454. Risk 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 at 1-800-525-7417. Campaign NHTSA 14V627000 · Oct 7, 2014
Sep 26, 201313V454000	Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist vacuum A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V454000 What's wrong 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 brake power assistance may fail. Risk 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com. Campaign NHTSA 13V454000 · Sep 26, 2013
Jun 28, 201212V302000	Steering: electric power assist system SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING ASSISTANCE MAY INCREASE THE STEERING EFFORT REQUIRED TO CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF A VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V302000 What's wrong 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. Risk 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. Campaign NHTSA 12V302000 · Jun 28, 2012

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 component5

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

5Complaints filed

0Involving a crash

0Involving a fire

0Injuries reported

Component	Complaints	%
Engine and engine cooling	3	60
Electrical system	2	40
Steering	1	20
Engine	1	20

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 SDRIVE28I, Z4 SDRIVE35I, Z4 SDRIVE35IS.

Latest reports

Engine and engine cooling
“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.”
Filed 02/11/2025 · ODI 11641959
Engine and engine cooling
“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.”
Filed 01/27/2025 · ODI 11638768
Steering
“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.”
Filed 12/13/2024 · ODI 11630547

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2012 BMW Z4 recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 BMW Z4 have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 BMW Z4. The most recent, 24V608000 (reported August 13, 2024), concerns engine and engine cooling. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 BMW Z4 recalls for?

The largest group is service brakes, hydraulic, with 2 campaigns. Others: engine and engine cooling (1), steering (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 BMW Z4?

Engine and engine cooling is the most-reported component, named in 3 complaints out of 5 filed with NHTSA (60%). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 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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