Short answer
Among BMW Z4 model years through 2024, 2005 and 2024 have the fewest NHTSA recall campaigns on record (0) and 2011, 2019 and 2020 have the most (6). Recall counts are not a reliability score; they show how often a safety defect had to be corrected.
Quick read
BMW Z4: Key Facts
- Model years with data
- 21 (2003–2026)
- Distinct recall campaigns
- 28
- Fewest recalls
- 2005 and 2024 (0)
- Most recalls
- 2011, 2019 and 2020 (6)
- Most recalled system
- Electrical system (17)
BMW Z4 Recalls and Ratings by Model Year
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Overall crash rating | Most recalled systems |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Recent: still collecting recalls | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2024 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2023 | 2 | Not rated | Electrical system, Power train |
| 2022 | 3 | Not rated | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 5 | Not rated | Electrical system, Engine, Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2020 | 6 | Not rated | Exterior lighting, Back over prevention, Electrical system |
| 2019 | 6 | Not rated | Engine, Back over prevention, Electrical system |
| 2016 | 1 | Not rated | Electrical system |
| 2015 | 1 | Not rated | Electrical system |
| 2014 | 3 | Not rated | Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2013 | 3 | Not rated | Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system |
| 2012 | 4 | Not rated | Service brakes, hydraulic, Electrical system, Steering |
| 2011 | 6 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Power train |
| 2010 | 5 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system |
| 2009 | 4 | Not rated | Electrical system, Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 | 2 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 | 2 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2006 | 2 | Not rated | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2005 | 0 | Not rated | None on record |
| 2004 | 1 | Not rated | Fuel system, gasoline |
| 2003 | 4 | Not rated | Air bags, Fuel system, gasoline, Seat belts |
No model years match your search.
The scale of the difference
Recall Campaigns by Model Year
Distinct NHTSA recall campaigns per model year. Years after 2024 are recent and still collecting recalls.
- 20260 recalls
- 20240 recalls
- 20232 recalls
- 20223 recalls
- 20215 recalls
- 20206 recalls
- 20196 recalls
- 20161 recall
- 20151 recall
- 20143 recalls
- 20133 recalls
- 20124 recalls
- 20116 recalls
- 20105 recalls
- 20094 recalls
- 20082 recalls
- 20072 recalls
- 20062 recalls
- 20050 recalls
- 20041 recall
- 20034 recalls
BMW Z4: Analysis
How to read recall counts
A recall campaign is a safety defect that the manufacturer or NHTSA required to be fixed. Counts depend on how long a model year has been on the road, so recent years look better than they will in time; this page therefore ranks only model years through 2024. A high count can also mean a manufacturer reacts quickly to small defects, so it says little about breakdowns or running costs.
What the recalls were about
Across all model years, the systems named most often in BMW Z4 recalls are electrical system (17), engine and engine cooling (16), service brakes, hydraulic (6), engine (4) and fuel system, gasoline (4). The number in brackets counts model-year entries, so one campaign that covers several years is counted in each.
FAQ: BMW Z4 Best and Worst Years
What are the best years for the BMW Z4?
By NHTSA recall campaigns, 2005 and 2024 are the cleanest model years through 2024, with 0 each.
Which BMW Z4 model years have the most recalls?
2011, 2019 and 2020 have the most, with 6 recall campaigns each.
Does a recall mean the car is unreliable?
No. A recall is a safety correction filed with NHTSA, usually repaired free of charge. It does not measure breakdowns or running costs, so use these counts together with a vehicle history report and an inspection.
Sources & methodology
Recalls and crash ratings come from the NHTSA datasets and APIs, retrieved on 2026-10-03. A record counts for this model when its make matches and its model name starts with the same words as "Z4", so variants such as body styles are included. Only model years from 2000 are used, and each recall campaign is counted once per model year. The data does not say whether an individual car was repaired, so check a specific car by VIN.
NHTSA, US Department of Transportation; this page is not endorsed by NHTSA. Maintained by Artsiom Dusau. Editorial policy