RoadVitals

2007 BMW Z4

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
33
Latest Dec 15, 2022
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 2, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
1 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2007 BMW Z4, most frequently naming the steering, engine and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 47 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering1126.8%
  • Engine922.0%
  • Airbags614.6%
  • Electrical49.8%
  • Exterior lighting24.9%
  • Driver assistance24.9%
  • Suspension24.9%
  • Other / unspecified12.4%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V119000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Mar 2, 2022
917,106 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V683000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Oct 30, 2017
740,561 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The 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.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 33
Engine
Filed Dec 15, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11497566
Incident
Dec 1, 2017
Engine
Filed Apr 21, 2022

The contact owns a 2007 BMW Z4. The contact stated that after driving in the vehicle for approximately 20 minutes, he would become disoriented, experienced headaches, and blurred vision. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the muffler welding material had deteriorated and was damaged. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to determine the cause of the failure and indicated that no exhaust leak was present. The contact later received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was contacted regarding the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 9,200. This is in regards to the complaint that consumer made about an overlooked exhaust leak and a PCV valve recall by BMW. Consumer had an exhaust leak on my car a little more than three years ago and had the exhaust replaced… The exhaust and the muffler on it are only about 3 years old. It's already being corroded through.

NHTSA ID
11461659
Incident
Apr 1, 2022
Mileage
9,200 mi
Engine
Filed May 18, 2021

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND NO ISSUES. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEXT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER BMW DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ID
11417683
Incident
May 15, 2021
Mileage
81,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 16, 2019

'AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED ACCORDING TO CARFAX HISTORY. I WAS COMMUTING HOME, WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT, WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD POP. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD FALLEN ON TO MY CAR BECAUSE THE DASH DID NOT EXPLODE. REVERALING THE AIRBAG. I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE AND NOTICED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON. I WASN'T ABLE TO START THE CAR GIVEN THE BATTERY SAFETY TERMINAL DISENGAGED. I AM LUCKY THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, OR EVEN DEPLOY WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11170410
Incident
Jan 15, 2019
Mileage
108,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 26, 2018

WHILE IN MOTION THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES FOR 2 TO 3 SECONDS PERIODICALLY ON HIGHWAY AND IN CITY. WHILE IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED AND WHEN STATIONARY AFTER DRIVING ONLY A FEW MILES THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. WHILE IN MOTION AT HIGH SPEED THE VEHICLE ENGINE STUTTERS BADLY BUT DOES NOT TURN OFF. THE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE TUNED OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN, AND THEN THE ENGINE TURNS OVER AND I'M ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT. BOTH VALVE COVER GASKETS LEAK OIL ONTO THE ENGINE. THE WORST WAS FRONT OF THE ENGINE WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED. THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE: SEATBELTS DON'T RETRACT AUTOMATICALLY AND ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR. BOTH E-KEYS HAVE STOPPED WORKING AND NOT ABLE TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR EN. THE HORN DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE CIG LIGHTER AND SEAT WARMERS ARE WORKING FINE. THE THERMOSTAT WARNING COMES ON BUT IN GAUGE IS NOT SHOWING ANY SIGN OF TROUBLE. BOTH THE HEAT AND THE AC WORK FINE WHILE IN MOTION AND STATIONARY.

NHTSA ID
11153666
Incident
Oct 23, 2017
Mileage
115,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 21, 2018
Crash reportedFire reported1 death reported

CASE NUMBER [XXX] FROM FARS 2012 DATABASE. CAR RAN OFF RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY WHILE NEGOTIATING CURVE IN ROAD AND HIT A TREE. SOLE-OCCUPANT DRIVER PERISHED IN SUBSEQUENT FIRE. SIX MONTHS BEFORE ACCIDENT, VICTIM REPORTED THAT CAR "OCCASIONALLY POPS AND/OR SQUEAKS WHEN CORNERING" IN REQUEST FOR SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH STEVENS CREEK BMW. PLS NOTE THAT LAT/LONG IN FARS CONTRADICTS REPORT THAT ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON CENTRAL EXPWY EASTBOUND IMMEDIATELY EAST OF BERNARDO AVE. *TT INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ID
11121221
Incident
Feb 24, 2012
Steering
Filed Aug 14, 2018

POWER STEERING IS RIGID AT ROAD SPEEDS. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS A $4400 STEERING ESP UNIT. CAR DAD 3700 MILES NOT IT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE CAR IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL.

NHTSA ID
11119934
Incident
Mar 31, 2017
Mileage
3,600 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 30, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (PRESTON BMW, 7830 MARKET ST, BOARDMAN, OH 44512) AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART MAY BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF JUNE 2018. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11091001
Incident
Dec 11, 2017

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B662419

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.

B340414

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

B110208

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Power Reduction, FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The ?Service Engine Soon? (MIL) lamp is illuminated and engine power reduction is perceived. This situation can occur after driving for some time with the engine at full operating temperature. If theignition is cycled, the engine then usually performs normally.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW Z4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2025010—
2024010—
2023030—
2022140—
2021150—
2020560—
2019560—
2016410—
2015510—
2014731—
2013731—
2012541—
2011466047.5
2010105051.1
2009224045.8
2008192045.4
2007Viewing332048.0
2006912149.0
20051900243.8
20044111247.6
20034144154.5
2002400—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.