2011 BMW Z4 Problems

October, 9, 2024 BMW USA Customer Relations, Recall Services Ms. Ikevia, Thank you following up. My 2021 claim regarding the 2011 BMW Z4 Vanos Bolts recall has been pending since April, 2021. My Z4 almost destroyed itself, after having been left off your recall list. December, 2023 BMW USA provided me written notice my VIN had been added to the recall list so I will be reimbursed for the costly repair. I hope you will help your colleagues who are stonewalling to appreciate my patience as well as my willingness to fight for reimbursement for as long as it takes You do have all my information in your Vanos Bolts Recall file, including detailed photos from my Syncro Car Care professionals who did the repair when you declined to help me. My VIN which is: [XXX] - 2011 Z4 3.0 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I have written to you previously to advise of repeated engine issues with my vehicle, a 2011 BMW Z4. I also included invoices of work that was done over time to correct a likely Engineering flaw that caused excessive fuel injector failure. In 2021, there was a 10 year extended warranty to replace them. Prior and after the warranty work, there was almost constant engine misfires and engine warning lights resulting in decreased engine performance, and low oil lights that came on every 300+ miles driven. My recent issue with the car involves a starter quitting while driving at 70mph on [XXX]. It was terrifying. It's impossible to put into words that death was imminent. On [XXX], we were traveling to Orangeburg, SC when the car suddenly "died" on the highway. Once we recovered from our shock, we had the vehicle towed to a local shop. The owner advised us that it needed a new starter. Once that was replaced, the car started with a severe screeching noise. After further assessment, it was determined that there was a bent piston rod and that the engine would have rebuilt or replaced. I, a former automotive Engineer, believe that there was an inherent design flaw that caused the car to excessively use oil. Interestingly, I purchased a new BMW and as a condition of sale, was required to sign a document that I would not sue BMW or participate in a class action lawsuit. I was not provided with a copy of the form that was signed, but doubt that it would be upheld in court. BMW needs to be held accountable for their products and their performance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 STEERING. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!! THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL RETURNED. ON APRIL 4 I LOST THE STEERING CONTROL AGAIN AND TOOK IT TO A BMW REPAIR SHOP. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL). UPON INVESTIGATION, A SPECIFIC RECALL EXISTS FOR 2012 BMW Z4 REGARDING THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM. (NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #12V302000: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.) THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTES THAT, AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THE EPS MODULE MAY FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THAT CASE, THE WARNING SYMBOL IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL NO LONGER APPEAR, AND THE AUDIBLE WARNING WILL NOT ACTIVATE. HOWEVER THE CONDITION MAY OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING WITH MY CAR AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. THE CAMPAIGN COVERS 2012 Z4'S AND COVERED SOME CARS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 2011. HOWEVER, THE VIN FOR MY 2011 BMW Z4 SDRIVE 30I E89 N52K (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) IS WBALM5C58BE162421 AND IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 04/2010. THE EPS IN MY 2011 BMW Z4 IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE EPS THAT IS COVERED IN THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #12V302000: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.) CLEARLY MY 2011 BMW Z4 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WHICH REQUIRES A 4 HR REPAIR BY A CERTIFIED BMW DEALER AND REPLACEMENT OF THE EPS UNIT. FOR Z4 MODELS THE TECHNICIANS ARE TO REFER TO REPAIR INSTRUCTION 32 13 370, "REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) ELECTRIC STEERING BOX (EPS)." E89 STEERING GEAR PART # 32 10 6 855 888. PLUS FOLLOWING PARTS: ASA BOLT (#32 10 6 773 068); HEX NUT (#33 32 6 768 884); TORX BOLT (#32 30 6 778 609); COMBINATION NUT (#33 30 6 787 062). ALL ABOVE REFERENCED PARTS WERE LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. !

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. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.

THE WHEELS ON THE CAR DEVELOPED HAIR LINE FRACTURES, ONE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED TO THE POINT IT WOULD NOT KEEP INFLATED. GOOGLE HAS MANY COMPLAINTS POSTED , I INQUIRED TO BMW DEALER WITHOUT RESOLVE. I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE WHEELS AT MY EXPENSE.

THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS WHEEL STYLE "296" A 19" OPTIONAL ALLOY WHEEL PACKAGE FOR E89 BMW Z4. BMW PART NUMBER 36116785257(REAR WHEEL 19X9) AND 36116785256(FRONT WHEEL 19X8. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MULTIPLE CRACKS DEVELOPED ON INNER EDGE OF RIM LIP LEADING TO LARGE DROP IN TIRE PRESSURE AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. THIS HAPPENED TO (1) OF MY REAR WHEELS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME PARTICULAR WHEEL MODEL "296" ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT IS NOTED IN THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=485935 CONTACTED BMWNA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY DECLINED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED WITH AN AMBER INDICATOR SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN STARTING THE CAR. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR (6SP) AND THEN GET OUT AND CHOCK THE WHEELS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWN HILL. INDEPENDANT REPAIR STATION INFORMED ME THERE WAS AN ERROR CODE - 6017 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DFA_EMF IN THE PARKING BRAKE MODULE. THIS ERROR IS IN FACT A BUG IN THE SOFTWARE AND REQUIRED A NEW VERION OF CODE TO BE LOADED AT THE BMW DEALER FOR A COST OF $430. BMW HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST 2013 AND HAS NOT ISSUED A NOTICE OR RECALL. THIS ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF BMWS NEEDS TO BE INVESIGATED DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFTEY CONCERNS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ASHEVILLE (649 NEW AIRPORT RD, FLETCHER, NC 28732, (828) 681-9900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

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 STEERING. THIS SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!! THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING CONTROL RETURNED. ON APRIL 4 I LOST THE STEERING CONTROL AGAIN AND TOOK IT TO A BMW REPAIR SHOP. THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE EPS (ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL). UPON INVESTIGATION, A SPECIFIC RECALL EXISTS FOR 2012 BMW Z4 REGARDING THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) SYSTEM. (NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #12V302000: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.) THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTES THAT, AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED, THE EPS MODULE MAY FUNCTION PROPERLY. IN THAT CASE, THE WARNING SYMBOL IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL NO LONGER APPEAR, AND THE AUDIBLE WARNING WILL NOT ACTIVATE. HOWEVER THE CONDITION MAY OCCUR AGAIN. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING WITH MY CAR AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. THE CAMPAIGN COVERS 2012 Z4'S AND COVERED SOME CARS MANUFACTURED IN LATE 2011. HOWEVER, THE VIN FOR MY 2011 BMW Z4 SDRIVE 30I E89 N52K (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) IS WBALM5C58BE162421 AND IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN 04/2010. THE EPS IN MY 2011 BMW Z4 IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE EPS THAT IS COVERED IN THE NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN #12V302000: ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE.) CLEARLY MY 2011 BMW Z4 SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN WHICH REQUIRES A 4 HR REPAIR BY A CERTIFIED BMW DEALER AND REPLACEMENT OF THE EPS UNIT. FOR Z4 MODELS THE TECHNICIANS ARE TO REFER TO REPAIR INSTRUCTION 32 13 370, "REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) ELECTRIC STEERING BOX (EPS)." E89 STEERING GEAR PART # 32 10 6 855 888. PLUS FOLLOWING PARTS: ASA BOLT (#32 10 6 773 068); HEX NUT (#33 32 6 768 884); TORX BOLT (#32 30 6 778 609); COMBINATION NUT (#33 30 6 787 062). ALL ABOVE REFERENCED PARTS WERE LISTED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. !

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. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.

Hello, I am writing to you about repeated repairs that I have incurred for my 2011 BMW Z4, VIN [XXX] . On [XXX] 2017, I had a BMW initiated, no cost recall/extended warranty replacement of 6 fuel injectors performed at Hilton Head BMW in Hilton Head, SC. Due to the nature of the work, it was recommended that the 6 spark plugs be replaced, which were not covered under the recall/extended warranty, and which I paid $187.71 in parts and labor for. Mileage at this time was 45,795. On [XXX], 2019, I once again had the spark plugs and ignition coils replaced at Hilton Head BMW at a cost of $1208.25 for parts and labor. Mileage at this time was 58,815. On [XXX], 2024, I had the ignition coil and spark plugs replaced again by Import Service of the Lowcountry at a cost of $840 for parts and labor. Mileage at this time was 95,977. Relative to this, I also had fuel injector replacement performed on [XXX], 2024, at a cost of $724.29 for parts and labor. Lastly, the valve cover and #2 fuel injector failed and were replaced on [XXX], 2024 at a cost of $1843.14. Mileage at this time was 97,125. I am seeking $4803.59 in reimbursement costs for a repeated field defect that is known to BMW, and for which they have failed to correct through recall/extended warranty mitigation. All of these instances caused me to lose power while driving in traffic, putting me at serious risk for injury. Please find attached copies of the receipts for the above work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

In Sept. 2018, the car was serviced but died after leaving the BMW service center. BMW paid for towing after discovering a frayed ribbed v-belt, which they replaced at no cost. In Nov. 2021, the oil gauge was indicating a problem and the car was then serviced at the same BMW service center. The technician was shocked to find broken pieces of an old drive belt stuck in suction tube. They took a video and then replaced the leaking oil pan gasket and gasket rings. Despite the risk of serious bodily harm or death if the engine had suddenly failed on the highway, BMW service center could not explain how pieces of the old drive belt got into the suction tube. They could not tell us that this problem would not happen again. This problem is not limited to BMW; however, at least one other car manufacturer has taken steps to prevent this problem.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I PURCHASED THIS OVER $30,000 EXPENSIVE LEMON ON DECEMBER 2,2015. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER MORE THAN I'VE DRIVEN IT. MY EXPENSIVE LEMON OF AN INVESTMENT IS CURRENTLY AT THE BMW MIDTOWN SERVICE CENTER WAITING ON THE ARRIVAL OF ITS NEW ENGINE FROM GERMANY. I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE WEEKS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE. THE RESOLUTION OFFERED TO ME IS NOT APPRECIATED BY ME. PLEASE ANY FEEDBACK FROM BMW IS WELCOMED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

MY BMW Z4 2011 STALLED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AS MY CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE AND CONTACTED BMW USA. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A DASH CAMERA AND CAPTURED THE STALLING ON THE THIRD INCIDENT AND PROVIDED THEM THE FOOTAGE. BMW USA DID A VISUAL INSPECTION AND CLAIMED THAT MY AFTER-MARKET LED LIGHT BULB IN MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WAS THE CAUSE OF MY STALLING WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY DOCUMENTATION OR TESTING. BASED ON THEIR CONCLUSIONS, THEY VOIDED MY ELECTRICAL AND POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND DENIED ANY REPAIRS TO BE MADE BY ANY BMW DEALERSHIP PER BMW USA. THERE IS A DEFINITE ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE STALLING THAT BMW CANNOT RESOLVE AND THEY HAVE RESORTED TO BLAMING THE CONSUMER WITHOUT PROPER TESTING OR DOCUMENTATION. *TR

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I PURCHASED THIS OVER $30,000 EXPENSIVE LEMON ON DECEMBER 2,2015. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER MORE THAN I'VE DRIVEN IT. MY EXPENSIVE LEMON OF AN INVESTMENT IS CURRENTLY AT THE BMW MIDTOWN SERVICE CENTER WAITING ON THE ARRIVAL OF ITS NEW ENGINE FROM GERMANY. I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE WEEKS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE. THE RESOLUTION OFFERED TO ME IS NOT APPRECIATED BY ME. PLEASE ANY FEEDBACK FROM BMW IS WELCOMED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF WHAT CAUSED THE SHAKING OR BRAKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

IN THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 23RD, I'VE NOTICED THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR (TPM) TURN ON IN MY CAR FOR THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. IT APPEARED TO BE COMPLETELY FLAT. WITH THE RUNT FLAT TIRE, I DROVE CAREFULLY TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR TO SPECIFICATION OF 42 PSI. HOURS LATER, I CHECK THE PRESSURE TO SEE IF IT HOLDS. THE TIRE LOST SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE AND THE TPM TURNED ON AGAIN. I ONCE AGAIN WENT TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR AND HOURS LATER, IT LOST PRESSURE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY GOING COMPLETELY FLAT. IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME RIM STYLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I SUSPECT THAT THE RIM HAS A SLIGHT CRACK DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. IT SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE RIM THAT ALLOWS IT TO CRACK AND LOSE AIR PRESSURE. *TR

26SEP12 THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WILL PROVIDE A FALSE FAILURE WHEN THERE IS CERTAIN ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE (E.G. CELL TOWERS). THIS IS A RECOGNIZED FACT AS NOTED IN THE DRIVER'S MANUAL (P.71). THE ISSUE IS THAT THE SYSTEM FAILS TO RESET AFTER THE INTERFERENCE HAS PASSED AND ALL OF THE FAILURE LIGHTS REMAIN ON FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD OF TIME (FROM 2 HOURS TO 3 DAYS) BEFORE AUTOMATICALLY RESETTING. ABSENT THIS RESETTING THE CAR IS UNSAFE AS, WITHOUT A WARNING SYSTEM FOR TIRE FAILURE (EITHER LOW PRESSURE OR TREAD FAILURE), AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. THE DEALER OFFERED NO SOLUTION AS THE COMPUTER DOES NOT REGISTER A SYSTEM INCIDENT AND ALL SYSTEMS PASSED A COMPUTER CHECK ON 16AUG.. BMW NORTH AMERICA ([XXX]) COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. A PROPERLY FUNCTIONING RESET SYSTEM IS NEEDED TO INSURE SAFE OPERATION OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. PRIOR REFERENCE WORKSPACE: NHTSA HOTLINE CENTER CASE: FAILURE OF TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS CASE NUMBER: [XXX] DATE: 09/24/2012 TIME: 16:15:14 CREATION DATE: 09/22/2012 CREATION TIME: 10:09:06 DESCRIPTION: ENTERED ON 09/24/2012 AT 16:15:14 EDT (GMT-0400) BY M WHITE: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE INFORMATION CENTER. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN FILING A COMPLAINT YOU MAY CALL OUR HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 AND A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST YOU. YOU MAY ALSO VISIT OUR WEB SITE AT WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV FOR INFORMATION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

CAR HAS A STEERING PROBLEM THAT GOES IN AND OUT. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE WHEN NOT MOVING.