RoadVitals

2015 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.
5
Latest Oct 2, 2025
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.
1
Latest Aug 13, 2024
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 BMW Z4, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 80 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

  • Engine342.9%
  • Electrical228.6%
  • Exterior lighting114.3%
  • Powertrain (other)114.3%

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

1 campaign 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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:CONNECTORS/PLUGS/RECEPTACLES; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:PUMP

Aug 13, 2024
720,796 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2025

My 2015 BMW Z4 vehicle has a coolant pump safety recall. It reportedly could cause a short circuit and thermal event or fire. I bought the vehicle while living elsewhere and am now in a small community with 4 major automobile dealers but not BMW. The nearest BMW dealer is about 220 miles away. I contacted that dealer. The service rep said it is 1.5-2 day repair and a loaner vehicle may be available. The repair time sounds wrong but is what she said. She said the dealership would not work with any facility close to me to make the repair so I must drive the 440 plus round trip miles for BMW dealer repair. Repair of 1.5 to 2 days means I would either need lodging and waste least 2-3 days of my time or drive back home with a 2nd trip to the dealer to return a loaner and get my car, 880 miles and many hours driving. Even a 1 day repair means 440 miles and many hours. Called BMW Recall Hotline at [XXX] & explained my situation. They declined help saying the dealer decides how the repair is handled. I called BMW Customer Service [XXX] . They declined help & said a BMW dealer must repair unless it wants to work with another repair facility. I submitted a web-form message on BMW's corporate website online message portal outlining the problem and requesting help to get the safety recall fix completed in a convenient manner; asked to escalate if possible. They replied 3 days later declining to help saying: "The recall would have to be performed at a BMW dealership. Unfortunately, towing assistance is not available for this recall. If you would like to have the repair performed at another mechanic, It would be a non-reimbursable out of pocket expense. I would not be able to submit an escalation in this matter because it does not meet the criteria to be escalated. I apologize about an inconvenience this may cause." This seems unreasonable for a safety recall that could cause a car fire. Can NHTSA please help me obtain a reasonably convenient repair from BMW? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

NHTSA ID
11691012
Incident
Sep 23, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 11, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 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. 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
11666290
Incident
Sep 11, 2024
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2015 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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11647400
Incident
Mar 10, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 15, 2018

HEADLIGHTS ARE POINTING DIRECTLY AT THE GROUND WITHIN 15-20 FEET OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR. DRIVING AT NIGHT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HIGH BEAMS LIT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS YOU CANNOT SEE FAR ENOUGH DOWN THE ROAD TO AVOID OBSTACLES. THIS WAS CORRECTED PREVIOUSLY AND THROUGH NORMAL OPERATION THE AIMING ADJUST SENSOR IN THE REAR KEEPS FLIPPING OVER CENTER DRIVING THE AIM DOWN.

NHTSA ID
11111382
Incident
Jul 14, 2018
Mileage
21,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 11, 2015

I HAD A VERY FRIGHTENING TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTION ON SATURDAY, MARCH 7 IN MY 2015 Z4 (THREE MONTHS OLD). I WAS HEADING DOWN A SLOPE INTO A PARKING LOT AND STOPPED TO PICK UP A TICKET AT THE KIOSK. THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ONCE I GOT THE TICKET, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STARTED DRIVING BACKWARDS! I STOPPED IMMEDIATELY (LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE CLOSE BEHIND ME) AND TRIED AGAIN. SAME THING. SO, I PUT IT IN PARK, THEN BACK IN DRIVE AND IT DROVE NORMALLY. FINE. FROM THERE, I HAD TO GO TO THE STORE. WHEN I GOT THERE, I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE (AND THE KEY WAS IN MY PURSE) AND, OF COURSE, IT WENT AUTOMATICALLY INTO PARK, AS IT ALWAYS DOES WHEN IT TURNS OFF. SITTING IN MY PARKED CAR, I WENT TO GET SOME STUFF OUT OF MY PURSE AND WITH THE ENGINE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF, BEFORE MY VERY EYES THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND MY CAR STARTED MOVING BACKWARDS. I QUICKLY HIT THE BRAKE AND PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. BMW ASSIST CAME OUT TO PICK UP THE CAR AND BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE. EVERYONE AGREES THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING, BUT IT IS 100% TRUE AND SCARED THE LIFE OUT OF ME. I'M AFRAID TO GO BACK IN MY CAR, NOW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10693730
Incident
Mar 7, 2015
Mileage
1,424 mi

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.

B662719

LANE DEPARTURE

The Lane Change Warning (LCW) yellow triangle symbol on either one, or both the exterior side view mirrors does not illuminate to alert the driver when it should.

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.

B110317

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

For the above-referenced vehicles, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) is extending the limited warranty for the engine timing chain and oil pump drive chain modules to: 7 years/70,000 miles as determined by the vehicle's original in-service date.

B110221

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CHAIN/BELT

With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Gelis, et al. v. Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and BMW of North America, LLC.

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
2015Viewing510
2014731
2013731
2012541
2011466047.5
2010105051.1
2009224045.8
2008192045.4
2007332048.0
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.