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2015 BMW Z4 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
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Latest Oct 2, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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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.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 BMW Z4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Oct 2, 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 · filed Jun 11, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · 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 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 · filed Mar 10, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 15, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Mar 11, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .