2019 BMW Z4 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 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
- Engine228.6%
- Airbags114.3%
- Body & structure114.3%
- Driver assistance114.3%
- Electrical114.3%
- Steering114.3%
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
My grill shutters are faulty and the problem has been persistent and the vehicle is only at 30,000 miles. This is the same part that was issued an extended service contract by BMW for various other models. I believe my model is rare enough to not be included but it should. The existing recall/warranty is “SIB 01 12 19 FRONT GRILLE UPPER/LOWER ACTIVE AIR FLAPS: LTD WTY EXT TO 15 YEARS/150,000 MILES” and I believe mine should be included in this as it is the same engine as these various models. The grill shutters are experiencing the same fault and they do not open and close properly as the models listed. I receive code P05AF which is signals the lower shutters are not closing.
MY NEW CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND I HAVE BOUGHT IT INTO SERVICE APPOX 5 TIMES. THE LIGHT GOES OFF AND WHEN I GET IT HOME IT GOES ON AGAIN WHEN I START THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT WAS FIXED. HOWEVER IT CAME ON AGAIN AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The automatic emergency did not engage the brakes as described to by the dealer, BMW genius and the BMW website. The car was in a collision at low speed (under 35mph) with the car in front of me which put me at risk. BMW sent an engineer from N.J. to inspect the car. The is under warranty and it was in perfect working order. The engineer determined that the system did not engage because the accelerator was depressed, I was told that the system does not work when the accelerator is depressed but that is not how the system is advertised and it is not how it was described in ALL of the BMW marketing materials.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The automatic emergency did not engage the brakes as described to by the dealer, BMW genius and the BMW website. The car was in a collision at low speed (under 35mph) with the car in front of me which put me at risk. BMW sent an engineer from N.J. to inspect the car. The is under warranty and it was in perfect working order. The engineer determined that the system did not engage because the accelerator was depressed, I was told that the system does not work when the accelerator is depressed but that is not how the system is advertised and it is not how it was described in ALL of the BMW marketing materials.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The automatic emergency did not engage the brakes as described to by the dealer, BMW genius and the BMW website. The car was in a collision at low speed (under 35mph) with the car in front of me which put me at risk. BMW sent an engineer from N.J. to inspect the car. The is under warranty and it was in perfect working order. The engineer determined that the system did not engage because the accelerator was depressed, I was told that the system does not work when the accelerator is depressed but that is not how the system is advertised and it is not how it was described in ALL of the BMW marketing materials.
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V636000 (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 dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Reporting premature part fail. -The 2019 BMW has 14,300 miles. The vehicle recently failed VT state inspection for "Play in control arm ball joints" Normal ball joint replacement is usually in the 60,000 mile range. The 1st recommended check of steering components per BMW service manual is is "6th engine oil service (approx 60,000 miles)". There was no warning of the premature fail. The failed parts will be replaced and used parts preserved for inspection if needed.
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .