AI Damage2019 BMW Z4: common problems
Owners of the 2019 BMW Z4 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 166 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 166
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 40% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 20% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
- Structure: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 11.
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 69 |
| Structure | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 70 |
| Visibility | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Lane departure | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,688 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 20% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Z4 has 2 complaints (7 years in the data). This year has 5, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been…
The EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date.
- It was found that the rubber mounts of the wishbone or the tension strut were not correctly pressed in due…
It was found that the rubber mounts of the wishbone or the tension strut were not correctly pressed in due to a manufacturing fault at the supplier's end. This can lead to an acoustic abnormality in the vehicle.
- The convertible top does not open or close
- For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or…
For this vehicle, the EVAP systems purge (vent) valve limited warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has been extended to 15 years / 150,000 miles as determined from the original in-service date. This…
- EVAP SYSTEM PURGE (VENT) VALVE EXT LTD WTY (ELW) 15/150
- An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in…
An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and air-conditioning unit in thecenter of the instrument panel. The groaning noise always occurs when either a ventilation flap, air…
- The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met
- The Central Information Display goes black intermittently due to resets of the Head Unit (HU-H3)
FaultB7F8F9 ÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂàÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂHU-H: ResetÃÂâÃÂÃÂÃÂàwill be stored in the HU-H3.
- The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few…
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…
- At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e
when parking, maneuvering)with a large steering angle, the front end can be slightly axially misaligned. This can be felt (jerking)/ heard via an acoustic acknowledgement (clunk) as seen at the 11 second mark of the…
- A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP)…
A vehicle arrives at your center to be diagnosed for a micro-leak in the fuel evaporative (EVAP) system(NVLD natural vacuum leak detection). For this condition, the following fault is stored in the DME: 190302 - fuel…
- ?The outer A-pillar trim panel (arrow) protrudes outward (circled) towards the cowl seal
NHTSA lists 166 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 BMW Z4?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, structure. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 BMW Z4?
NHTSA lists 166 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 BMW Z4 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.