VehicleVerdict

2020 BMW Z4 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2020 BMW Z4 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 6 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other Z4 years?

Z4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted460 complaints2002: 6 complaints2003: 460 complaints2004: 443 complaints2005: 204 complaints2006: 107 complaints2007: 42 complaints2008: 27 complaints2009: 26 complaints2010: 10 complaints2011: 57 complaints2012: 7 complaints2013: 12 complaints2014: 10 complaints2015: 7 complaints2016: 5 complaints2019: 7 complaints2020: 8 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 2 complaints2023: 0 complaints
Z4 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Z4 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 BMW Z4 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes225%
Steering225%
Electrical System113%
Engine113%
Body & Structure113%
Suspension113%

Does the 2020 BMW Z4 have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V636000Electrical SystemSeptember 23, 2025 · 199,674 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 BMW 330i, 2019-2022 BMW Z4, 2020-2022 BMW 530i, X3, X4, Toyota Supra, 2021-2022 BMW 430i, 430i Convertible, and 2022 BMW 230i vehicles. The engine starter relay may corrode, causing the relay to overheat and short circuit.

Consequence

A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning November 14, 2025.

21V598000EngineAugust 2, 2021 · 50,024 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 M340i, M340i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive, 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. During engine start, the engine management software may cause loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.

Consequence

Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V700000Fuel SystemNovember 12, 2020 · 49 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Z4 and 2020-2021 Toyota Supra vehicles. The weld between the fuel tank halves may have been insufficiently welded, causing the weld to fail.

Consequence

The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

20V516000LightingAugust 27, 2020 · 4,265 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Z4 sDrive30i, Z4 M40i and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlamps are able to be adjusted horizontally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

Should the headlamps be adjusted horizontally, there could be increased glare and reduced visibility for oncoming drivers, or reduced visibility for the vehicle operator, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp vertical and horizontal adjustment plugs, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. BMW owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

19V850000LightingNovember 27, 2019 · 245 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020 Z4 M40i, Z4 sDrive30i, 330i and 330i xDrive vehicles as well as 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The headlight control units may fail causing a loss of one or both of the headlights.

Consequence

Headlight failure can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the headlight control units, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 17, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

19V684000Driver AssistanceSeptember 27, 2019 · 257,473 units

Defect

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i, X4 M, X7 xDrive, X7 M50i, 740Li, 740Li xDrive, 750Li, 750Li xDrive, 8 Series Convertible and Coupe 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, X5 sDrive, X5 xDrive, X5 M50i, X6 xDrive, X6 M50i, 330i, 330i xDrive, M340i, M340i xDrive, Z4 sDrive, Z4 M40i, 740Le xDrive and 745Le xDrive, 2018-2019 640i xDrive Gran Turismo and Rolls-Royce Phantom, 2019 M850i xDrive Gran Coupe and Rolls-Royce Cullinan and 2020 Toyota Supra vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WAS IN A DRIVE THRU ON 9/6/2020 WAITING OUR TURN. APPROX. 7 CARS IN FRONT OF US. AS WE ARE SLOWLY MOVING UP TO ORDER, CAR IN IDLE, FOOT ON BRAKE. AS WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, WHEN WE WERE UP TO 3 CARS, STILL IDLING AND FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR HAD FULLY ACCELERATED, BRAKE NOT HOLDING THE CAR, INCHING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 6, 2020 · crash

“BMW'S LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM ACTUALLY PULLS THE CAR'S STEERING LEFT OR RIGHT, AND COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO COLLIDE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE OR RUN OFF THE ROAD. I EXPERIENCED THIS WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. THE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM ALMOST PULLED MY VEHICLE INTO THE ADJACENT LANE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 12, 2019

“DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THERE IS MAJOR SQUEAKING/WHINING/GRINDING NOISE IF EVEN A TINY BIT OF WATER GETS IN THERE AND LAST COUPLE DAYS AFTER THAT. AND WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT THE SQUEAKING/WHINING GETS LOUDER. AND WHEN DOES DO THIS THE SUSPENSION IF YOU HIT EVEN A SMALL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 11, 2020

“WAS IN A DRIVE THRU ON 9/6/2020 WAITING OUR TURN. APPROX. 7 CARS IN FRONT OF US. AS WE ARE SLOWLY MOVING UP TO ORDER, CAR IN IDLE, FOOT ON BRAKE. AS WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, WHEN WE WERE UP TO 3 CARS, STILL IDLING AND FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR HAD FULLY ACCELERATED, BRAKE NOT HOLDING THE CAR, INCHING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 6, 2020 · crash

“WAS IN A DRIVE THRU ON 9/6/2020 WAITING OUR TURN. APPROX. 7 CARS IN FRONT OF US. AS WE ARE SLOWLY MOVING UP TO ORDER, CAR IN IDLE, FOOT ON BRAKE. AS WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, WHEN WE WERE UP TO 3 CARS, STILL IDLING AND FOOT ON BRAKE, THE CAR HAD FULLY ACCELERATED, BRAKE NOT HOLDING THE CAR, INCHING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 6, 2020 · crash

2020 BMW Z4 — common questions

Is the 2020 BMW Z4 reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 6 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2020 BMW Z4 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 BMW Z4. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which BMW Z4 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Z4 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2007. The cleanest record among Z4 years belongs to 2023.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.