Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2013 BMW Z4, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system3
- Structure2
- Air bags2
- Wheels1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Steering1
- Service brakes1
- Engine and engine cooling1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2013 BMW Z4 failed the safety check 0.94% of the time — 60% less often than the average 2013 passenger car (2.38%). Median odometer at inspection: 45,044 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2013
5,521 new BMW Z4 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2013; the largest markets were Germany (2,366), the United Kingdom (1,785), Italy (312).
- Average mass
- 1,500 kg
- Average power
- 152 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Engines
The most common engines in 2013 BMW Z4 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (115 kW, 154 hp), 2.0 petrol (135 kW, 181 hp) and 3.0 petrol (250 kW, 335 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 115 kW 154 hp | 72 |
| 2.0 petrol | 135 kW 181 hp | 46 |
| 3.0 petrol | 250 kW 335 hp | 30 |
| 2.0 petrol | 180 kW 241 hp | 22 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
209 first registered in 2013 are on Dutch roads; 68% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €58,384.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde121
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld32
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm23
- Band onvoldoende profiel18
- Band beschadigd17
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage14
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont8
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen8
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,475 cars built in 2013 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 112 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 1,605 of these cars first registered in 2013 took their annual MOT test. 80% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2013 the figure was 68%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.1% | 6.7% |
| Road Wheels | 3.8% | 0.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 3.3% | 12.5% |
| Suspension | 3.0% | 10.4% |
| Visibility | 2.7% | 4.7% |
| Brakes | 2.5% | 6.8% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
17 of these cars first registered in 2013 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 109,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
20 2013 cars are on the New Zealand register; 70% arrived as used imports, 25% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 8.7–12.2 L/100 km (about 19–27 mpg US), CO₂ 200–281 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 sDrive28i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.3 | 6.7 | 8.7 |
| Z4 sDrive28i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.8 | 7.1 | 9.1 |
| Z4 sDrive35i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.0 | 11.0 |
| Z4 sDrive35i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.9 | 10.1 | 12.2 |
| Z4 sDrive35is · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.9 | 10.1 | 12.2 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
4 Transport Canada recalls for the 2013 BMW Z4.
| 2024544 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2024468 13 Aug 2024 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, fluid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could leak on the intake air hose. As a result, the fluid could enter t… |
| 2014435 3 Oct 2014 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, a defect in manufacturing could result in a loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail, causi… |
| 2013330 27 Sept 2013 | Brakes On certain vehicles, a defect in manufacturing could result in a loss of oil supply to the vacuum pump. If this were to occur, the vacuum pump could fail, causi… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2013 BMW Z4: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | 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. |
| 10225126 | 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. |
| 10215025 | Shipping specific non-deployed vehicle safety devices to lighting resources, llc. This service Information bulletin provides information on shipping "specific" noin-deployed vehicle safety devices that are classified as Dangerous Goods (DG) to Lighting resources, LLC |
| 10215024 | The engine?s intake charge-air duct limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles applies to ?eligible USspecification |
| 10215023 | Visual Inspection of Brake discs/Rotors for new car deliveries |
| 10214947 | The engine coolant thermostat component-specific limited warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 |
| 10204656 | 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. |
| 10204619 | 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 |
| 10204534 | 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. |
| 10203331 | 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 |
| 10201140 | 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. |
| 10200487 | TELEMATICS UNIT DEACTIVATION DUE TO 3G CELLULAR TECHNOLOGY DISCONTINUATION: The discontinuation of 3G cellular communication for Combox, TCB 3G and ATM 3G (Telematics ControlModule) can no longer be supported by the cellular network provider starting February 2022. |
| 10200226 | Distribution of the following tool will be through the Automatic Tool Shipment Program |
| 10199287 | CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al |
| 10198894 | CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al |
| 10193495 | The customer complains of rattling noises from the rear window when driving on rough roads. |
| 10193494 | Butt connector for repairing a plug connection. The ?top up coolant? message is displayed in the central display (CC message ID 166). When checking the cooling system there are no leaks found and the expansion tank is filled to the proper level. |
| 10193493 | A manufacturing defect inside the electric fuel delivery unit (in-tank fuel pump) pressure-limiting valve will result in a noise while driving. This defect will not lead to fuel pump failure or loss of power. |
| 10186213 | N20 AND N26 ENGINE TIMING CHAIN AND OIL PUMP DRIVE CHAIN: Whining noise from the lower engine area near the engine oil pump that increases frequency when increasing the engine RPM. Wear on the engine oil pump chain drive and timing chain sprockets. |
| 10174032 | AUTOMATED ACTIVATION OF NAVIGATION SYSTEM DURING PDI/QC1: This Service Information Bulletin (Revision 2) replaces SI B65 22 14 dated October 2015. The INITIAL NAV enabling code no longer needs to be pre-ordered through the Parts department! When the vehicle is connected to the diagnostic system ISTA to perform PDI/QC1 the step to activate the navigation system (part of Delete Transport Mode) will automatically request the INITIAL NAV enabling code (VIN-specific) without pre-ordering the enabling code. This enabling code will be automatically delivered through ISTA and it then activates the nav |
| 10162434 | Service Action: CIC - Install Navigation Road Map Database 2013. Before delivering affected vehicles to the customer, the Car Information Computer (CIC) road map database 2013 must be installed onto the CIC internal Hard Disc Drive (HDD). |
| 10162421 | N54, N54T - Catalytic Converter Conversion Faults Stored. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp could come on with one or both of the following faults stored in the DME: * 29F4: catalytic converter conversion - bank 1 * 29F5: catalytic converter conversion - bank 2 DME software diagnostic error. |
| 10162404 | "Outside Door Mirror Moves when Locking or Unlocking the Vehicle. The door mirror tilts immediately after unlocking or locking. The mirror position does not correspond to the memory position preset by the customer. Pressing the seat memory button typically will return the mirror to the stored position. Poor electrical contacts of the mirror drive in the mirror housing INFORMATION The problem has been integrated into ISTA diagnostics. Follow the diagnosis test plan using the latest ISTA version. In Information Search, select the "Function Structure"" tab. Select Body, Mirror, Door mirror, Drive |
| 10154818 | N20 AND N26 ENGINES TURBOCHARGER ELECTRIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR LINKAGE PIN CORROSION This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 14 17 dated February 2018. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Loss of power assist braking
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation