Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2014 BMW Z4, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system3
- Engine and engine cooling2
- Tires1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Service brakes1
- Wheels1
- Air bags1
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
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 2014 Z4 vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 2 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2014 BMW Z4 failed the safety check 1.12% of the time — 51% less often than the average 2014 passenger car (2.30%). Median odometer at inspection: 39,299 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2014
5,153 new BMW Z4 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2014; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (2,068), Germany (1,830), Italy (324).
- Average mass
- 1,498 kg
- Average power
- 150 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 2014 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 | 46 |
| 2.0 petrol | 135 kW 181 hp | 36 |
| 3.0 petrol | 250 kW 335 hp | 31 |
| 2.0 petrol | 180 kW 241 hp | 24 |
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
155 first registered in 2014 are on Dutch roads; 69% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €60,805.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde94
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm24
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld20
- Band beschadigd20
- Band onvoldoende profiel17
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht16
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen8
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage5
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,813 cars built in 2014 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 90 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, 1,959 of these cars first registered in 2014 took their annual MOT test. 85% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2014 the figure was 72%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.5% | 6.8% |
| Road Wheels | 2.7% | 0.4% |
| Visibility | 2.5% | 4.3% |
| Suspension | 2.0% | 8.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2.0% | 10.0% |
| Brakes | 1.9% | 6.0% |
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
8 of these cars first registered in 2014 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 70,000 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
16 2014 cars are on the New Zealand register; 69% arrived as used imports, 31% 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 8.7–12.1 L/100 km (about 19–27 mpg US), CO₂ 200–278 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 sDrive28i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.4 | 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 | 13.7 | 10.1 | 12.1 |
| Z4 sDrive35is · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 10.1 | 12.1 |
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 2014 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 2014 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. |
| 10225127 | The Lane Change Warning (LCW) yellow triangle symbol on either one, or both the exterior side view mirrors does not illuminate to alert the driver when it should. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 10154818 | N20 AND N26 ENGINES TURBOCHARGER ELECTRIC WASTEGATE ACTUATOR LINKAGE PIN CORROSION This Service Information bulletin replaces SI B11 14 17 dated February 2018. |
| 10152345 | N20 and N26 Engine: Various VANOS System Faults Stored in DME. The Service Engine Soon lamp and Engine Malfunction warning are illuminated, and the vehicle has reduced power output. Various faults related to VANOS operation are stored in the DME. While performing the test plan, the results may appear to be inconclusive because the fault will not clear from DME fault memory. CAUSE This is due to a programming error associated with ISTA/P 2.49 and lower. The error is corrected with ISTA/P 2.50.2 or higher. |
| 10152316 | "Google(tm) Local Search Inactive. When searching for a Point of Interest (POI) in the navigation menu, the ""Google(tm) Local Search"" option cannot be selected. The POI search option ""Google(tm)Local Search"" is not activated." |
| 10152314 | Door Open Message Displayed, Even Though Door Is Closed. The customer complains that while driving, a CCM (check control message) indicates the doors are open, even though they are closed. Also, sometimes the gong will sound and the interior lights will go on and off. Unspecified FRM door lock status due to voltage variations |
| 10152306 | "N20 and N26 Engines: ETK Injector Part Number Error. INFORMATION The current version of ETK has an error on screen 13_1417: ""High -pressure pump/Tubing."" When selecting the high-pressure pump, the screen states ""only in conjunction with injector."" Disregard this statement and only replace the high-pressure pump. If injectors need to be replaced, enter the VIN of the vehicle into the ETK and select the part numbers found on screen 13_1416: ""High-pressure rail/injector/mounting."" Always enter the VIN for the vehicle into ETK when searching for parts. When the ETK is corrected, this SIB wi |
| 10151399 | The plastic oil filter housing may fail and lead to an internal and/or external engine oil or coolant leak. |
| 10151335 | Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its variants) Samsung S6 and S6 Edge device firmware. |
| 10151249 | N20 and N26 engine: Smoke from Exhaust when Starting a Cold Engine. When starting a cold engine, blue smoke can be seen emitting from the exhaust tailpipe for approximately 10-20 seconds. No turbo charger boost faults are stored and no drivability issues can be detected. CAUSE When the vehicle is parked overnight the engine oil pressure will equalize and may leak past the turbo charger exhaust side turbine seal. |
| 10151119 | SI B84 03 14 February 2016 Communication Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B84 03 14 dated October 2014. SUBJECT Bluetooth Connection Failures. There are various connectivity failures with the following devices: Apple iPhones Samsung S6 and the S6 Edge. Connectivity failure examples are: Call disconnection - Call is transferred back to the handset. In some instances the call is then transferred back to the vehicle. Contact List incomplete General connection failures CAUSE Apple iOS software (issue started with iOS 8.3 continues with iOS 9.x and its varia |
| 10151115 | SUBJECT Audio System Speaker Testing. For audio system speaker testing there is a NED (Non Electrical Diagnosis) Test Plan available. CAUSE We previously recommended use of the Audio Test CD (ATC) from BMW. This CD has been discontinued. |
| 10151079 | SI B13 03 15 February 2016 Fuel Systems Technical Service This Service Information bulletin supersedes SI B13 03 15 dated March 2015 and replaces SI B13 04 13 dated March 2014. SUBJECT N20, N26, N55, N63TU, S63TU and S55 Engines: Bosch Injector ETK Part Number Error. The current version of the ETK incorporates multiple part number errors for the Bosch type injectors. Ordering the injectors by VIN number or manual identification in ETK may result in an incorrect part number. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Loss of power assist braking
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation