Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW Z4, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Unknown or other1
- Seat belts1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 1 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 2016 BMW Z4 failed the safety check 0.43% of the time — 78% less often than the average 2016 passenger car (1.97%). Median odometer at inspection: 27,678 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2016
2,877 new BMW Z4 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2016; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (1,286), Germany (1,007), Italy (164).
- 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
In the Netherlands
85 first registered in 2016 are on Dutch roads; 35% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €55,955.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde35
- Band beschadigd11
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm11
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld8
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)8
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht8
- Band onvoldoende profiel5
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage3
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,172 cars built in 2016 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 46 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, 1,240 of these cars first registered in 2016 took their annual MOT test. 84% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2016 the figure was 79%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.2% | 6.2% |
| Road Wheels | 3.4% | 0.3% |
| Suspension | 2.8% | 4.9% |
| Visibility | 1.7% | 3.5% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.5% | 6.1% |
| Brakes | 1.3% | 4.3% |
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
5 of these cars first registered in 2016 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 52,000 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
4 2016 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 BMW Z4 C RWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 9.0–12.1 L/100 km (about 19–26 mpg US), CO₂ 211–282 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 sDrive28i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.7 | 7.0 | 9.0 |
| Z4 sDrive28i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 10.7 | 7.1 | 9.1 |
| Z4 sDrive35i · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 10.0 | 12.1 |
| Z4 sDrive35is · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 13.7 | 10.0 | 12.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2016 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… |
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.
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 2016 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. |
| 10216793 | TEC26 Turbo Charger Return |
| 10216792 | Tec25 Wishbone Return |
| 10216791 | Tech24 Snap-in Adapter Return |
| 10216758 | MINI engine oil part number transition and model year 2016 engine oils |
| 10216757 | MINI "Enhanced" dealer self authorized (DSA)K goodwill program |
| 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. |
| 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. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)