2010 BMW Z4 Problems & Complaints

Better than average46% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Z4 at the same age

Owners have filed 10 complaints about the 2010 BMW Z4 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 46% fewer than a typical Z4 model year at the same age, making the 2010 one of the better Z4 years. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (4 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles). 5 recalls cover this model year.

10complaints
5recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2010 BMW Z4 problems

  • Engine & cooling~9,000 miles
    440%
  • Brakes~2,000 miles
    110%
  • Wheels & tires~7,000 miles
    110%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~0 miles
    110%
  • Electrical system~10,000 miles
    110%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~68,000 miles
    110%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~161,000 miles
    110%

Share of the 10 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

BMW Z4 complaints by model year

’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’19’20’21’22’2341441119191331922104657755511
Owner complaints per model year, BMW Z4. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Z4 years: 2012, 2015, 2021. Years to avoid: 2011, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006. Compare all years →

2010 BMW Z4 recalls (5)

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 23V-707 · Oct 20, 2023 · 157,796 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024.

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA recall 22V-119 · Mar 2, 2022 · 917,106 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon…

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of…

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA recall 17V-683 · Oct 30, 2017 · 740,561 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018.

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 14V-176 · Apr 10, 2014 · 156,137 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge.

Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers

NHTSA recall 13V-044 · Feb 7, 2013 · 516,791 vehicles

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons…

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013.

What 2010 BMW Z4 owners say

Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2010 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms tools are not available

Jun 2022

Whenever slowing down to a near stop, the engine will randomly stall. This can occur at anytime, but is more likely to occur when the outside air temperature is in the 90's or above (it will stall in cold temperature as well, but not as often). The engine temperature at the time of the stall is always completely normal, the car is not overheating in anyway. It is also more likely to occur in "sport mode". This issue only effects BMW e89 3.0 automatics. An automatic should never stall. Once the engine stalls you are forced to stop the car in order to restart to move. This issue is occurring world-wide. I have taken the car to the BMW dealer in austin, tx to look into this issue. They stated that there were no error codes present in the computer. The check engine light is not on. I had a BMW shop foreman drive with me and we reproduced the engine stall as we approached a stoplight. …

9,000 miles · Jun 2010

2010 BMW Z4 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automaticRWD18 / 28 / 22
3.0L 6-cyl6-speed manualRWD18 / 28 / 22
3.0L 6-cyl turbo7-speed automaticRWD17 / 24 / 20
3.0L 6-cyl turbo6-speed manualRWD18 / 25 / 20

EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 BMW Z4 a good car?

Based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Z4 rates better than average: 46% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Z4 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2010 BMW Z4?

The engine & cooling — 4 complaints, 40% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (1) and wheels & tires (1).

How many recalls does the 2010 BMW Z4 have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2010 BMW Z4, the most recent from October 20, 2023 (engine). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the BMW Z4?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2015 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. See the full BMW Z4 years comparison.

At what mileage do 2010 BMW Z4 problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 9,000 miles; 75% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.