2021 BMW Z4 Problems & Complaints

Average78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Z4 at the same age

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 BMW Z4 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is about average for the Z4 at the same age. 5 recalls cover this model year, including one with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning.

1complaints
5recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2021 BMW Z4 problems

  • Other / not specified
    1100%

Share of the 1 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 →

2021 BMW Z4 recalls (5)

Electrical system › Starter assembly

NHTSA recall 26V-056 · Jan 30, 2026 · 87,394 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Toyota Supra, 2022-2023 2 Series Coupe, 2021-2024 5 Series (xDrive), 2021-2022 Z4, 2022-2024 4 Series (Gran Coupe), 2021-2024 4 Series (Convertible and xDrive Convertible), 2021-2023 4 Series (Coupe), 2021-2024 3 Series, 2021-2023 X4, 2021-2024 X3 vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Electrical system › Starter assembly › Relay

NHTSA recall 25V-636 · Sep 23, 2025 · 199,674 vehiclesPark outside

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.

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.

Engine

NHTSA recall 21V-598 · Aug 2, 2021 · 50,024 vehicles

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.

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.

Seat belts

NHTSA recall 21V-554 · Jul 21, 2021 · 21,537 vehicles

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4 Series Convertible (430i, M440i), BMW X1 sDrive28i, xDrive28i, 2 Series Gran Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i…

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021.

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly

NHTSA recall 20V-700 · Nov 12, 2020 · 49 vehicles

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.

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.

2021 BMW Z4 engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.0L 4-cyl turbo8-speed automaticRWD25 / 32 / 28
3.0L 6-cyl turbo8-speed automaticRWD22 / 30 / 25

EPA ratings. Class: Sports car.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 BMW Z4 a good car?

Based on 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Z4 rates average: 78% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Z4 at the same age. It is one of the best Z4 years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

How many recalls does the 2021 BMW Z4 have?

There are 5 recalls for the 2021 BMW Z4, the most recent from January 30, 2026 (starter assembly). 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.

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.