2008 BMW Z4: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 19 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags; the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2008 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2022
“Idling in gear (automatic transmission) at a drive thru. Car suddenly tried to accelerate. Put car in park and engine continued to increase to max rpms. I shut off the engine at the ignition. Restarted engine and idled normally.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Apr 2021
“Recently purchased a 2008 bmw z4. After a week of ownership the airbag light came on. Fault code points to the passenger seat occupancy sensor oc3. Bmw issued a 15 year extended warranty to many bmw models including the 2006 and 2007 z4 with comfort seats, but not to the 2008 model. This repair costs upwards of $1500 and is safety related. Bmw needs to step up and cover all affected models!”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw z4. The contact stated that for several months the air bag warning indicator was flashing. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was constantly illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2019
“The airbag red light on dash appeared and stayed on,also passenger yellow airbag light stays on .took to bmw dealer they informed me that the passenger seat occupancy sensor mat was defective and needed to be replaced at a cost around 1,600.00 . Error code 93c3 they informed me with this problem I do not have any airbag protection . This is a safety problem and I believe they have repaired other models but not this model . Why ?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“Dashboard airbag warning light came on - obd scan indicates the passenger seat oc3 airbag sensor mat has failed. I believe this means the vehicle can no longer detect if there is a child in the passenger seat, and will deploy airbags regardless of passenger weight. Bmw has a service bulletin for many other models and years (including my z4 model - but not yet for my 2008 model year).”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that the recall parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. *tt”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2008 bmw z4. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the parts were unavailable for the repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2017
“Takata recall airbag light on at all times on the instrument cluster. A scan of the vehicle shows a defective passenger seat cushion sensor. Resetting the light with the scan tools does not fix the problem, the light goes back on immediately and stays on whether there is a passenger seated in the vehicle or not. It does not make a difference if the vehicle is stationary or moving. I purchased the vehicle used on may 7th 2016 and the light was on when I purchased the vehicle.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“Light indicating passenger airbag was disabled began coming on while passenger in the seat. Within a few weeks of noticing this, passenger airbag always indicates off. Many 08 models were recalled for passenger airbag mat failures, but not the z4 (too few cars made?) I called bmw-usa and a case agent called me back. Bmw would take no responsibility for the failure.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2016
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
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 charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2008 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Z4 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 BMW Z4 reliable?
NHTSA has 19 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 BMW Z4. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2008 BMW Z4 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.