2013 BMW Z4: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 7 owner complaints on record; most reports concern air bags.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2013 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System ); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. No further information was 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 confirm parts not available.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2024
“I got my car serviced at BMW of Tucson in 2022 and they ruined the electrical in my car. Additionally, they might have created another key. I also noticed that my software was downgraded by them and the alarm stopped working correctly.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2022
“S10 appropriate handling - copy of an email to bmw regarding cracks in the wheel. *ld the consumer requested to be reimbursed for expenses incurred and new set of wheels. *js”Owner report · Wheels · Mar 2018
Show 2 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2013 bmw z4. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator and "passenger side seat belt not on" indicator illuminated. When the passenger exited the vehicle, the indicators dimmed. The contact also stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated two other times. The dealer diagnosed that the map sensor needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2017
“Just purchased a used bmw z4 and realize that the steering is sticky. In researching this problem found that this had been a a safety issue that resulted in a recall. My car was manufactured in 2012 when there was a safety recall on a steering issue. While my car is a 2013 it was manufactured as noted during the time of the steering recall. It appears that my problem may not be just a coincident. The sticky steering occurs whenever the speed is above 30 mph and feels as if the steering is trying to stay in a direction contrary to the direction in which I'm trying to steer.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2013 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 2013 BMW Z4 reliable?
NHTSA has 7 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2013 BMW Z4. The most complained-about area is air bags.
Does the 2013 BMW Z4 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum. 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.