Vehicle safety record

2012 BMW Z4 Problems, complaints & recalls

No owner complaints about the 2012 BMW Z4 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in November 2026 for the connectors / plugs / receptacles.

Share your experience See 5 recalls

NHTSA data checked yesterday

42/100Safety Index

CAbout as many problems as a typical Z4 year, for its age

Complaints: 0
Recalls: 5
Crashes: 0
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Deaths: 0

2012 BMW Z4 recalls 5

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Electrical system: connectors / plugs / receptacles

26V733000Nov 4, 2026720,796 vehicles affected

Park outside

The problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2016 3 Series, 5 Series, Z4, 2012-2015 X1, 2013-2017 X3, 2015-2016 4 Series Gran Coupe, 2 Series Convertible, 2014-2016 328xi Gran Turismo, 2 Series Coupe, 4 Series Convertible, 3 Series Coupe, 3 Series Sportswagon, 2015-2018 X4, and 2016-2018 X5 xDrive40e vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
The risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the recall remedy is completed. The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed in December 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 25, 2026. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 24V608. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.

Engine and engine cooling: pump

24V608000Aug 14, 2024720,796 vehicles affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.

Service brakes: hoses, lines / piping, and fittings

14V627000Oct 7, 20148,988 vehicles affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.

Service brakes: vacuum

13V454000Sep 26, 201376,191 vehicles affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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 [email protected].

Steering: electric power assist system

12V302000Jun 28, 2012162 vehicles affected

The problem: Bmw is recalling certain model year 2011 1-series active e and model year 2012 z4 vehicles. Variations in electrical current may occur within the electric power steering assistance system, leading to sudden loss of power steering assistance.
The risk: Sudden loss of steering assistance may increase the steering effort required to control the direction of a vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering assistance module, free of charge. The safety recall began during july 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations at 1-800-525-7417.

What owners say

Be the first Z4 owner to share.

2 people checked this vehicle in the last 30 days. Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

No complaints about the 2012 BMW Z4 yet

No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.

BMW Z4: every year compared

'03 '04 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 0'12 '13 '14 '15 '16 '19 '20 '21 '22 '23

Year	Recalls	Top problem	Grade
2016	2	-	B
2015	2	-	B
2014	4	-	C
2013	4	-	C
2012	5	-	C
2011	6	-	D
2010	5	-	C
2009	4	-	C
2008	2	-	B

All Z4 years

2012 BMW Z4 vs rivals

Vehicle	Complaints	Recalls	Crashes	Grade
2012 BMW Z4	0	5	0	C
2012 BMW 328I Xdrive	145	0	4	B	Compare
2012 BMW 328I	144	7	4	F	Compare
2012 BMW 335I Xdrive	36	0	3	C	Compare
2012 BMW 335I	34	3	3	F	Compare
2012 BMW 128I	31	5	2	F	Compare
2012 BMW 135I	19	6	0	F	Compare
2012 BMW 320I	3	3	0	F	Compare
2012 BMW 325I	1	0	0	A	Compare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

Questions about the 2012 BMW Z4

Does the 2012 BMW Z4 have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2012 BMW Z4: connectors / plugs / receptacles (November 2026); pump (August 2024); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (October 2014); vacuum (September 2013) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

How many complaints has the 2012 BMW Z4 had?

None have been filed with NHTSA so far.

Is the 2012 BMW Z4 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 42 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical BMW Z4 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

What should I do if my 2012 BMW Z4 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked yesterday. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data