YearToAvoid

2020 BMW Z4 Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#4 most-complained of 12 Z4 years

The 2020 BMW Z4 has 5 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls, with a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 4th worst of 12 model years. Brakes are the top problem area, and the verdict is Caution relative to other Z4 years.

Complaints
5
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
26.5
24 city / 31.5 hwy

Top 2020 BMW Z4 problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes2 (40%)
  2. Electrical System2 (40%)
  3. Engine2 (40%)
  4. Steering2 (40%)
  5. Other1 (20%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (20%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (20%)

What owners report

  • Brakes reportedly fail to hold the car in stop-and-go traffic, letting it inch forward even with the foot on the brake pedal.
  • Owners describe squeaking, whining, or grinding brake noises that worsen when water gets into the system or when turning the steering wheel.
  • The lane departure system reportedly pulls the steering wheel toward another lane on the freeway, raising collision risk.
  • Some owners report the engine starter failing, with a repair shop diagnosing a shorted or faulty starter assembly.
  • Owners note the engine starter recall was announced with no confirmed repair or parts available for months afterward, raising fire-risk concerns.
2020 BMW Z4 complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2019Oct 2020Nov 2020Feb 2026Jul 2026
11 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2019 to Jul 2026; peak Oct 2020 (3).

2020 BMW Z4 recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V636000Sep 23, 2025Electrical System199,674 vehiclesPark Outside

    Electrical system:starter assembly:relay

    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.

    Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.

    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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.

  2. NHTSA 21V598000Aug 2, 2021Engine50,024 vehicles

    Engine

    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. Full mechanical braking (without assist) remains available.

    Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 20V700000Nov 12, 2020Fuel System49 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly

    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.

    Risk: The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

    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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2020 BMW Z4 →

2020 BMW Z4 fuel economy and fuel cost

City
24 MPG
Highway
31.5 MPG
Combined
26.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,000
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Z4 years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201020112012201320142015201620192020202120222023
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016No verdict824122.5
2019Caution645628
2020Caution735626.5
2021No verdict91526.5
2022No verdict181326.5

All BMW Z4 years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 BMW Z4 reliable?
NHTSA lists 5 complaints and 6 recalls for the 2020 Z4, giving it a Complaint Index of 73 and a Caution verdict compared to other Z4 model years.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2020 BMW Z4?
Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 3,150 miles.
Does the 2020 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Z4, covering the electrical system, engine, fuel system, and collision avoidance/camera systems, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2020 Z4 compare to other years?
The 2020 Z4 ranks 4th worst out of 12 model years with data, behind the 2011 Z4, which has a Complaint Index of 100 and an Avoid verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW Z4?
The EPA rates the 2020 Z4 at 26.5 mpg combined (24 city / 31.5 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $3,000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.