2020 BMW Z4 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2020 BMW Z4 has a complaint index of 63, ranking 7th worst out of 17 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 5 owner complaints, 1 crash, and 6 recall campaigns, with brakes as the top-reported problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 63/100
- #7 of 17 Z4 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- 1 Park Outside
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 24 city / 31.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 BMW Z4 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes2 (40%)
- Electrical System2 (40%)
- Engine2 (40%)
- Steering2 (40%)
- Other1 (20%)
- Structure & Body1 (20%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (20%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal reportedly stopped holding the car while idling forward in stop-and-go traffic, leading to a crash.
- Lane departure system reportedly pulled the steering wheel toward an adjacent lane on the freeway.
- Owners describe squeaking, whining, or grinding brake noises that worsen when water gets in and when turning the wheel left, along with suspension bottoming out over small bumps.
- Owners report the engine starter recall (fire risk from a short circuit or overheating) had no available remedy or parts months after the campaign was announced.
- Owners report actual engine starter failures matching the starter motor recall description, with the vehicle failing to start.
2020 BMW Z4 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 BMW Z4 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2020 Z4 a complaint index of 63 and a Caution verdict, ranking 7th worst among 17 model years of the Z4. It has 5 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record.
- What problems does the 2020 BMW Z4 have?
- The top-reported problem area is Brakes, tied with Electrical System, Engine, and Steering at 2 complaints each (40% share). One brake-related complaint involved a crash at a median mileage of 3,150 miles.
- Does the 2020 BMW Z4 have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2020 Z4, covering the electrical system (including an engine starter fire risk with a park-outside advisory), engine, fuel system, and collision avoidance camera software.
- How does the 2020 Z4 compare to other Z4 years?
- The 2020 Z4's complaint index of 63 is worse than the 2012 Z4 (index 19, Best) and 2015 Z4 (index 25, Good), but better than early years like 2005 (index 100, Avoid).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 BMW Z4?
- The 2020 Z4 gets an EPA-rated 26.5 mpg combined (24 city / 31.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,000.