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2011 BMW Z4

6 recalls Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #23V707000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The VANOS unit in your engine is a critical part that helps your engine run smoothly. It's held in place by four special bolts made of aluminum, which can loosen over time and potentially break.
Risk if Unfixed
If the VANOS bolts loosen or break, your engine could stall while you're driving, making it hard to control the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the four VANOS bolts with stronger ones, at no cost to you. This repair is free, and you should contact your dealer to schedule it as soon as you receive your recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2010-2012 1 Series Coupe, 1 Series Convertible, 3 Series Sedan, 3 Series Convertible, 2010-2011 3 Series Sportswagon, 3 Series Coupe, 5 Series Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, X3 xDrive 30i, X5 xDrive30i, and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The aluminum bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
Loose or broken VANOS unit bolts can result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
Dealers will replace the four VANOS bolts, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed December 18, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #22V119000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The PCV valve in your vehicle is a crucial part that helps regulate gases in your engine. It's got a small heater to keep it working properly, but in some 2006-2013 models, this heater can short circuit.
Risk if Unfixed
If the heater shorts out, it can cause a fire, either while you're driving or shortly after parking your car. This is a serious risk that could lead to a loss of control or even a serious burn injury.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will install a new wiring harness with a fuse to protect the PCV valve heater, completely free of charge. You'll get a recall notice with instructions on how to schedule the repair, and you should do it as soon as possible to ensure your safety.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #17V683000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The PCV valve is a small device that helps your engine breathe and reduce emissions. In some 2007-2011 BMW models, the heater for the PCV valve can malfunction and cause a short circuit.
Risk if Unfixed
If the PCV valve's heater shorts, the parts inside it could melt and cause a fire, even when your car is parked and not in use, posing a significant risk of a vehicle fire.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty PCV valve heater with a new one, at no cost to you. You should schedule the repair as soon as you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Original — 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.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #17V067000 Plain English
Component

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The CV joint is a flexible elbow that connects your transmission to your wheels. In certain 2011-2012 BMW models, this joint could weaken and break, causing problems.
Risk if Unfixed
If the CV joint breaks, you'll lose power to your wheels, making it harder to control your vehicle. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will inspect and replace the CV joint, free of charge. This repair is included, so there's no cost to you. Schedule it with your dealer as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 1 Series M Coupe and 135i Convertible vehicles, 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i, 335i, 335d, 335i Coupe, 335is Coupe, 335i Convertible, 335is Convertible, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535i Gran Turismo and 550i xDrive Gran Turismo vehicles and 2012 740i and 740Li vehicles. The rear driveshaft constant velocity (CV) joint on the affected vehicles may fatigue and break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the CV joint breaks, the vehicle may have a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear driveshaft CV joint and, based on its production date, will replace it, free of charge. The recall began April 21, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #14V176000 Plain English
Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The VANOS unit in your engine helps control the timing of your valves. It's held in place by four bolts that can loosen over time, which could cause engine problems.
Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts come loose, your engine might lose power or stall while you're driving. This could make it hard to control your vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units, free of charge. This repair should be done as soon as possible after you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i Coupe, 135i Convertible, 335i Sedan, X5 xDrive 35i, and X6 xDrive 35i, 2011 335i xDrive Sedan, 335i Coupe, 335i Convertible, 528i Sedan, 535i Sedan, 535i xDrive Sedan, X3 xDrive 28i, and X3 xDrive 35i, 2010 X3 xDrive 30i, and X5 xDrive 30i, 2012 640i Coupe, and 640i Convertible and 2010-2012 535i Gran Turismo vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the bolts that secure the housing for the variable camshaft timing adjustment (VANOS) unit can loosen over time and may possibly break.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the bolts loosen or break the engine may have reduced power or stall. An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately 170,172 model year 2010-2012 BMW vehicles equipped with inline 6 cylinder engines not covered by this recall, will receive an extended warranty to address this condition. The recall began on September 24, 2014. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-525-7417.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #13V044000 Plain English
Component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
What Happened
The positive battery cable connector in your vehicle is a crucial link between the battery and the fuse box. It's prone to wearing out over time, especially when carrying high electrical currents.
Risk if Unfixed
If this connector fails, your car's electrical system could shut down, causing it to stall unexpectedly on the road. This could lead to a loss of power steering and brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your BMW dealer will replace the faulty connector with a more reliable one and secure it properly — all at no cost to you. Just wait for the recall notice and schedule the repair when it's convenient.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Original — Remedy
BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4 recalls
POWER TRAIN
1 recall
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 recall

Other BMW Z4 Years

2023
2 recalls
2022
3 recalls
2021
5 recalls
2020
6 recalls
2019
6 recalls
2016
1 recall
2015
1 recall
2014
3 recalls
2013
3 recalls
2012
4 recalls
2010
5 recalls
2009
4 recalls
2008
2 recalls
2007
2 recalls
2006
2 recalls
2004
1 recall
2003
4 recalls

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