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Model year record

2003 BMW Z4 recalls & problems

The 2003 BMW Z4 has 4 safety recalls and 414 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (344 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints414filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints
2003 BMW Z4 in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsMay 24, 2004

Air bags

Recall 04V24700051 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, INCOMPATIBLE ELECTRONIC AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
Risk
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY NOT OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS. THE RECALL BEGAN JUNE 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Fuel system, gasolineApr 12, 2004

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 04V18200013,769 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, A VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL PUMP COULD OCCUR CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED FOR APPROXIMATELY 15 TO 20 MINUTES.
Risk
IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RESISTOR IN THE ELECTRICAL LINE POWERING THE FUEL PUMP IN ORDER TO PREVENT AN OCCURRENCE OF VAPOR LOCK. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 11, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
TiresJun 9, 2003

Tires

Recall 03V214000180 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TIRE HAS BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS TO THE RIM.
Risk
CONSEQUENTLY, A LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE, OR A TIRE FAILURE, COULD OCCUR. DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AND THE DRIVER'S REACTIONS, THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL UNSEAT THE TIRE FROM ITS RIM, INSPECT FOR ANY DAMAGE, AND THEN RESEAT THE TIRE TO ITS RIM. IF INSPECTION REVEALS THAT A FRONT TIRE HAS INCURRED DAMAGE DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS, IT WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 14, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Seat beltsFeb 4, 2003

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 03V0320002,635 vehicles

Problem
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CONNECTION OF THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TO THE STEEL ROPE OF THE TENSIONER DOES NOT MEET BMW SPECIFICATIONS. IN SEVERE FRONTAL CRASHES, THIS CONNECTION CAN DETACH.
Risk
IF THE CONNECTION DETACHES, THE PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE SAFETY BELT IS LIKELY TO BE IMPAIRED, AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER COULD OCCUR THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE BE MITIGATED.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT TENSIONER AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THESE PARTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 BMW Z4 Convertible w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated
2003 BMW Z4 NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Z4 Roadster

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Z4 Roadster

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Z4 Roadster

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Z4 Roadster

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Z4 Roadster

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 27 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

Z4 Roadster

20mpg combined
City / highway18 / 25 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
SteeringElectric power assist system; Hydraulic power assist system34420042,300 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module3210155,000 mi
Electrical systemWiring1410065,250 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine1100044,500 mi
StructureBody; Frame and members800059,435 mi
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission70004,800 mi
Vehicle speed control62006,498 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump60005,000 mi
SuspensionFront › Macpherson strut; Front › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Hanger,bracket5000—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch400023,000 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor4101—
Unknown or other4000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations