2013 BMW Z4 recalls and problems

The 2013 BMW Z4 has 4 safety recalls and 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any BMW dealer.

Urgent: recall 26V-733 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
4
Complaints
7
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2013 BMW Z4 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2013 BMW Z4 recalls

Recall 26V-733: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling

Park outsideReported Nov 4, 2026 · 720,796 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

Risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire.

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.

Recall 24V-608: Electrical System, Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Aug 13, 2024 · 720,796 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

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.

Recall 14V-627: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 7, 2014 · 8,988 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

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

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.

Recall 13V-454: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Sep 26, 2013 · 76,191 vehicles affected · BMW of North America, LLC

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.

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

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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

2013 BMW Z4 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System3
Air Bags2
Structure2
Steering1
Wheels1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1
Engine and Engine Cooling1
Service Brakes1

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 52,954 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2013 BMW Z4 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Feb 27, 2025
I got my car serviced at BMW of Tucson in 2022 and they ruined the electrical in my car. Additionally, they might have created another key. I also noticed that my software was downgraded by them and the alarm stopped working correctly.
Engine and Engine Cooling · reported Oct 29, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System ); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. No further information was available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirm parts not available.
Electrical System · at 52,954 miles · reported Apr 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2013 BMW Z4. The contact stated that upon the start of the vehicle, the vehicle failed to reverse without warning upon depression of the accelerator pedal while in the reverse(R) position. The contact stated that the vehicle resumed normal operation upon restart of the engine. A few days later while the contact's husband was driving at 30 MPH, the vehicle continued to accelerate upon depression of the brake pedal. The brake pedal was depressed multiple times but to no avail, as a result, the contact's husband crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not upon impact and…
Air Bags · at 70,000 miles · reported May 15, 2017
The contact owns a 2013 bmw z4. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator and "passenger side seat belt not on" indicator illuminated. When the passenger exited the vehicle, the indicators dimmed. The contact also stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated two other times. The dealer diagnosed that the map sensor needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Steering · at 24,345 miles · reported Oct 27, 2016
Just purchased a used bmw z4 and realize that the steering is sticky. In researching this problem found that this had been a a safety issue that resulted in a recall. My car was manufactured in 2012 when there was a safety recall on a steering issue. While my car is a 2013 it was manufactured as noted during the time of the steering recall. It appears that my problem may not be just a coincident. The sticky steering occurs whenever the speed is above 30 MPH and feels as if the steering is trying to stay in a direction contrary to the direction in which I'm trying to steer.

Other BMW Z4 years

Compare all BMW Z4 years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 BMW Z4 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2013 BMW Z4: 26V-733 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling), 24V-608 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling), 14V-627 (service brakes, hydraulic), 13V-454 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 BMW Z4?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (3 reports), followed by air bags (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 52,954 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.