Model-year record
2016 BMW Z4
See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.
This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.
The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.
Complaints filed
4
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
22.5
EPA estimate
Known issues
Engine And Engine Cooling issues lead owner complaints (25% of 4 reports), followed by seat belts (25%).
Share of all 4 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11643614.
Individual complaint reports(4)
Showing the 4 most recent reportsEngine And Engine CoolingFeb 2025 · ODI 11643614Details +Close −
The contact owns a 2016 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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- Reported
- Feb 2025
- Incident date
- Oct 2024
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Unknown Or OtherAug 2024 · ODI 11610174Details +Close −
The air conditioning system has a very very foul musty smell when you first start the vehicle after sitting for a few hours. It will go away after a few minutes, but the dealer nor repair shops can fix the issue. System was cleaned, new micro air filter was installed, but still have the musty odor. Even the a/c drain was cleaned, all to no avail. This seems to be a class thing with all BMW vehicles according to the many BMW owners I have spoken with. But no one can fix the problem.
- Reported
- Aug 2024
- Incident date
- Aug 2022
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Vehicle Speed ControlMar 2020 · ODI 11317890 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +Close −
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS STOPPED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AN UNKNOWN NOISE WAS HEARD AS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF IT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONTAL AND KNEE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE BMW OF TEMPLE DEALER (6006 S GENERAL BRUCE DR, TEMPLE, TX 76502) AND WAS TOLD TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AS THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE REPORT FROM THE EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED AS HE WANTED THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE TO BE DIAGNOSED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO HM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- Reported
- Mar 2020
- Incident date
- Feb 2020
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- Crash 1 injuries
Seat BeltsSep 2016 · ODI 10908777Details +Close −
ABOUT 20% OF TIME, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT JAMS, WILL NOT RELEASE FROM RECESS/RETAINER BEHIND SEAT WITHOUT USING MY HAND FOR COUPLE MINUTES TO JIGGLE ENOUGH. NO PROBLEM ONCE I GET IT TO RELEASE. THEN FITS IN CONNECTOR AND ALSO RELEASES OK. TWO LOCAL DEALERS UNABLE TO FIX. ONE EVEN REPLACED ENTIRE MECHANISM, STILL JAMS. MANAGER SAID THIS MODEL SEEMS TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS OCCURS AT A STAND STILL, BEFORE PUTTING CAR IN GEAR, SOMETIMES WITH MOTOR ON, SOMETIME BEFORE I START THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES JUST OPENING THE DOOR CAUSES THE RELEASE. OTHER TIMES, I HAVE TO PUT MY HAND UNDER THE BELT AND MANEUVER THE BELT UNTIL IT RELATES FROM THE RETAINER INTO WHICH THE BELT RETRACTS. NO PICTURES INCLUDED. JUST A STANDARD SEAT BELT. HAD A BMW 3351 FOR 7 YEARS. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM ONCE.
- Reported
- Sep 2016
- Incident date
- Sep 2016
- Mileage
- Not provided
- Outcome flags
- None reported
Recalls(1)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Engine And Engine Cooling · 24V608000Details +Close −
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.
Remedy: 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.
Open full NHTSA recall record →A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2016 BMW Z4 C RWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
- Not rated
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z4 sDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 22 | 33 | 26 |
| Z4 sDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 | 32 | 26 |
| Z4 sDrive35is | 3.0L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 23 | 19 |
| Z4 sDrive35i | 3.0L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AM-S7) | 17 | 23 | 19 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
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Compare the year-by-year record
Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.
2016 BMW Z4: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 BMW Z4?
Owners filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 BMW Z4. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 BMW Z4?
The most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (25% of complaints) and seat belts (25%).
How many recalls does the 2016 BMW Z4 have?
1 recall has been issued that affect the 2016 BMW Z4, covering components such as engine and engine cooling. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2016 BMW Z4 get?
The EPA rates the 2016 BMW Z4 between 19 and 26 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.