Verdict
2016 BMW Z4: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 BMW Z4 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for coupe.
Owners filed 4 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 58% of 2016 coupes. Engine And Engine Cooling leads the reports (25%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 coupes, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
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
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 58% of 2016 coupes
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 coupes by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
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.
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.
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
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
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 — fewer complaints than 58% of comparable 2016 coupes, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
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.