CarBrief

Almost all owner complaints about the 2004 Z4 name the steering group, 378 of 411[1][2]. One recall is on file, for a fuel pump that can stall the engine[3].

411owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 411 owner complaints for this car[1]. One mentions a crash and two mention a fire[1]. None report injuries or deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Steering. 378 complaints name steering, with a median mileage at failure of 46,000[2]. One mentions a crash and one a fire[2]. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 9 describe steering that turns sticky, notchy or locks up in hot weather or after the car sits in the sun, then eases as it cools[2]. A couple of owners say the dealer could not reproduce or fix it[2].

Air bags. 18 complaints, median 65,000 miles[6]. In a sample of 12 we read, 5 describe warning or indicator lights and 5 describe an air bag going off with no crash[6].

Electrical. 14 complaints, median 56,000 miles, with 1 fire[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 6 describe stiff or locking steering filed under this group, 3 describe a control module that owners link to door locks, wipers, windows and lights, and 2 describe water in the battery compartment[7].

Exterior lighting. 6 complaints[8]. In the 6 we read, 3 describe the same kind of control module trouble with locks, wipers and lights[8].

Power train, structure, brakes and electronic stability control each have 3 complaints[9][10][11][12]. That is too few to call a pattern.

Recalls

Fuel economy

EPA ratings use premium fuel and rear-wheel drive for every version listed.

Engine and transmission City / Highway / Combined Annual fuel cost
2.5L, Manual 5-spd[5] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
2.5L, Automatic (S5)[13] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,900
2.5L, Automatic (S6)[14] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,900
3.0L, Manual 6-spd[15] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,900
3.0L, Automatic (S5)[16] 17 / 25 / 20 $4,100
3.0L, Automatic (S6)[17] 18 / 27 / 21 $3,900

Fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists the 2004 Z4 as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[18].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 2.5L 6-cylinder and a 3.0L 6-cylinder[5][15]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2.5i convertible[19] 161 in 70 in 51 in 98 in 2,932 lb
3.0i convertible[20] 161 in 70 in 51 in 98 in 2,998 lb

How 2004 compares with other years

2003: 414 complaints, 4 recalls20032004: 411 complaints, 1 recalls41120042005: 191 complaints, 0 recalls20052006: 91 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 33 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 19 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 22 complaints, 4 recalls20092010: 10 complaints, 5 recalls2011: 46 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 5 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 7 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 7 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 5 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 4 complaints, 1 recalls2019: 5 complaints, 6 recalls20192020: 5 complaints, 6 recalls2021: 1 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 1 complaints, 3 recalls2024: 1 complaints, 0 recalls20242025: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Z4 model year. The 2004 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20034144
20044111
20051910
2006912
2007332
2008192
2009224
2010105
2011466
201254
201373
201473
201551
201641
201956
202056
202115
202213
202410
202510

The 2004 model year has 411 complaints and 1 recall[4]. Only 2003 has more complaints, with 414 and 4 recalls[4]. 2005 drops to 191 complaints and 0 recalls, and 2006 to 91 complaints and 2 recalls[4]. Every later year has 46 complaints or fewer[4].

Should you buy a used 2004 Z4?

The steering is the item to look into. It makes up 378 of the 411 complaints, and the owners we read describe it getting sticky in heat[1][2]. Test drive on a warm day if you can, and ask for service records. The fuel pump recall 04V182 is the only recall on file, so ask whether the resistor fix was done[3]. Fuel economy is 20 to 21 mpg combined for every version, so running costs are similar across them[5][13][14][15][16][17]. Complaint counts do not account for sales, so treat them as a guide to what to check, not a prediction.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 BMW Z4?
Steering is named in 378 of 411 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. In a sample of 12 we read, 9 describe sticky steering in heat[2].
Does the 2004 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one, 04V182, for fuel pump vapor lock that can stall the engine. Dealers install a resistor as the fix[3].
What is the gas mileage of a 2004 BMW Z4?
EPA combined ratings are 20 or 21 mpg depending on engine and transmission[5][13][14][15][16][17].
Is the 2004 Z4 better than the 2003?
It has 411 complaints against 414 for 2003, and 1 recall against 4[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 411 owner complaints on file for the 2004 BMW Z4 (1 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 378 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 04V182, filed April 12, 2004: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every BMW Z4 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Z4 Roadster, 2.5L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 18 complaints name the air bags component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 6 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,021). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Z4 Roadster, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Z4 Roadster, 2.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Z4 Roadster, 3.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Z4 Roadster, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Z4 Roadster, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Z4 2.5i 2DR CONV RWD: length 161 in, width 70 in, height 51 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,932 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, Z4 3.0i 2DR CONV RWD: length 161 in, width 70 in, height 51 in, wheelbase 98 in, curb weight 2,998 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.