The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 342 of 414 complaints (83%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 414
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $3,700–$3,850
- Combined MPG
- 20–21
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–3,850 | 3,700–3,850 | 3,700–3,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 20–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 423–444 | 423–444 | |
| Complaints filed | 414 | 411 | 192 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 BMW Z4 have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 BMW Z4?
Steering: 342 of 414 NHTSA complaints (83%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW Z4 get?
EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 BMW Z4?
EPA estimates $3,700–$3,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,850 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 342 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 34 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
AIR BAGS
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, INCOMPATIBLE ELECTRONIC AIR BAG SYSTEM PROCESSORS MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY NOT OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES TO THE DRIVER AND/OR FRONT PASSENGER.
- Remedy
- 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, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF STALLING WERE TO OCCUR, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE SPEED OR ACCELERATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- 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.
TIRES
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 18" TIRES, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE TIRE HAS BEEN DAMAGED DURING THE MOUNTING PROCESS TO THE RIM.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.