2003 BMW Z4

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.

Data last changed Sep 16, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category	2003	2004	2005	vs. 2003 Two Seaters
Annual fuel cost ($)	3,700–3,900	3,700–3,900	3,700–3,900
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	190	Not compared
Recalls issued	4	1	0	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	5	1	2	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	0	2	0	Not compared
Injuries reported	1	0	2	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	0	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	6	6	5

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2003 BMW Z4 have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 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–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (6)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
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)	$3,900 (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

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Injuries
Engine	12	0	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	7	0	0
Fuel System	6	0	0
Electrical	13	1	0
Brakes	3	0	0
Steering	342	2	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	6	0	0
Airbags & Restraints	34	1	1
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	6	2	0
Body, Seats & Latches	10	0	0
Visibility & Lighting	4	0	0
Other	7	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 · Campaign 04V247000 · May 28, 2004
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 · Campaign 04V182000 · Apr 20, 2004
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 · Campaign 03V214000 · Jun 9, 2003
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 · Campaign 03V032000 · Feb 12, 2003
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.