2004 BMW Z4
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 378 of 411 complaints (92%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 414 in 2003 to 411 in 2004.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–4,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 20–21 | 17–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | 14–18 / 22–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 423–444 | 423–444 | 423–523 | |
| Complaints filed | 414 | 411 | 190 | 91 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 |
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 2004 BMW Z4 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2004 BMW Z4?
Steering: 378 of 411 NHTSA complaints (92%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 BMW Z4 get?
EPA rates it 20–21 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 BMW Z4?
EPA estimates $3,700–$3,900 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 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 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 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 378 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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 (1)
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.