2006 BMW Z4
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Steering
Steering leads by volume: 55 of 91 complaints (60%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Electrical include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 190 in 2005 to 91 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–3,900 | 3,700–4,550 | 3,500–4,550 | 3,500–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–21 | 20–21 | 17–21 | 17–22 | 18–22 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–18 / 25–27 | 17–18 / 25–27 | 14–18 / 22–28 | 15–18 / 22–28 | 15–19 / 23–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–444 | 423–444 | 423–523 | 404–523 | 404–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 411 | 190 | 91 | 33 | 19 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 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 2006 BMW Z4 have?
2 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 2006 BMW Z4?
Steering: 55 of 91 NHTSA complaints (60%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 BMW Z4 get?
EPA rates it 17–21 MPG combined across 8 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 BMW Z4?
EPA estimates $3,700–$4,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 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) | 28 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 (high) | 27 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 18 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $3,700 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 14 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 14 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $4,550 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
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 (2)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) · Campaign 22V119000 · Mar 3, 2022
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) · Campaign 19V273000 · Apr 7, 2019
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion to recall 17V-683.