Total Complaints
27 filings
BMW Z4 · model year
27 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2008BMWZ4 carries 27 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2008 Z4 is air bags with 8 filings, followed by steering (5) and air bags:sensor:occupant classification (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 2008 Z4. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
27 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 8 |
| STEERING | 5 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| ENGINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV) | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may sho
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV)
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);
This complaint is regarding a large number of 2008 BMW cars exhibiting the ABS failure light. Mine is a Z4 with @ 65K miles and was diagnosed by a certified mechanic as the ABS module failure - a high ($3000-$4000) cost repair. If you use this search term - "how common is bmw 2008 ABS module failure?", you will see that a multitude of cars from 2008 (and in other years and models using the same module) are affected by and exhibit this dangerous issue. What has to happen for BMW to be forced to repairing this chronic, safety-compromising, and widespread issue? This is not something that happens to other cars as a result of age. This is a design flaw that directly affects safety. Now I would like to sell the car, but I can't afford to fix it and, in good conscience, I cannot sell it if it is dangerous.
The contact owns a 2008 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
IDLING IN GEAR (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) AT A DRIVE THRU. CAR SUDDENLY TRIED TO ACCELERATE. PUT CAR IN PARK AND ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE TO MAX RPMS. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AT THE IGNITION. RESTARTED ENGINE AND IDLED NORMALLY.
Mileage: 75,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Mileage: 60,000
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 BMW Z4. AFTER A WEEK OF OWNERSHIP THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. FAULT CODE POINTS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR OC3. BMW ISSUED A 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO MANY BMW MODELS INCLUDING THE 2006 AND 2007 Z4 WITH COMFORT SEATS, BUT NOT TO THE 2008 MODEL. THIS REPAIR COSTS UPWARDS OF $1500 AND IS SAFETY RELATED. BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COVER ALL AFFECTED MODELS!
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 BMW Z4. AFTER A WEEK OF OWNERSHIP THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. FAULT CODE POINTS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR OC3. BMW ISSUED A 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO MANY BMW MODELS INCLUDING THE 2006 AND 2007 Z4 WITH COMFORT SEATS, BUT NOT TO THE 2008 MODEL. THIS REPAIR COSTS UPWARDS OF $1500 AND IS SAFETY RELATED. BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COVER ALL AFFECTED MODELS!
RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 BMW Z4. AFTER A WEEK OF OWNERSHIP THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. FAULT CODE POINTS TO THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR OC3. BMW ISSUED A 15 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY TO MANY BMW MODELS INCLUDING THE 2006 AND 2007 Z4 WITH COMFORT SEATS, BUT NOT TO THE 2008 MODEL. THIS REPAIR COSTS UPWARDS OF $1500 AND IS SAFETY RELATED. BMW NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COVER ALL AFFECTED MODELS!
THE AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON DASH APPEARED AND STAYED ON,ALSO PASSENGER YELLOW AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON .TOOK TO BMW DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST AROUND 1,600.00 . ERROR CODE 93C3 THEY INFORMED ME WITH THIS PROBLEM I DO NOT HAVE ANY AIRBAG PROTECTION . THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE REPAIRED OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS MODEL . WHY ?
THE AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON DASH APPEARED AND STAYED ON,ALSO PASSENGER YELLOW AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON .TOOK TO BMW DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST AROUND 1,600.00 . ERROR CODE 93C3 THEY INFORMED ME WITH THIS PROBLEM I DO NOT HAVE ANY AIRBAG PROTECTION . THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE REPAIRED OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS MODEL . WHY ?
THE AIRBAG RED LIGHT ON DASH APPEARED AND STAYED ON,ALSO PASSENGER YELLOW AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON .TOOK TO BMW DEALER THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST AROUND 1,600.00 . ERROR CODE 93C3 THEY INFORMED ME WITH THIS PROBLEM I DO NOT HAVE ANY AIRBAG PROTECTION . THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THEY HAVE REPAIRED OTHER MODELS BUT NOT THIS MODEL . WHY ?
DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON - OBD SCAN INDICATES THE PASSENGER SEAT OC3 AIRBAG SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED. I BELIEVE THIS MEANS THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER DETECT IF THERE IS A CHILD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND WILL DEPLOY AIRBAGS REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER WEIGHT. BMW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR MANY OTHER MODELS AND YEARS (INCLUDING MY Z4 MODEL - BUT NOT YET FOR MY 2008 MODEL YEAR).
Mileage: 80,000
DASHBOARD AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON - OBD SCAN INDICATES THE PASSENGER SEAT OC3 AIRBAG SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED. I BELIEVE THIS MEANS THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER DETECT IF THERE IS A CHILD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND WILL DEPLOY AIRBAGS REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER WEIGHT. BMW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR MANY OTHER MODELS AND YEARS (INCLUDING MY Z4 MODEL - BUT NOT YET FOR MY 2008 MODEL YEAR).
Mileage: 80,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
A FAILED FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT CAUSES THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG 'ON-OFF' LAMP TO BE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN AUGUST 13, 2008, BMW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. MY SIMILARLY AFFECTED 2008 VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL ALSO STATES THAT IN THIS SITUATION, BMW RECOMMENDS CUSTOMERS NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, I WAS ADVISED OF A $152 SHOP DIAGNOSIS FEE AND A LIKELY REPAIR COST OF $1800. THIS IS A PROHIBITIVE COST FOR A FACTORY DEFECT ON A 73 YEAR OLD SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY.
Mileage: 55,920
A FAILED FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT CAUSES THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG 'ON-OFF' LAMP TO BE ILLUMINATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. IN AUGUST 13, 2008, BMW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL INVOLVING FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR MAT ON U.S.A. MODEL BMWS REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR MAT INVOLVING APPROXIMATELY 200,000 MODEL YEAR 2004-06 VEHICLES. MY SIMILARLY AFFECTED 2008 VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE RECALL ALSO STATES THAT IN THIS SITUATION, BMW RECOMMENDS CUSTOMERS NOT TO USE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER, I WAS ADVISED OF A $152 SHOP DIAGNOSIS FEE AND A LIKELY REPAIR COST OF $1800. THIS IS A PROHIBITIVE COST FOR A FACTORY DEFECT ON A 73 YEAR OLD SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON SOCIAL SECURITY.
Mileage: 55,920
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
'THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A DEALER IN OCTOBER 2012, WITH ABOUT 30600 MILES;, CURRENT MILEAGE IS ABOUT 57400. THE AIRBAG DISABLED LIGHT IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STARTED ACTING UP SEVERAL MONTHS AGO; NOW IT IS ON AT ALL TIMES, WHETHER OR NOT A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT OR THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR STOPPED. A SCAN OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR / MAT. RESETTING THE LIGHT WITH THE SCAN TOOL DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. MANY 2008 BMW MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM, BUT NOT THE Z4, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS LISTED HERE. THE LOCAL BMW DEALER WANTS $152.00 SHOP DIAGNOSIS FEE AND A REPLACEMENT MAT SWITCH COULD BE $1800.00. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER FROM THE BEGINNING AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Mileage: 55,800
TAKATA RECALL AIRBAG LIGHT ON AT ALL TIMES ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. A SCAN OF THE VEHICLE SHOWS A DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION SENSOR. RESETTING THE LIGHT WITH THE SCAN TOOLS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THE LIGHT GOES BACK ON IMMEDIATELY AND STAYS ON WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE VEHICLE OR NOT. IT DOES NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON MAY 7TH 2016 AND THE LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE.
Mileage: 77,000
VERY ERRATIC STEERING. CROSSING THE CROWN OF A ROAD WILL PULL ONE WAY AND THEN QUICKLY PULL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION UNLIKE ANYTHING I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. ALSO SAME EFFECT WITH TRYING TO STAY IN LANES WITH ANY COMMON DEVIATION. THIS IS WORST AT HWY SPEEDS BUT DOES OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS AS WELL.
Mileage: 89,858
LIGHT INDICATING PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED BEGAN COMING ON WHILE PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF NOTICING THIS, PASSENGER AIRBAG ALWAYS INDICATES OFF. MANY 08 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG MAT FAILURES, BUT NOT THE Z4 (TOO FEW CARS MADE?) I CALLED BMW-USA AND A CASE AGENT CALLED ME BACK. BMW WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE.
Mileage: 70,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.