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2009 BMW Z4 engine problems
moderate
Owners of the 2009 BMW Z4 have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See engine across all vehicles →
Of the 4 engine complaints filed for the 2009 BMW Z4,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
1 (50%)
25-50k
1 (50%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted.
Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits
and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
All 2 active engine recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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
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.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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
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.
Fix: 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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Service BulletinB011321May 2021
CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al
N54, N54T - Catalytic Converter Conversion Faults Stored. The Service Engine Soon (MIL) lamp could come on with one or both of the following faults stored in the DME: * 29F4: catalytic converter conversion - bank 1 * 29F5: catalytic converter conversion - bank 2 DME software diagnostic error.
"Engine Idle Speed Dips Too Low While Braking at Lower Vehicle Speeds. The engine speed may drop too low when slowing to a stop, braking at low road speeds, or while parking the car. This occurs intermittently, but can be more apparent when the automatic transmission selector lever is in the ""Sport mode"" position. Unfavorable DME software application"
Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an error in the engine oil capacity specification for all vehicles with the N63R engine and xDrive.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
4 most recent
engine
· filed 09/17/2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms…
engine · 11,000 mi
· filed 09/16/2010
I am leasing a 2009 z4 BMW, the engine car stall while driving this happened twice in a period of 2 weeks, I almost have a car crash behind in both opportunities, thanks that the traffic was very slow, the second time I have to go out the road. I brought the car the for service, they were able to reproduce the failure, after one week at the shop they say it was a computer failure, they replace…
engine
· filed 09/04/2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v683000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called mckenna BMW at (562) 219-4570 (located at 10900 firestone blvd, norwalk, ca 90650)…
engine · 28,000 mi
· filed 06/11/2014
The car has stalled multiple time when coming to a stop. In some instances I did not have to come to a complete stop such as crossing a divided highway, just slowed significantly. As I went to accelerate through the intersection the engine had stalled and I was stuck in the middle of the intersection with no power. Car starts right back up each time but you must stop to place the car in…
Had engine trouble with your 2009 BMW Z4?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2009 BMW Z4?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 19,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/BMW/Z4.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.