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
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 BMW Z4 engine problems
moderate 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
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
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
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.
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.
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
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"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"
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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…
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…
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)…
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?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
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.