2011 BMW Z4 Recalls, Complaints & Safety

Electrical power steering system failed, warning light came on. Vehicle suddenly became very difficult to impossible to steer. Failed to negotiate a turn and nearly hit a tree. I have an appointment set with an independent service dealer near me, but I’m afraid to drive it there, so I may have it towed. The warning light came on just moments before the initial failure.

Steering assist failed almost resulting in head on collision. Failure is serious and likely to cause fatalities

Power steering is intermittent where assist goes from working to not working changing the effort required to turn the wheel. When power assist goes off it is difficult to steer the car.

October, 9, 2024 BMW USA Customer Relations, Recall Services Ms. Ikevia, Thank you following up. My 2021 claim regarding the 2011 BMW Z4 Vanos Bolts recall has been pending since April, 2021. My Z4 almost destroyed itself, after having been left off your recall list. December, 2023 BMW USA provided me written notice my VIN had been added to the recall list so I will be reimbursed for the costly repair. I hope you will help your colleagues who are stonewalling to appreciate my patience as well as my willingness to fight for reimbursement for as long as it takes You do have all my information in your Vanos Bolts Recall file, including detailed photos from my Syncro Car Care professionals who did the repair when you declined to help me. My VIN which is: [XXX] - 2011 Z4 3.0 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Electric power assist intermittently fails without warning making steering impossible. Similar to 2012 z4 recall

I have written to you previously to advise of repeated engine issues with my vehicle, a 2011 BMW Z4. I also included invoices of work that was done over time to correct a likely Engineering flaw that caused excessive fuel injector failure. In 2021, there was a 10 year extended warranty to replace them. Prior and after the warranty work, there was almost constant engine misfires and engine warning lights resulting in decreased engine performance, and low oil lights that came on every 300+ miles driven. My recent issue with the car involves a starter quitting while driving at 70mph on [XXX]. It was terrifying. It's impossible to put into words that death was imminent. On [XXX], we were traveling to Orangeburg, SC when the car suddenly "died" on the highway. Once we recovered from our shock, we had the vehicle towed to a local shop. The owner advised us that it needed a new starter. Once that was replaced, the car started with a severe screeching noise. After further assessment, it was determined that there was a bent piston rod and that the engine would have rebuilt or replaced. I, a former automotive Engineer, believe that there was an inherent design flaw that caused the car to excessively use oil. Interestingly, I purchased a new BMW and as a condition of sale, was required to sign a document that I would not sue BMW or participate in a class action lawsuit. I was not provided with a copy of the form that was signed, but doubt that it would be upheld in court. BMW needs to be held accountable for their products and their performance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was difficult to restart. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V707000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. 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 failure mileage was approximately 68,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Hello, I am writing to you about repeated repairs that I have incurred for my 2011 BMW Z4, VIN [XXX] . On [XXX] 2017, I had a BMW initiated, no cost recall/extended warranty replacement of 6 fuel injectors performed at Hilton Head BMW in Hilton Head, SC. Due to the nature of the work, it was recommended that the 6 spark plugs be replaced, which were not covered under the recall/extended warranty, and which I paid $187.71 in parts and labor for. Mileage at this time was 45,795. On [XXX], 2019, I once again had the spark plugs and ignition coils replaced at Hilton Head BMW at a cost of $1208.25 for parts and labor. Mileage at this time was 58,815. On [XXX], 2024, I had the ignition coil and spark plugs replaced again by Import Service of the Lowcountry at a cost of $840 for parts and labor. Mileage at this time was 95,977. Relative to this, I also had fuel injector replacement performed on [XXX], 2024, at a cost of $724.29 for parts and labor. Lastly, the valve cover and #2 fuel injector failed and were replaced on [XXX], 2024 at a cost of $1843.14. Mileage at this time was 97,125. I am seeking $4803.59 in reimbursement costs for a repeated field defect that is known to BMW, and for which they have failed to correct through recall/extended warranty mitigation. All of these instances caused me to lose power while driving in traffic, putting me at serious risk for injury. Please find attached copies of the receipts for the above work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We received notice of this recall, and while the Manufacturer administratively states there is no remedy, they then list the remedy quite simply which is to replace the Vanos Bolts. I called around to dealers and other Euroshops and every one of them has the parts to remedy the recall. Because of this it is clear that both the remedy and parts required for this recall is in fact available. Given this information this means BMW is either negligently prolonging listing the remedy as available or worse, purposely doing so in order float money that they do not yet want to shell out to dealers to fix these recalls. I have contacted BMW customer relations and while they do not dispute that the parts to remedy this recall are readily available, they refuse to administratively list the recall remedy as available. They refuse to offer to replace or refund the vehicle as well. This is a violation of federal law and our rights as a consumer, whereas the manufactures must proceed in a timely fashion and while they are granted time to develop a remedy and procure the parts needed, there is no part of the law that allows them to unilaterally administratively refuse to list the remedy as available when in fact the remedy is available as are the parts to repair it readily available. Resolutions we will accept on this matter are exactly what is required by the manufacturer by law. Correctly list the recall remedy as available so we can have it remedied at a dealer, and if BMW refuses to do that, they are violating our rights to repair this in a timely fashion and must either replace of refund. Please assist on this matter thank you so much

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact started while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started rough. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V176000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) and referred the contact to the dealer. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer also stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 106,000.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. 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.

The contact owns a 2011 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 contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, he started to smell a burning plastic odor. Additionally, white smoke started coming from the vents. The contact stated that the smoke was not heavy but steady. The contact was unaware of any warning lights being illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000. The VIN was not available. The contact stated that the issue has not been resolved yet. The dealer has refused to repair the damages to the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2011 BMW Z4. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the steering was locked in a slight left turn and he had to apply the brakes to keep the vehicle on the road. The contact was able to pull off to the left side of the highway. The contact stated that a yellow steering wheel warning light was illuminated, and a warning bell was chiming. The contact turned the vehicle off and upon restarting the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that as soon as he exited the highway, the failure occurred again and has persisted. The contact researched and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V302000 (Steering) however, the model year was not included. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

In Sept. 2018, the car was serviced but died after leaving the BMW service center. BMW paid for towing after discovering a frayed ribbed v-belt, which they replaced at no cost. In Nov. 2021, the oil gauge was indicating a problem and the car was then serviced at the same BMW service center. The technician was shocked to find broken pieces of an old drive belt stuck in suction tube. They took a video and then replaced the leaking oil pan gasket and gasket rings. Despite the risk of serious bodily harm or death if the engine had suddenly failed on the highway, BMW service center could not explain how pieces of the old drive belt got into the suction tube. They could not tell us that this problem would not happen again. This problem is not limited to BMW; however, at least one other car manufacturer has taken steps to prevent this problem.

Vehicle has less than 50,000 miles and already having steering malfunction alerts. Steering randomly stops working and unable to turn vehicle.

CAR HAS A STEERING PROBLEM THAT GOES IN AND OUT. WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL SHAKE WHEN NOT MOVING.

VEHICLE STOLEN BY JESUS VELASQUEZ DOB 10.30.1968 561.306.0427 678.923.0258 678.574.7991 904.464.6798 525 CARAWAY COURT ST. JONS FLORIDA 139 PAVIA PLACE ST JOHNS FLORIDA 32259 CHRYSLER FLORIDA PLATEVBXXPN4

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING HAS INTERMITTENT FAULTS/ERRORS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. BMW ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE AND DID A RECALL IN 2012 FOR 2012 MODEL YEAR Z4'S - NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V302000. THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM IS WELL BEYOND THE 162 VEHICLES THAT WERE ADDRESSED WITH THE RECALL IN 2012.

THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED WITH AN AMBER INDICATOR SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN STARTING THE CAR. HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR (6SP) AND THEN GET OUT AND CHOCK THE WHEELS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING DOWN HILL. INDEPENDANT REPAIR STATION INFORMED ME THERE WAS AN ERROR CODE - 6017 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR DFA_EMF IN THE PARKING BRAKE MODULE. THIS ERROR IS IN FACT A BUG IN THE SOFTWARE AND REQUIRED A NEW VERION OF CODE TO BE LOADED AT THE BMW DEALER FOR A COST OF $430. BMW HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE AT LEAST 2013 AND HAS NOT ISSUED A NOTICE OR RECALL. THIS ISSUE AFFECTING HUNDREDS OF BMWS NEEDS TO BE INVESIGATED DUE TO THE OBVIOUS SAFTEY CONCERNS.

EPS FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY. POWER STEERING ALARM CAME ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF AND HARD TO STEER. PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON. FAULT RESET BUT THE ALARM OCASSIONALLY STILL SOUNDED. TOOK TO BMW SERVICE, CHECKED OUT AND SAID THE EPS BOX NEEDED REPLACED. DEALER SERVICED CAR AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAR FOR FIVE MONTHS. THIS TIME STEERING FAILED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING , BUT THE STEERING RETURNED. HEADED TO HOME AND STEERING AGAIN FAILED AND ALARM CAME ON. STEERING NOW IS STIFF AND CANNOT DRIVE. THERE WAS A RECALL (12V3002000) NOV 2011 THROUGH 2012 WAS RECALLED. MY CAR MFG IN OCT. 2011. SO BMW SAID OUR CAR WAS NOT COVERED. I FEEL BMW SHOULD LOOK AT EARLIER CARS AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THIS FAILED SHE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OVERCOME THE STEERING FAILURE. FIRST FAILURE AT 74,000 MILES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF ASHEVILLE (649 NEW AIRPORT RD, FLETCHER, NC 28732, (828) 681-9900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.

WHEN EXITING A PARKING LOT INTO A CITY STREET, WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE PRESSED, A LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD, THEN A HISSING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER AFTER THAT AND MY CAR ROLLED INTO THE STREET OUT OF CONTROL, IT WAS A SCARY SITUATION BUT NO ACCIDENT OR COLLISION OCURRED AT THIS TIME. TO STOP THE CAR THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PRESSED VERY HARD ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR,THERE WAS NO LEAKEAGE OF BRAKE FLUID. THE BMW DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED A FAULTY BRAKE BOOSTER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BILL PEARCE BMW AT (775) 337-9649 (LOCATED AT 11555 S VIRGINIA ST, RENO, NV 89511) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

FAILED EPS MODULE WHILE DRIVING. ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 60MPH ON A 90 DEGREE DAY. EPS WARNING LIGHT (ALONG WITH PARKING AND ESC LIGHTS) POPPED UP AND STEERING FROZE. AFTER SOME FORCE COULD GET STEERING TO MOVE... SLOWED DOWN AND GOT OFF HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WAS ONLY GOING STRAIGHT AND WAS NOT PASSING OR IN A TURN, VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF/ON - ALL WARNING LIGHTS EXCEPT EPS STEERING RESET. CAR POWER ASSISTED STEERING NOW RANDOMLY GOES ON/OFF. DEALER STATED THERE IS AN OPEN RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE BUT ONLY FOR THE 2012 MODEL YEAR. WELL IT APPEARS THE SAME ISSUE IS ALSO ON THE 2011 AND IT ALMOST KILLED ME. LUCKILY I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AND NOT PASSING OR IN A TURN. DEALER ALSO MENTIONED THE FAILED MODULE IS NOT A REPARABLE BMW PART AND THE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED... SO A VERY EXPENSIVE INVASIVE PROCEDURE TO REPLACE A PART THAT CAN FAIL AGAIN ON A HOT DAY. VOLTAGE ISSUE APPARENTLY WAS FIXED IN THE 2012 MODEL YEAR BUT NOT ON THE 2011. NHTSA SHOULD REVIEW THE RECALL 12V302000 AS THE 2011 MODEL YEAR APPARENTLY ALSO HAS THIS SAME ISSUE AS LUCKILY I JUST LIVED THROUGH IT.

THE WHEELS ON THE CAR DEVELOPED HAIR LINE FRACTURES, ONE WHEEL WAS DAMAGED TO THE POINT IT WOULD NOT KEEP INFLATED. GOOGLE HAS MANY COMPLAINTS POSTED , I INQUIRED TO BMW DEALER WITHOUT RESOLVE. I DECIDED TO REPLACE THE WHEELS AT MY EXPENSE.

THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS WHEEL STYLE "296" A 19" OPTIONAL ALLOY WHEEL PACKAGE FOR E89 BMW Z4. BMW PART NUMBER 36116785257(REAR WHEEL 19X9) AND 36116785256(FRONT WHEEL 19X8. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MULTIPLE CRACKS DEVELOPED ON INNER EDGE OF RIM LIP LEADING TO LARGE DROP IN TIRE PRESSURE AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. THIS HAPPENED TO (1) OF MY REAR WHEELS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME PARTICULAR WHEEL MODEL "296" ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS. IT IS NOTED IN THE FOLLOWING LINK: HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=485935 CONTACTED BMWNA CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY DECLINED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

I'VE NOTICED THAT MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS LOSING PRESSURE EVEN AFTER INFLATING IT MULTIPLE TIMES SO I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO BMW OF MURRIETA TO GET THE WHEELS INSPECTED. IT WAS VERIFIED BY THEIR TECHNICIANS THAT BOTH REAR RIMS WERE CRACKED AND THAT IT WOULD COST AND ESTIMATE OF NEARLY $1,800 TO REPLACE. I DENIED THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT AS I DIDN'T BELIEVE I SHOULD PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR WHAT I BELIEVE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THE SAME EXACT RIM STYLE ON THIS VEHICLE, THE REAR RIMS ARE PRONE TO CRACKING UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I FILED A CLAIM WITH BMW CORP, CLAIMS DEPARTMENT AND THEY DENIED REIMBURSING ME OR AGREE TO FIX THE WHEELS UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN IN NONOPERATION WITHOUT A LOANER VEHICLE GIVEN TO ME BY BMW. *TR

ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED. STEERING SYSTEM FAILURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE, AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD TURN A FEW DEGREES WITH POWER ASSISTANCE AND AS I CONTINUED TO TURN THE WHEEL POWER ASSIST WENT AWAY REQUIRING EXCESSIVE EFFORT TO TURN. THIS FIRST APPEARED ON START UP AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

IN THE MORNING OF OCTOBER 23RD, I'VE NOTICED THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR (TPM) TURN ON IN MY CAR FOR THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. IT APPEARED TO BE COMPLETELY FLAT. WITH THE RUNT FLAT TIRE, I DROVE CAREFULLY TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR TO SPECIFICATION OF 42 PSI. HOURS LATER, I CHECK THE PRESSURE TO SEE IF IT HOLDS. THE TIRE LOST SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE AND THE TPM TURNED ON AGAIN. I ONCE AGAIN WENT TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION TO FILL THE TIRE WITH AIR AND HOURS LATER, IT LOST PRESSURE AGAIN, EVENTUALLY GOING COMPLETELY FLAT. IT APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME RIM STYLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND I SUSPECT THAT THE RIM HAS A SLIGHT CRACK DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS. IT SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE RIM THAT ALLOWS IT TO CRACK AND LOSE AIR PRESSURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND MADE THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V302000 (STEERING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I PURCHASED THIS OVER $30,000 EXPENSIVE LEMON ON DECEMBER 2,2015. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE CENTER MORE THAN I'VE DRIVEN IT. MY EXPENSIVE LEMON OF AN INVESTMENT IS CURRENTLY AT THE BMW MIDTOWN SERVICE CENTER WAITING ON THE ARRIVAL OF ITS NEW ENGINE FROM GERMANY. I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE WEEKS. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN MY PRE-OWNED CERTIFIED VEHICLE. THE RESOLUTION OFFERED TO ME IS NOT APPRECIATED BY ME. PLEASE ANY FEEDBACK FROM BMW IS WELCOMED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I'M A OWNER OF 2011 BMW Z4 35I WITH 296 STYLE WHEELS. BMW'S 296 STYLE WHEEL CONSIDERED HAS DESIGN DEFECTS BY MOST OF OWNERS, SINCE THEY REALLY EASILY CRACKED WITHOUT IMPACT. REASON WHY 296 STYLE WHEELS GOT EASILY CRACKED DEFINITELY SEEMS FLAWED DESIGN, AND IT CAN BE PROVED BY OTHER WHEELS WITH SAME DIAMETER DON'T HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEM. ALSO FATIGUE STRUCTURE FAILURE MEANS, STRUCTURE STRENGTH OF WHEEL DESIGN WASN'T PROPERLY REVIEWED. ALSO BMW CHANGED ITS DESIGN OF INNER BARREL TO REINFORCE STRENGTH AROUND 2012. THERE WAS SETTLEMENT BETWEEN OWNERS AND BMW NA ABOUT THIS ISSUE, BUT IT ONLY COVERS DURING INITIAL FACTORY WARRANTY. (HTTP://Z4296WHEELSETTLEMENT.COM) ALTHOUGH MY BMW Z4 DOESN'T HAVE INITIAL FACTORY WARRANTY, IT STILL HAS CPO WARRANTY. BMW NA AND LOCAL DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE OR FIX MY CRACKED WHEELS, SINCE MY CPO WARRANTY DON'T COVER WHEELS. THE REASON CPO WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER WHEELS SEEMS THEY CAN BE DAMAGED FROM CURB OR POT-HOLE. (NEITHER OF THEM ARE MY CASE.) HOWEVER IF MOST OF OWNER SUFFERED BY SAME PROBLEM, IT DEFINITELY CAN BE CONSIDERED TO CAUSED BY FLAWED DESIGN, NOT MIS-USE OR ABUSE BY OWNER. IN ADDITION, BMW SHOULD REPLACE THOSE WHEELS REGARDLESS WARRANTY PERIOD. (THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED IN S.KOREA. BMW KOREA ADMITTED ITS PROBLEM AND CHANGING OWNERS 296 WHEELS REGARDLESS THEIR WARRANTY PERIOD.) PLEASE FIND RELEVANT LINKS AS FOLLOWS. HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=764312 HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=742693&HIGHLIGHT=296+POLL HTTP://E89.ZPOST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=484812&HIGHLIGHT=296+POLL

THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN AUBURN, CA. WE HAD JUST FINISHED LUNCH AND WERE PLANNING TO HEAD HOME. I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO START THE CAR AND WE HEARD A DISTINCT POPPING NOISE. AS I ENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION AND STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD I IMMEDIATELY REALIZED THE BMW HAD LOST ITS BRAKING ABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR AND RE-PARK THE VEHICLE. WE HAD THE VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IN SACRAMENTO, CA. THE DEALER TOOK A WEEK TO REPAIR IT AND WHEN I RETRIEVED THE CAR THE REPAIR REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT THE POWER ASSIST AND MASTER CYLINDER HAD FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. RECENTLY I CHECKED THE INTERNET FOR OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH BMWS AND FOUND THAT BMW HAS BEEN DOING A "VOLUNTARY" RECALL ON 2012S AND 2013S. BMW HAS NOT YET ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2011 MODELS TO MY KNOWLEDGE. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE BMW TO IMMEDIATELY INITIATE A MANDATORY RECALL ON ALL BMWS THAT HAVE A SIMILAR BRAKING SYSTEM. IF WE HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT SPEED THERE WOULD MOST LIKELY HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY. IF IT HAD BEEN ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEED WE HATE TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED. THESE VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE ROAD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR

MY BMW Z4 2011 STALLED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THIS HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AS MY CAR WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND I HAD NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY FOR SERVICE AND CONTACTED BMW USA. I PURCHASED AND INSTALLED A DASH CAMERA AND CAPTURED THE STALLING ON THE THIRD INCIDENT AND PROVIDED THEM THE FOOTAGE. BMW USA DID A VISUAL INSPECTION AND CLAIMED THAT MY AFTER-MARKET LED LIGHT BULB IN MY DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WAS THE CAUSE OF MY STALLING WITHOUT PROVIDING ANY DOCUMENTATION OR TESTING. BASED ON THEIR CONCLUSIONS, THEY VOIDED MY ELECTRICAL AND POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND DENIED ANY REPAIRS TO BE MADE BY ANY BMW DEALERSHIP PER BMW USA. THERE IS A DEFINITE ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE STALLING THAT BMW CANNOT RESOLVE AND THEY HAVE RESORTED TO BLAMING THE CONSUMER WITHOUT PROPER TESTING OR DOCUMENTATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF WHAT CAUSED THE SHAKING OR BRAKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A CURB IN ORDER TO GET IT TO STOP. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF WHAT CAUSED THE SHAKING OR BRAKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

Crash

MY CAR STALLED AGAIN ON JULY 26TH. IN THIS INSTANCE, I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING ON THE ON-RAMP BETWEEN 5-10 MPH. MY CAR STALLED COMPLETELY, HOWEVER, THIS TIME THE ELECTRICAL WAS STILL ON. I PANICKED BECAUSE I WAS STILL MOVING IN TRAFFIC. THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO BREAK IN TIME AND RESTART MY CAR ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT BECAUSE I COULD'VE GOTTEN INTO AN ACCIDENT VERY EASILY WITH CARS DIRECTLY IN FRONT AND BEHIND ME. I WAS TOLD AT THE LAST SERVICE THAT ALL RECALLS WERE COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. SPECIFICALLY THE BATTERY CABLE WHICH CAUSED MANY PREVIOUS Z4 TO STALL RANDOMLY. THE STALLING IS STILL OCCURRING ON THIS VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL. *TR

THE CAR STALLED FOR THE FIRST TIME. I WAS DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES AT AROUND 25-35 MPH AND MADE A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE CAR ENGINE AND ALL THE ELECTRICAL SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IN GEAR. I PUT THE CAR INTO 'PARK' THEN TRIED TO RESTART. IT DID NOT START THE ENGINE BUT THE ELECTRICAL CAME BACK ON AND THE YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS (TAKING KEY OUT, PUTTING KEY IN, AND STARTING THE ENGINE), THE CAR STARTS AGAIN AND EVERYTHING WENT BACK TO NORMAL. *TR