2004 BMW Z4: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 BMW Z4: 1 recall, 411 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V182000 · 2004 · 13,769 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, under certain environmental conditions, a vapor lock in the fuel pump could occur causing the engine to stall. If this were to happen, the engine would not be able to be restarted for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
Why it matters: If stalling were to occur, the driver would be unable to maintain vehicle speed or accelerate, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install a resistor in the electrical line powering the fuel pump in order to prevent an occurrence of vapor lock. The recall began May 11, 2004. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (378): the most common themes are steering problems (374).
- Airbags (18): the most common themes are warning light on (6).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are electrical failure (6), door / lock issues (5).
- Exterior lights (6): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
The 2004 BMW Z4 has 411 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 21 Z4 model years for complaints (6.7× the average Z4 year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (74 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 47,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (414 complaints, 4 recalls), 2005 (190 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 BMW Z4.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2004 BMW Z4. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 BMW Z4 problems?
Owners have filed 411 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (378), airbags (18), electrical (14).
What gas mileage does the 2004 BMW Z4 get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.5 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 BMW Z4 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.