Research · Two Seaters

2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35IRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 5 owner complaints for the 2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (2) and electrical system (2). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
5
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$4,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

5 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2015 – Oct 2025
  1. Engine and engine cooling2
  2. Electrical system2
  3. Engine1
  4. Exterior lighting1
  5. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Z4 SDRIVE35I model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201146
20125
20137
20147
20155
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 11, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 11666290

Electrical system

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 BMW Z4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2025Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 11647400

Engine

1 report
“My 2015 BMW Z4 vehicle has a coolant pump safety recall. It reportedly could cause a short circuit and thermal event or fire. I bought the vehicle while living elsewhere and am now in a small community with 4 major automobile dealers but not BMW. The nearest BMW dealer is about 220 miles away. I contacted that dealer. The service rep said it is 1.5-2 day repair and a loaner vehicle may be available. The repair time sounds wrong but is what she said. She said the dealership would not work with any facility close to me to make the repair so I must drive the 440 plus round trip miles for BMW dealer repair. Repair of 1.5 to 2 days means I would either need lodging and waste least 2-3 days of my time or drive back home with a 2nd trip to the dealer to return a loaner and get my car, 880 miles and many hours driving. Even a 1 day repair means 440 miles and many hours. Called BMW Recall Hotline at [XXX] & explained my situation. They declined help saying the dealer decides how the repair is handled. I called BMW Customer Service [XXX] . They declined help & said a BMW dealer must repair unless it wants to work with another repair facility. I submitted a web-form…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2025EngineODI 11691012
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AM-S7)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Z4 sDrive35i
Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200454
  • Z4 sDrive35i
    Auto (AM-S7), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 9490
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Z4 SDRIVE35I questions

How many recalls does the 2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I problems?

Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (2), electrical system (2), engine (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I get?

The EPA rates the 2015 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026