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Research · Two Seaters

2008 BMW Z4Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints for the 2008 BMW Z4. Most complaints involve air bags (8) and steering (5). The EPA rates it 18–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–22mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2022
Owner complaints
19
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$3,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: crankcase (pcv)

Remedy pending

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 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 2, 2022NHTSA 22V119000

Engine and engine cooling: crankcase (pcv)

Remedy pending

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 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 30, 2017NHTSA 17V683000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

19 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2011 – Aug 2025
  1. Air bags8
  2. Steering5
  3. Engine and engine cooling2
  4. Electrical system2
  5. Service brakes1
  6. Vehicle speed control1
  7. Seats1
  8. Engine1
  9. Wheels1

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200733
200819
20221
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

8 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 BMW Z4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2020Air bagsODI 11316959

Steering

5 reports
“VERY ERRATIC STEERING. CROSSING THE CROWN OF A ROAD WILL PULL ONE WAY AND THEN QUICKLY PULL IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION UNLIKE ANYTHING I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. ALSO SAME EFFECT WITH TRYING TO STAY IN LANES WITH ANY COMMON DEVIATION. THIS IS WORST AT HWY SPEEDS BUT DOES OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS AS WELL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 24, 2016SteeringODI 10838080

Engine and engine cooling

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2008 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 local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available. 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 Oct 4, 2022Engine and engine coolingODI 11487839
All 2008 Z4 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Two Seaters
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
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 Nov 11, 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 3.0i
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,400404
Z4 3.0si
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,400404
Z4 Coupe
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192822$3,400404
Z4 3.0i
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182821$3,600423
Z4 3.0si
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182821$3,600423
Z4 Coupe
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182821$3,600423
Z4 M Coupe
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$4,200494
Z4 M Roadster
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152318$4,200494
  • Z4 3.0i
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,400/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Z4 3.0si
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,400/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Z4 Coupe
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,400/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Z4 3.0i
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,600/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Z4 3.0si
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,600/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Z4 Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $3,600/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Z4 M Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Z4 M Roadster
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 BMW Z4 as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 2631Vehicle 2626
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

2008 Z4 questions

How many recalls does the 2008 BMW Z4 have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 BMW Z4 problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (8), steering (5), engine and engine cooling (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 BMW Z4 get?

The EPA rates the 2008 BMW Z4 at 18–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026