2003 BMW Z4: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 BMW Z4: 4 recalls, 414 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #03V032000 · 2003 · 2,635 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the connection of the safety belt buckle to the steel rope of the tensioner does not meet BMW specifications. In severe frontal crashes, this connection can detach.
Why it matters: If the connection detaches, the protection provided by the safety belt is likely to be impaired, and serious injuries to the driver and/or front passenger could occur that might otherwise be mitigated.
The fix: Dealers will inspect both front safety belt tensioner and buckle assemblies, and if necessary, replace these parts. Owner notification began March 19, 2003.
Tires Vehicle recall #03V214000 · 2003 · 180 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles equipped with 18" tires, it is possible that the tire has been damaged during the mounting process to the rim.
Why it matters: Consequently, a loss of tire pressure, or a tire failure, could occur. Depending on traffic conditions and the driver's reactions, this could lead to a crash.
The fix: Dealers will unseat the tire from its rim, inspect for any damage, and then reseat the tire to its rim. If inspection reveals that a front tire has incurred damage during the mounting process, it will be replaced. Owner notification began July 14, 2003. Owners should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.
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.
Airbags Vehicle recall #04V247000 · 2004 · 51 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, incompatible electronic air bag system processors May have been installed.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, air bag deployment May not occur, increasing the risk of injuries to the driver and/or front passenger.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the air bag system processors. The recall began June 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. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Steering (342): the most common themes are steering problems (337).
- Airbags (31): the most common themes are warning light on (14).
- Electrical (13): the most common themes are electrical failure (3), stalls / loses power (2).
- Engine & cooling (11): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3).
The 2003 BMW Z4 has 414 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 21 Z4 model years for complaints (6.8× the average Z4 year). Complaints peaked in 2010 (67 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 41,575 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (4 complaints, 0 recalls), 2004 (411 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 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 |
| 2.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 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 2003 BMW Z4.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2003 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 2003 BMW Z4 problems?
Owners have filed 414 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are steering (342), airbags (31), electrical (13).
What gas mileage does the 2003 BMW Z4 get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S5)), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 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.