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Model Year Problem Record

BMW Z4 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 BMW Z4: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

414Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
4Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
3Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
7Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Steering344 complaints

344 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags32 complaints

32 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V247000.

Electrical System14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System7 complaints

7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V182000.

Power Train7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V032000.

Equipment3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V214000.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V032000Reported February 4, 2003 - 2,635 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on February 4, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 2,635 vehicles across all affected models.

03V214000Reported June 9, 2003 - 180 vehicles potentially affected

Tires. Recall covering the tires system, reported to NHTSA on June 9, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 180 vehicles across all affected models.

04V182000Reported April 12, 2004 - 13,769 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 12, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 13,769 vehicles across all affected models.

04V247000Reported May 24, 2004 - 51 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on May 24, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 51 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE10020Opened June 28, 2010 - Closed June 28, 2011

Sticky Steering. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10020Opened June 28, 2010 - Closed June 28, 2011

Sticky Steering. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10020Opened June 28, 2010 - Closed June 28, 2011

Sticky Steering. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200313
200413
200517
20068
20071
200810
200916
201067
201158
201238
201333
201428
201522
201617
201712
201822
201918
20203
20213
20226
20234
20243
20251
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.