NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2019 BMW Z4 Safety Record
The 2019 BMW Z4 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 6 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2019 BMW Z4 was not subjected to NHTSA's crash-test program; consequently, it carries no federal star ratings nor an overall Safety Index from that agency. The federal record does, however, document a significant recall and complaint burden for this model year. Six distinct recall campaigns have been issued, notably including an active directive advising owners to park the vehicle outdoors until a specific remedy is applied. In addition to these recalls, NHTSA has logged five owner-reported complaints for the 2019 Z4. While this data offers no insight into the vehicle's crash performance, the presence of an active park-outside recall campaign mandates immediate attention from any prospective owner.
The 2019 BMW Z4 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is named in six recall campaigns according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 6 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 5 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2019 BMW Z4?
The 2019 Z4 presents a safety profile marked by extensive early-production recalls. Five of the vehicle's six total recalls specifically cite the 2019 model year. These campaigns, initiated between 2019 and 2020, addressed critical components including steering linkage, engine bearings, and headlamps. The 2025 starter relay campaign, which included a park-outside directive, indicates that the recall history for this model year remains active. This volume of multi-component recalls directly contributes to its Heavy Burden status. Though owner complaints are limited to five, their distribution across the engine, electrical system, steering, airbags, vehicle structure, and forward collision avoidance systems aligns with the broader systemic issues identified in the recall data. No other model years of the Z4 are present in the NHTSA crash-test data for comparison.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2019 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
The 2019 BMW Z4 is named in five of the six recall campaigns on record for this model year, covering the electrical system starter relay, exterior headlamps, steering tie rod assembly, and engine needle roller bearings in the connecting rod. One active campaign, the starter relay recall issued in 2025, carries a park-outside directive, meaning affected vehicles should not be stored in an enclosed structure until the remedy is applied.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:RELAY25V636000
Risk: A short circuit in the starter relay may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 6, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov November 14, 2025.
Reported 2025-09-23
ENGINE21V598000
Risk: Loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine management software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 17, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2021-08-02
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS20V516000
Risk: Should the headlamps be adjusted horizontally, there could be increased glare and reduced visibility for oncoming drivers, or reduced visibility for the vehicle operator, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the headlamp vertical and horizontal adjustment plugs, correcting them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 23, 2020. BMW owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Reported 2020-08-27
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY20V355000
Risk: A damaged or fractured tie rod may affect vehicle handling and control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW and Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear tie rods, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Reported 2020-06-15
ENGINE19V732000
Risk: If the counterbalance shaft loosens, severe engine damage could occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Reported 2019-10-15
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA19V684000
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Rolls-Royce at 1-877-877-3735. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Reported 2019-09-27
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2019 BMW Z4?
Five complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2019 BMW Z4, all unverified consumer allegations. The top components cited are the engine, which appears in two reports, followed by single allegations touching the electrical system, steering, air bags, structure, and forward collision avoidance. One report involves a crash. No fires, injuries, or deaths are alleged.
5 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2019 BMW Z4?
The 2019 BMW Z4 warrants specific attention due to a park-outside starter relay recall. Any prospective buyer must verify a VIN-specific recall check at nhtsa.gov to confirm the remedy of this and any other open recalls before purchase.
- The 2019 BMW Z4 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, meaning no federal star ratings or Safety Index score exists for this specific model year.
- An active 2025 recall covering the starter relay assembly carries a park-outside directive for affected 2019 Z4 vehicles, requiring owners to avoid enclosed storage until the remedy is completed.
- Four additional recalls specific to or including the 2019 Z4 address the steering tie rod assembly, engine needle roller bearings, exterior headlamps, and a broader engine campaign, all campaigns that a VIN check at nhtsa.gov will confirm as open or closed on any individual vehicle.
- Five unverified owner complaints on file with NHTSA span the engine, electrical system, steering, air bags, structure, and forward collision avoidance, with one report involving a crash and none alleging fire, injury, or death.
RANKINGSWhere the 2019 BMW Z4 places
The 2019 BMW Z4 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2019 BMW Z4 safety questions
Was the 2019 BMW Z4 crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 6 recalls and 5 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2019 BMW Z4 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 6 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2019 BMW Z4, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2019 BMW Z4?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 5 owner complaints are on file for the 2019 BMW Z4. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the BMW Z4 2019.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.