NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2021 BMW Z4 Safety Record
The 2021 BMW Z4 has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 5 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2021 BMW Z4 presents a notable recall and complaint burden. Its record shows five recall campaigns, addressing the electrical system, engine, seat belts, and fuel tank. One of these recalls includes an active park-outside directive. No owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for this model year. However, the federal agency has not conducted crash tests on the 2021 Z4, meaning it carries no star ratings or a computed Safety Index. This lack of crash-test data prevents any assessment of its crashworthiness.
The 2021 BMW Z4 was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, and is named in five recall campaigns according to NHTSA federal safety data at nhtsa.gov.
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 | 5 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 0 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 BMW Z4?
The 2021 BMW Z4 carries a Heavy burden band, driven entirely by its five recall campaigns. No owner complaints have been registered for this model year. These recalls address four distinct safety systems: the electrical starter circuit, the engine, occupant seat belts, and the fuel storage tank. Of particular note is the starter relay campaign, which includes a park-outside directive for affected vehicles until the repair is completed. The recall concerning a weld defect in the fuel tank is specific to the 2020-2021 Z4 generation; it is not part of a wider multi-brand action. The NHTSA database contains no tested sibling years for the Z4 that could serve as a crash-safety reference. The Heavy burden band for the 2021 Z4 indicates the weight of its recall activity, rather than reflecting a judgment on its crash safety performance.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 BMW Z4 have any recalls?
The 2021 BMW Z4 is named in five recall campaigns. Components involved are the electrical system starter assembly, the starter assembly relay, the engine, seat belts, and the fuel tank assembly. The starter assembly relay campaign carries an active park-outside directive, meaning affected owners are advised not to park the vehicle indoors until the remedy is completed. The fuel tank recall specifically covers 2020-2021 Z4 vehicles and cites a defective weld between the fuel tank halves.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY26V056000
Risk: Fire increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine starter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 21, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 24, 2026.
Reported 2026-01-30
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
SEAT BELTS21V554000
Risk: During a crash, a seat belt retractor that does not function as intended increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417; 1-866-825-1525 (MINI); 1-877-877-3735 (Rolls Royce); and 1-888-270-9371 (Toyota).
Reported 2021-07-21
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY20V700000
Risk: The failed weld may allow fuel to leak, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Reported 2020-11-12
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 BMW Z4?
Zero owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2021 BMW Z4. No crash, fire, injury, or death allegations appear in the federal database for this model year. There are no top complaint components to report. All NHTSA complaint data represents unverified consumer allegations and not established findings.
0 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 BMW Z4?
A significant safety advisory accompanies the 2021 BMW Z4, specifically a recall addressing the starter relay, which necessitates parking the vehicle outside until repaired. Given the variability in recall completion status, any prospective owner of a 2021 BMW Z4 must conduct a VIN-specific recall check at nhtsa.gov to confirm that this, or any other open recall, has been resolved on the individual vehicle.
- The 2021 BMW Z4 has no NHTSA crash-test rating for any category, including frontal, side, or rollover, because NHTSA did not test this model year.
- One of the five recalls affecting this model year is an active park-outside campaign tied to the starter assembly relay, which advises owners not to store the vehicle in an enclosed space until the remedy is completed.
- A separate recall specific to 2020-2021 Z4 vehicles addresses a defective weld between the two halves of the fuel tank assembly, a fuel system safety concern unique to this generation.
- Despite the Heavy burden band, zero owner complaints have been submitted to NHTSA for the 2021 BMW Z4, meaning the Heavy classification reflects recall campaign volume rather than a pattern of reported field incidents.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 BMW Z4 places
The 2021 BMW Z4 qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 BMW Z4 safety questions
Was the 2021 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 5 recalls and 0 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2021 BMW Z4 have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 5 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 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 2021 BMW Z4?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 0 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 BMW Z4. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
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 2021.
- 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.