Model year 2016 · Two Seaters

2016 BMW Z4: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2016 BMW Z4 at 19–26 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 4 owner complaints for this model year.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined mpg

19–26

NHTSA overall rating

—

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a BMW dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2016 BMW Z4 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2016 BMW Z4, newest first.

Electrical system: Wiring: Connectors/plugs/receptacles and 1 more component

NHTSA 24V608000 Reported Aug 13, 2024
Filed by
BMW of North America, LLC
Components
Electrical system: Wiring: Connectors/plugs/receptacles; Engine and engine cooling: Cooling system: Pump
Units affected
720,796 (estimate)
Problem
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
Risk
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2016 BMW Z4 fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2016 BMW Z4 EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Z4 sDrive28i2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic 8-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium22/32/26 mpg$3,150345
Z4 sDrive28i2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel DrivePremium22/33/26 mpg$3,150340
Z4 sDrive35i3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/23/19 mpg$4,350454
Z4 sDrive35is3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic 7-speedRear-Wheel DrivePremium17/23/19 mpg$4,350454

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2016 BMW Z4 crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2016 BMW Z4 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2016 BMW Z4 C RWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated—No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2016 BMW Z4 owner complaints

Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 BMW Z4, most recently on Feb 19, 2025. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2016 BMW Z4 complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Electrical system1
Engine and engine cooling1
Seat belts1
Unknown or other1
Vehicle speed control1

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other BMW Z4 model years

BMW Z4 by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2026 Z422–28 mpg———
2025 Z422–28 mpg01—
2024 Z426–28 mpg01—
2023 Z426–28 mpg20—
2022 Z425–28 mpg31—
2021 Z425–28 mpg51—
2020 Z426–27 mpg65—
2019 Z428 mpg65—
2015 Z419–26 mpg15—

All BMW Z4 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2016 BMW models

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with BMW.