There are 8 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2003 BMW Z4in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The contact owns a 2003 BMW Z4. The contact stated that the coolant warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that she noticed smoke underneath the hood of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed a leak on the ground located near the rear passenger’s side tire. Additionally, the contact then stated that while operating the convertible drop top, she heard an abnormal sound in the motor. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
2003 BMW, Z4-CAR STARTED FINE, THEN IT SHUT OFF, TRIED TO RESTART AND WOULDN'T. HAD VEHICLE TOWED, THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE HEAD GASKET OF THE ENGINE. *TR
BMW Z4 ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF ALL VEHICLE POWER. AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE ENGINE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.
ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. *JB
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED ENGINE "EML" MEANING ENGINE ELECTRONIC PROBLEM, BUT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT REGISTERED IN THE CAR COMPUTER. THEREFORE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *PH
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER WHICH CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH
2003 BMW Z-4 COMPUTER GLITCH THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT TO COME ON UNEXPECTEDLY AND KILL THE ENGINE RPM'S CREATTING A VERY DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL SITUATIONS FOR DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS.*AK
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026