There are 3 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2009 BMW Z4in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
The airbag sensor in my passenger seat has failed. I have been quoted approximately $2000 to repair this. However researching online I see BMW Service Bulletin SB-[XXX] which indicates this may be a widespread problem? [XXX] I am concerned to take passengers in the vehicle as I do not know if the airbags will deploy, or deploy at the wrong "rate" based on my understanding of how the sensors work. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Drivers side seat belt frayed at the point where it comes out of the vehicle when I am seated and buckled in. This is nearly impossible for me to see and I only saw it by chance pulling the seat belt out for some incidental reason. I am unclear how long it had been like this. Otherwise this defect is completely hidden as it disappears into the vehicle when I unbuckle.
THE SEAT BELT IS FRAYING AT THE POINT WHERE IT MOST COMMONLY RESTS AGAINST THE CHASSIS WHILE I AM WEARING IT. IT SEEMS TO BE RUBBING AGAINST THE CAR CAUSING IT TO FRAY. I ONLY NOTICED IT BY CHANCE, AS IT IS NOT A COMMON SPOT TO LOOK AT WHILE SEATED IN THE VEHICLE.
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