BMW engine recalls: oil leaks, balance shafts, lost brake assist
Three unrelated engine defects, filed between October 2019 and August 2021. The 2020 S 1000 RR motorcycle can leak oil from oil cooler hoses that were not properly attached to the oil pipes, with the rear tire below. The 2019-2020 330i and 2019 Z4 may have improperly installed needle roller bearings in the counterbalance shafts, letting the shaft loosen — BMW's remedy there is a complete engine replacement. The third and largest notice covers 2019-2021 Z4 M40i, 2020 M340i, 540i, X3 M40i, 2020-2021 X4 M40i, 745Le xDrive and the Toyota Supra, where engine management software can cause a loss of braking assist during engine start. The Z4 appears in two of the three.
Warning signs to watch for
- Oil on the rear tire, bodywork or ground under an S 1000 RR
- Rear tire grip suddenly reduced on the motorcycle from oil contamination
- Brake pedal very hard to press immediately after starting the engine
- The counterbalance shaft notice describes no advance warning before engine damage
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of the three tells owners to stop driving or riding, and none requires parking outside — but all three are rated high. On the S 1000 RR, oil reaching the rear tire can cause a sudden loss of grip, so have it repaired before riding much further. A loosening counterbalance shaft can damage the engine while you are moving, which is why BMW replaces the engine; schedule it immediately. The brake assist recall leaves full mechanical braking, though stopping takes far more pedal effort.
What the free repair involves
The remedies differ completely. On the S 1000 RR, dealers replace the oil cooler assembly including the hoses. On the 330i and Z4 counterbalance shaft recall, BMW replaces the engine. The brake assist recall is corrected with an engine management software update performed at the dealer. All three repairs are free of charge.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| high | 3 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-08-02 | BMW and Toyota Supra lose power brake assist | high |
| 2019-10-15 | BMW Z4 engine balance shaft may come loose | high |
| 2019-10-02 | BMW S 1000 RR motorcycles may leak oil onto tire | high |
Common questions
BMW is replacing the whole engine — is that right?
For this defect, yes. Improperly installed counterbalance shaft needle roller bearings can let the shaft loosen and damage the engine, so BMW's stated remedy on affected 2019-2020 330i and 2019 Z4 vehicles is replacing the engine, free of charge.
Why is an engine recall about my brakes?
Because the fault sits in engine management software, not brake hardware. During engine start, the software can cause a loss of braking assist. Full mechanical braking remains available, but the pedal takes far more effort until the software is updated.
Is the Toyota Supra part of this BMW recall?
Yes. The 2020-2021 Supra is named in BMW's August 2021 engine management software recall alongside the Z4 M40i, M340i, X3 M40i and X4 M40i. Follow the recall letter you receive; the notice lists BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.