Faulty Gas Tank Weld Recall Issued for Toyota Supra and BMW Z4

Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 owners are dealing with yet another recall for a vehicle defect, marking a series of hassles for the drivers of both models in the last year alone.

This latest recall officially gets underway January 14, 2021, according to CarBuzz.com, and involves certain models of the Supra and Z4. Specifically, for BMW’s Z4, any cars built between June 26, 2019 and July 9, 2020 are subject to the recall. For Supra drivers, the recalled models were completed between April 19, 2019 and July 16, 2020. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says investigators found a faulty weld on the fuel tank, which can cause a leak and create a fire hazard.

Fourteen BMW Z4 models are said to be recalled. Thirty-five models of the Supra coupes are also included.

BMW North America is the company issuing the recall in this case for both models. While BMW says their vehicle owners will be notified of the recall shortly, it remains unclear how Toyota’s drivers will be notified. BMW says they are not aware of any injuries or deaths as a result of the faulty weld. 

Multiple Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 Recalls

The faulty weld recall marks the fourth recall for the BMW Z4 and the sixth recall for the Supra since September 2019.

Starting last year on Sept. 12, drivers of certain models of the Supra and Z4 got notice of a “very minor” defect with the seat belt loop. An improperly welded seat belt mount could fail in a crash.

Seven cars in total were affected in that recall, but a wider spread alert was sent Sept. 27, less than two weeks later, about a defective backup camera.

51 different models had this defect, totaling to 257,481 cars, according to CNET. There was an issue with the display that left drivers unable to see the view behind the car without looking back. 

Later that year, in December, headlights on certain Supras and Z4s failed, leaving drivers in the dark. 245 total cars were recalled by the manufacturers in that case.

Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 Link

The partnership between Toyota and BMW has been called a “significant collaboration” in the auto industry. BMW engineers both vehicles’ 3-liter engine, while both the Supra and Z4 use a chassis developed by Toyota.

Experts say automakers often collaborate with each other, benefitting from lowered costs and production time. BMW is also currently working with Jaguar on a line of electric vehicles. Toyota has partnered with Subaru in the past and Ford has a relationship with Mazda now. 

These cross-company, globalized alliances can sometimes leave recall protocols not followed and notices left unissued. 

Previous Toyota Recall Problems

Car enthusiasts point to the fact Toyota hasn’t been behind any of the recalls on the Supra and Z4 models, but rather BMW. The latest recall over faulty gas tank welds came from BMW’s North American division, specifically. 

The same went for the seat belt loop mount recall. BMW was the company issuing alerts to customers, not Toyota.

Toyota was fined in 2010 for not issuing these alerts fast enough. The company paid out $32.4 million, the maximum allowed amount at the time, in two different violations. 

Is Your Vehicle Included In A Recall? 

Millions of vehicles are recalled every year for everything from minor issues to dangerous defects. 

Automakers issue alerts known as Technical Service Bulletins to their vehicle dealerships, who typically pass the information on to drivers.

It is important for vehicle owners to check for recalls. Automakers are not required to inform owners directly when they issue these bulletins. 

Furthermore, they may not cover the cost of repairs related to issues detailed on a specific technical service bulletin. There are also safety defects that fall outside the scope of a particular recall or warranty period.

You may qualify for a  Top Class Actions investigation if: 

• Your vehicle has a safety defect that has not been part of a recall.
• You or someone you know has been injured in a vehicle with a safety defect, even it is has been part of a recall.
• Your vehicle has a safety defect but is outside of the warranty period,
• Your vehicle has a failure that should be covered by the warranty, but it isn’t.