N20B20
N20B20 156 hp (115 kW, 2013-2016) engine: faults and reliability
BMW N20 (N20B20 / N20B20A / N20B20B) version
With caution
It shares with the rest of the N20 family the risk of wear to the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015.[1]
What changes in this version
Faults of the N20B20 engine
The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.
- 1Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingTiming chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)Yes: on BMW N20s built mainly between 2011 and 2015, the timing chain guides and tensioner wear out early; if the chain jumps teeth it can put pistons and valves out of sync and cause catastrophic damage. BMW revised the design in 2015, without a formal recall.Appears at around 129,000 km
- 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingElectric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk)The N20 has an electric water pump whose connector can suffer ingress of blow-by liquid; a short circuit can cause local overheating and, very rarely, a fire. BMW recalled 720,000 vehicles in the US in 2024, not including the European Union or Spain.
- 3Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housingYes: with the years and heat cycles, the rocker cover gasket and the oil filter housing or cooler gasket on the N20 start to weep oil; it is not an acute defect but expected wear that is worth watching before the oil level drops too low.
- 4Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboWastegate noise and plastic charge pipe breakageThe N20's single TwinScroll turbo is not, in itself, a frequent point of failure, but over the years wastegate noise or rattle and a loss of pressure can appear, and the plastic pipe that carries air from the turbo to the intercooler can crack, especially with poor maintenance or on modified engines.
- 5Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalInjectionHigh-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failureThe high-pressure pump that feeds the N20's direct injection (High Precision Injection) can fail, especially on high-mileage units, leaving the car with hard starting, jerking or, in the worst case, unable to start.
Cars fitted with the N20B20 engine
Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.
BMW
- BMW Z4 E89sDrive18i · sDrive20i · sDrive28i2011–2016[3]
Frequently asked questions
Is the N20B20 engine reliable?
Our verdict is “With caution”. It shares with the rest of the N20 family the risk of wear to the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015.[1]
What faults does the N20B20 engine have?
The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015) (critical severity), electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk) (critical severity), oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housing (medium severity), wastegate noise and plastic charge pipe breakage (medium severity) and high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure (medium severity).
Which cars use the N20B20 engine?
BMW Z4 E89 (2011–2016).[3]
Are you buying a car with the N20B20 engine?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- BMW N20 Engine: Pros, Cons, Reliability, Tuning, and Maintenance GuideBMW BLOG · Motoring press · published 8 June 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026
- BMW N20Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- BMW Z4 (E89)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026