Major Problems with BMW Z3 Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used BMW Z3 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for BMW Z3

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of BMW Z3.

Model Year	Complaints
2002 Z3	5
2001 Z3	16
2000 Z3	28
1999 Z3	37
1998 Z3	28

Worst 3 BMW Z3 complaints

1998 BMW Z3 FRONTAL Victims: 2 Mileage: 53500 miles

2000 BMW Z3 AIR BAGS Victims: 2

1999 BMW Z3 SIDE/WINDOW Victims: 1 Mileage: 87950 miles

Browse BMW Z3 complaints by category

Problems with AIR BAGS, SEATS and POWER TRAIN are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from BMW Z3 owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
AIR BAGS passenger air bag failure. pressure switch in passenger seat failed. has not been repaired. *tr...	13 ~ 41835 miles
SEATS this defect was not caused by an accident however the potential danger to the passengers in the vehicle is an...	10 ~ 26300 miles
POWER TRAIN speedometor is incorrect by 9.4 miles. vehicle is going slower than speedometor is reading. manufacturer will not allow dealers to	9 ~ 63667 miles
SEAT BELTS seems to be a known problem - seat-belt guide has broken as it is warped plastic and stopping short can...	8 ~ 21438 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE all interior and exterior lights dim in brightness unexpectedly when air conditioning system cycles. dealership has examined vehicle and informed...	8 ~ 53750 miles
FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE tl*the contact owns a 2000 bmw z3. the contact heard a loud noise underneath the vehicle. a local mechanic stated...	6 ~ 91650 miles
FRONTAL > AIR BAGS air bag deployed when automobile struck an object under the car while the vehicle was traveling approximately 3 miles per	6 ~ 41133 miles
SUSPENSION bmw saw problem at the bmw z-3 homecoming. said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping...	6 ~ 66333 miles
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS passenger's side shoulder retractor keeps jamming causing a loss of protection. dealer only has unjammed shoulder strap but will not	6 ~ 4500 miles
DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN niello bmw of sacramento checked my z3 2000 for traction control light is on advise and some fluttering noise came...	5 ~ 74210 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER bmw saw problem at the bmw z-3 homecoming. said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping...	5
STRUCTURE 2001 bmw z3. consumer writes in regards to several vehicle problems and unsatisfactory customer service from dealership. *smd the consumer...	4 ~ 42500 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the consumer stated barrel cylinder in the passenger right side door just turns when the key is inserted and turns	4 ~ 21400 miles
REAR > SUSPENSION sway bar end links came loose. *ak...	4 ~ 51192 miles
SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS drivers side air bag deployed when a bouncing rock struck under the car the vehicle was traveling approximately 30 mph	4 ~ 38238 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM all interior and exterior lights dim in brightness unexpectedly when air conditioning system cycles. dealership has examined vehicle and informed...	4 ~ 11750 miles
STEERING two times we have been unable to disengage the steering wheel locked. we have had to get the car towed...	3 ~ 45733 miles
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. > ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT 2001 bmw z3. consumer writes in regards to several vehicle problems and unsatisfactory customer service from dealership. *smd the consumer...	3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING i have a z3 2001. the car keeps stalls while driving. the bmw service department in columbus ohio has been...	3
EQUIPMENT tl*the contact owns a 2001 bmw z3. the contact stated that all four valve stems had to be replaced on...	3 ~ 17213 miles
SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS consumer states that the air bag light remains on while driving. dealership contacted. *mr...	3 ~ 7750 miles
TIRES while driving at freeway left rear tire blewout causing consumer to pull over. dealer notified. size2255016 dotmxmxe. *ak the investigation	3
POWER ADJUST > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS all interior and exterior lights dim in brightness unexpectedly when air conditioning system cycles. dealership has examined vehicle and informed...	3
GLASS, SIDE/REAR > VISIBILITY 2001 bmw z3. consumer writes in regards to several vehicle problems and unsatisfactory customer service from dealership. *smd the consumer...	2
UNDERBODY SHIELDS > FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE i noticed a squeaking noise coming from the back of my 1999 bmw z3 coupe. when i had it checked...	2 ~ 105500 miles
DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 mph during clear conditions the front driver side air bag deployed without warning...	2 ~ 43975 miles
GASOLINE > ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING m series. shortly after starting vehicle it will stall when slowing down. this happens about 75 % of the time.	2
FRONT > SEAT BELTS air bag indicator light remains on continuously. took in to the dealer however the light came back on and has...	2 ~ 11625 miles
WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM bmw saw problem at the bmw z-3 homecoming. said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping...	2
MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN on the z3 2.3 manual transmission model the computer causes the engine to keep revving after the throttle is released...	2
HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING passenger seat belt failed. yh...	2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL 2002bmw z3. the abs/dsc system malfunctions at speeds above 40mph. the right front brake engages and abruptly forces the car...	1 ~ 35200 miles
SERVICE BRAKES 2002bmw z3. the abs/dsc system malfunctions at speeds above 40mph. the right front brake engages and abruptly forces the car...	1 ~ 35200 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2001 bmw z3. consumer writes in regards to several vehicle problems and unsatisfactory customer service from dealership. *smd the consumer...	1
LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the consumer stated barrel cylinder in the passenger right side door just turns when the key is inserted and turns	1 ~ 42600 miles
ENGINE my 1999 bmw roadster engine began torquing from idle to very fast without any warning. i have taken it to...	1 ~ 88000 miles
MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT i have a z3 2001. the car keeps stalls while driving. the bmw service department in columbus ohio has been...	1
VALVE > TIRES tl*the contact owns a 2001 bmw z3. the contact stated that all four valve stems had to be replaced on...	1
STABILIZER BAR > FRONT > SUSPENSION i noticed a squeaking noise coming from the back of my 1999 bmw z3 coupe. when i had it checked...	1 ~ 111000 miles
DRIVESHAFT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 mph during clear conditions the front driver side air bag deployed without warning...	1 ~ 87950 miles
HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS > HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST > STEERING dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 mph during clear conditions the front driver side air bag deployed without warning...	1 ~ 87950 miles
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 mph during clear conditions the front driver side air bag deployed without warning...	1 ~ 87950 miles
WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES > FRONT > SEAT BELTS i have had various problems with my bmw z3 2000''internal water pump failure while on the freeway rattling noises in...	1 ~ 27000 miles
HEAD RESTRAINT > FRONT ASSEMBLY > SEATS while braking and speeding the driver's seat lurched forward/backwards on the seat tracks. dealership was notified but did not resolve	1 ~ 19000 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC niello bmw of sacramento checked my z3 2000 for traction control light is on advise and some fluttering noise came...	1 ~ 51639 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS the abs light illuminated on the dashboard the driver side seat belt buckle needed to be replaced and the convertible	1 ~ 59000 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the abs light illuminated on the dashboard the driver side seat belt buckle needed to be replaced and the convertible	1 ~ 59000 miles
SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the dealer replaced the faulty electronic switch ignition on 3 separate occasions which caused the vehicle to stall. *jb...	1
PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN transmission pops or jumps out of first gear upon takeoff. *ak...	1
FRONT UNDERHOOD > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM a fire started under the hood while driving no indicator lights displayed and no odor of raw fuel was apparent	1
12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM the battery hold-down clamps were never installed at the factory a safety hazard.*ak...	1
SIDEWALL > TIRES both the left front and left rear tires have developed soft spots/bubbles in the sidewall. authorized dealers claim damage from...	1
DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC a grinding sound came from rear brakes. took vehicle to a dealer and dealer replaced rear brakes. currently at 8	1
COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING bmw saw problem at the bmw z-3 homecoming. said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping...	1
CRUISE CONTROL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL bmw saw problem at the bmw z-3 homecoming. said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping...	1
PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) > CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN bmw saw problem at the bmw z-3 homecoming. said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping...	1
FOG LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING bmw saw problem at the bmw z-3 homecoming. said if it was not the computer causing the door locks trapping...	1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL on the z3 2.3 manual transmission model the computer causes the engine to keep revving after the throttle is released...	1
STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING while making a left turn the steering locked up causing vehicle to spin out of control resulting in a collision.	1
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT rear stabilizer bar repaired several times with three replacements. mjs...	1
IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM bmw z3 is a piece of crap. dealer now thinks that there is underlying problem with vehicle. 3 cd players...	1
TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE bmw z3 is a piece of crap. dealer now thinks that there is underlying problem with vehicle. 3 cd players...	1
INTERIOR/UNDER DASH > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM i have had this vehicle serviced 4 times ... they are unable to fix the problem i lose all head	1
REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES > VISIBILITY rearview mirror creates huge blind spot and is a potential hazard....	1
ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS passenger seat belt failed. yh...	1
OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL > OTHER > EQUIPMENT owners manual states warning triangle and first aid kit are located on vehicle this is not so only offered to	1

FAQ

What year BMW Z3 is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 5 years, BMW Z3 models of 2002, 2001, 2000 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for BMW Z3?

BMW Z3 models of 1999 and 1998 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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