https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the BMW Z3 Roadster. en-us Mon, 21 Sep 2026 18:45:00 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1713554 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT I HEARD A CREAKING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR, I PUT IT ON JACKS TO CHECK IT OUT. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR PAN MAINLY AROUND THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT. THE CAR IS CLAIMED TO BE UNDRIVABLE BY BMW, BUT YET THEY WILL NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATTER. I SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF I DID NOT CHECK IT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CRACKS AND TEARS IN THE BODY METAL THAT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1713555 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT I HEARD A CREAKING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR, I PUT IT ON JACKS TO CHECK IT OUT. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR PAN MAINLY AROUND THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT. THE CAR IS CLAIMED TO BE UNDRIVABLE BY BMW, BUT YET THEY WILL NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATTER. I SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF I DID NOT CHECK IT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CRACKS AND TEARS IN THE BODY METAL THAT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1627682 Tue, 10 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE KEY WASN'T EVEN IN THE IGNITION. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1385403 Sat, 17 Jun 2017 00:00:00 GMT A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM REAR END WAS NOTICED. UPON INSPECTION, BY BMW DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THE REAR SUBFRAME HOLDING REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE (SPOT WELD FAILURE). I WAS TOLD IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND TO FIX IMMEDIATELY. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. HIGHER DISPLACEMENT MODELS A https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1369120 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT REAR SUBFRAME / TRUNK FLOOR / DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT FAILURE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1369121 Thu, 06 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT REAR SUBFRAME / TRUNK FLOOR / DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT FAILURE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1357129 Sat, 18 Feb 2017 00:00:00 GMT THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FILLS WITH WATER WHEN TO RAINS AND DOES NOT EMPTY. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES RUST AND MOISTURE IN THE TRUNK. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1261080 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 00:00:00 GMT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. AND ALSO LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME NOTICED THAT IT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. IT HAPPENS WHILE STATIONARY. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-1011695 Mon, 23 Sep 2013 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3 ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS, BRUISING, AND HAIR LOSS AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,754. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-931492 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT I PURCHASED CAR 6-4-12 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A SQUEAK AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK, AFTER REMOVING TRUNK LINING THE SPOT WELDS [4] WERE BROKE LOOSE IN TRUNK FLOOR FROM CROSS MEMBER WHERE REAR END IS SUPPORTED.. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT HOPING THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON CAR I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR CAR AT MY EXPENSE I ASKED IF THAT WAS AN ENG https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-931493 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT I PURCHASED CAR 6-4-12 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A SQUEAK AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK, AFTER REMOVING TRUNK LINING THE SPOT WELDS [4] WERE BROKE LOOSE IN TRUNK FLOOR FROM CROSS MEMBER WHERE REAR END IS SUPPORTED.. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT HOPING THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON CAR I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR CAR AT MY EXPENSE I ASKED IF THAT WAS AN ENG https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-931494 Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT I PURCHASED CAR 6-4-12 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A SQUEAK AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK, AFTER REMOVING TRUNK LINING THE SPOT WELDS [4] WERE BROKE LOOSE IN TRUNK FLOOR FROM CROSS MEMBER WHERE REAR END IS SUPPORTED.. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT HOPING THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON CAR I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR CAR AT MY EXPENSE I ASKED IF THAT WAS AN ENG https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-924823 Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 101 IN AGOURA HILLS, CA A SMALL ROCK APPEARING IN MY LANE MADE A CLANKING SOUND WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-923872 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A N https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-923873 Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A N https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-919816 Wed, 23 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS AUTO. I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON DECELERATION. UPON INSPECTING THE CAR, I FOUND THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS ALMOST BROKER IN HALF. THIS IS THE PART THE HOLDS THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION FOR THE CAR. FROM RESEARCH I'M FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH Z-3 BMW'S IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN THEIR ENGINEERING. I WAS VE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-885645 Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT AT 86K MILES ON MY 1998 BMW Z3, THE THIN SHEET METAL BRACKET HOLDING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UP IN PLACE WELDED TO THE CHASSIS SPLIT IN HALF CAUSING THE REAR END TO HANG. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED, ALSO AT 93,500 MILES, JUST 8 MONTHS LATER. THE CLUTCH IS STILL ORIGINAL AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN ABUSED, OR RACED. I ALWAYS BABY THE CAR BECAUSE GAS IS SO EXPENSIVE, AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-853150 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW Z3M ROADSTER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 25 MPH WHEN THE REAR FRAME OF THE VEHICLE FRACTURED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME METAL WAS EXTREMELY WEAK AND CAUSED THE FRAME TO DROP AND THE REAR AXLE TO FRACTURE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE HE COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH IF HE WERE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-832628 Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT 1998 Z3 SUBFRAME FAILURE. I'M WORRIED MY DIFFERENTIAL OR REAR END WILL FAIL DURING DRIVING AND BMW REFUSES TO FIX IT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD. BMW HAS INSPECTED MY CAR, ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM, AND BLAMED THE FAILURE ON THE MODIFICATIONS I MADE TO THE CAR, HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING IN A VERY HIGH NUMBER OF UN-MODIFIED Z3 VEHICLES AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A CLASS AC https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-819839 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT NORMAL DRIVING RESULTED IN FRAME FAILURE AT THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING POINT. THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME AND THE CROSS FRAME IS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES.. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS TRUNK FLOOR PAN SPOT WELDS BREAKING LOOSE. THE PROBLEMS RESULT IN A REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY THAT IS LOOSE AND STEERS THE CAR ERRATICALLY. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME DUE TO ERRATIC HANDLING. * https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-819840 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT NORMAL DRIVING RESULTED IN FRAME FAILURE AT THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTING POINT. THE ENTIRE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME AND THE CROSS FRAME IS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES.. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS TRUNK FLOOR PAN SPOT WELDS BREAKING LOOSE. THE PROBLEMS RESULT IN A REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY THAT IS LOOSE AND STEERS THE CAR ERRATICALLY. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME DUE TO ERRATIC HANDLING. * https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-817837 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT 2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-817838 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT 2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-796811 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Z3 SUBFRAME PROBLEM. POSSIBLE DETACHMENT OF DIFFERENTIAL FROM CAR. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-793115 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON IN OUR 1998 BMW Z3 (WITH LESS THAN 16,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER), INDICATING THE AIRBAG (OR AIRBAGS) AND SEAT BELT TENSIONERS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THIS WAS "A COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THIS MODEL AND TOLD US EXACTLY WHAT MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO ANY DIAGNOSTICS'THAT THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE SEATBELT LATCH AND https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-684534 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT I OWN A 2001 BMW Z3 3.0I ROADSTER THAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ITS DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG WHEN I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A LARGE BRUISE AND BURN ON MY LEFT ARM. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE ANY HAZARD OF SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT, AND I HAD NOT YET GOTTEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CAR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-668498 Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3 ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING 2-3 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT LINKAGE ARM FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE STEERING RACK SEVERED. HE FELT THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE LINKAGE RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE. AS OF MAY 5, 2008, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAG https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-624521 Thu, 17 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH A KNOCKING SOUND ON THE REAR OF THE CAR, A BMW Z3 , AND I HAVE NOW FOUND THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS DAMAGED. BMW ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH SOME UNITS WHEN PRODUCED, BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THIS FOR ME ON WARRANTY, ITS APPAULING. *AK https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-617831 Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT REAR SUBFRAME DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT WAS CRACKED ON 2000 BMW Z3 2.5! *AK https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3-roadster#complaint-613733 Mon, 19 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT AFTER LEAVING MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I PROCEEDED TO LET MY VEHICLE WARM WHILE I CLEANED OFF THE SNOW. I THEN GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO LOOSE ENGINE POWER, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I PARKED MY CAR.