https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the BMW Z3. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 06:35:51 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-2124925 Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2000 BMW Z3. The contact’s wife stated that while coming to a stop, the driver’s side front air bag inadvertently deployed with no warning light illuminated. The contact’s wife sustained a bruised arm; no medical attention was provided. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed, and the contact’s wife was able to drive the vehicle home.. The vehicle was towed to t https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1973573 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT Hello, NHTSA released a recall warning for BMWs made from 2000 to 2006, regarding Takata airbags. "The risk to vehicle occupants is dire," it said. My 1999 BMW Z3 was made one year before this, and is not included in the recall. I have been trying to determine whether my '99 BMW has Takata airbags as well, thus far with no success. As of today, BMW will only tell me that there are no outstand https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1940979 Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT Rear subframe suspension weld bolt crack from the body subframe, Can observe on the truck of the car the fracture weld bolds. Critical, because it hold on site the differential and rear drives components. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1940980 Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT Rear subframe suspension weld bolt crack from the body subframe, Can observe on the truck of the car the fracture weld bolds. Critical, because it hold on site the differential and rear drives components. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1882768 Fri, 24 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT The contact owned a 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was a multi-car rear-end accident involving two other vehicles after she fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that no other passengers were in her vehicle; however, only the driver's side air bag had failed to deploy. The contact required https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1808936 Sun, 24 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT The BMW E36 Z3 1996-2002 (I have the 1998 1.9) are prone to having a separation of the Rear subframe from the differential causing the drivetrain to hang off the vehicle and/or rip out of the trunk's weak aluminum sheet subframe. BMW Germany has acknowledged the problem for a few individuals over the past decade and a half and kept it on the low for them to not spread it further. BMW North Americ https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1808937 Sun, 24 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT The BMW E36 Z3 1996-2002 (I have the 1998 1.9) are prone to having a separation of the Rear subframe from the differential causing the drivetrain to hang off the vehicle and/or rip out of the trunk's weak aluminum sheet subframe. BMW Germany has acknowledged the problem for a few individuals over the past decade and a half and kept it on the low for them to not spread it further. BMW North Americ https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1736087 Wed, 24 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN ALIGHT FOR SOMETIME. I'M NOT CERTAIN IF IT'S AN AIRBAG FAILURE OR WHETHER IT'S ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS SURPRISED NOT TO FIND MY AUTO INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST EVENT. CAN YOU SHED ANY LIGHT ON THIS MATTER? IF SO, MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1713540 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT THE SUBFRAME IS TEARING APART FROM THE FRAME ITSELF IN THE TRUNK. SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED AND SEPARATION IS OBVIOUS. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 2000#VPIC# 4 - VIN CORRECTED, ERROR IN ONE POSITION ONLY (INDICATED BY ! IN SUGGESTED VIN), MULTIPLE MATCHES FOUND; 14 - UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THE VIN. #VPIC# ## https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1713541 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT THE SUBFRAME IS TEARING APART FROM THE FRAME ITSELF IN THE TRUNK. SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED AND SEPARATION IS OBVIOUS. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 2000#VPIC# 4 - VIN CORRECTED, ERROR IN ONE POSITION ONLY (INDICATED BY ! IN SUGGESTED VIN), MULTIPLE MATCHES FOUND; 14 - UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THE VIN. #VPIC# ## https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1713542 Tue, 15 Dec 2020 00:00:00 GMT THE SUBFRAME IS TEARING APART FROM THE FRAME ITSELF IN THE TRUNK. SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED AND SEPARATION IS OBVIOUS. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 2000#VPIC# 4 - VIN CORRECTED, ERROR IN ONE POSITION ONLY (INDICATED BY ! IN SUGGESTED VIN), MULTIPLE MATCHES FOUND; 14 - UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THE VIN. #VPIC# ## https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1691944 Sat, 12 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT BOTH AIRBAGS POPPED WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED AT 711. MY DASH AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CAR WAS NOT STARTED. I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT. HAD JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1691945 Sat, 12 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMT BOTH AIRBAGS POPPED WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED AT 711. MY DASH AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CAR WAS NOT STARTED. I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT. HAD JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1683955 Tue, 11 Aug 2020 00:00:00 GMT THE AIR BAG COMES ON ALL THE TIME . I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE TAKAT A AIR BAGS https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1677862 Sat, 18 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON THE LEFT BLINKERS STARTS BLINKING RAPIDLY AND IS VERY DIM SO NOT REALLY VISIBLE. WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN MOVING. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED ON BMW FORUMS LIKE FOLLOWS: HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=537810://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=537810 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1677863 Sat, 18 Jul 2020 00:00:00 GMT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON THE LEFT BLINKERS STARTS BLINKING RAPIDLY AND IS VERY DIM SO NOT REALLY VISIBLE. WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF IT OPERATES NORMALLY. THIS HAPPENS WHEN STATIONARY AND WHEN MOVING. I HAVE SEEN A NUMBER OF SAME PROBLEMS REPORTED ON BMW FORUMS LIKE FOLLOWS: HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=537810://WWW.BIMMERFEST.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=537810 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1666334 Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 GMT PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN ENGINE IS ON. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1652178 Thu, 05 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM COMPLAINT MADE IN DEC., REF. #11288210. FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING FRONT WINDOW TO SHATTER AND DASH IS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE PERSON SAT IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND IT EXPLODED. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1628588 Fri, 13 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1627610 Tue, 10 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. WHETHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1627611 Tue, 10 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. WHETHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1626279 Thu, 05 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT AIR BAG FAULT LIGHT IS COMING IN AND OUT ON THE VEHICLE DISPLAY https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1607285 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT 2002BMW Z3. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40MPH. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGES AND ABRUPTLY FORCES THE CAR TO PULL HARD RIGHT. THE ABS LIGHTS ON THE DISPLAY PANEL. NO BUMPS OR BAD ROAD CONDITIONS WERE EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO OR AT THE TIME THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ENDANGERING NOT ONLY THE DRIVER, BUT ALL VEHICLE DRIVERS IN PROXIMITY. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1607286 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT 2002BMW Z3. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40MPH. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGES AND ABRUPTLY FORCES THE CAR TO PULL HARD RIGHT. THE ABS LIGHTS ON THE DISPLAY PANEL. NO BUMPS OR BAD ROAD CONDITIONS WERE EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO OR AT THE TIME THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ENDANGERING NOT ONLY THE DRIVER, BUT ALL VEHICLE DRIVERS IN PROXIMITY. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1607287 Sat, 28 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT 2002BMW Z3. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40MPH. THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE ENGAGES AND ABRUPTLY FORCES THE CAR TO PULL HARD RIGHT. THE ABS LIGHTS ON THE DISPLAY PANEL. NO BUMPS OR BAD ROAD CONDITIONS WERE EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO OR AT THE TIME THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ENDANGERING NOT ONLY THE DRIVER, BUT ALL VEHICLE DRIVERS IN PROXIMITY. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1605705 Mon, 23 Sep 2019 00:00:00 GMT SEATS MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES OR DECELERATES, ITS A KNOWN ISSUE OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD NOT FALL ON THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1529841 Wed, 09 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1529842 Wed, 09 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1529843 Wed, 09 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-z3#complaint-1482623 Fri, 13 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED VERTEBRAE DAMAGE, A STERNUM CONTUSION, AND BREATHING ISSUES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE