Model line

BMW Z3

Every BMW Z3 model year on file, 1996 to 2004. Pick a year for its recalls, investigations, service bulletins and the full text of owner complaints.

Owner complaints, all model years20727 involved a crash, fire, injury or death
Model years91996 to 2004
Recall campaigns4Distinct campaigns listing it
Service bulletins90Summed across model years
By model year

The 1997 model year drew the most complaints, 47, 23% of the model's total

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, all years filed, by model year.

020406019961997471998199920002001200220032004
Source: NHTSA ODI. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA, and NHTSA publishes no sales volumes, so counts are not rates.
Components

Airbags leads the BMW Z3 complaint record

Owner complaints across all model years, by component.

Airbags
59
Seat belts
33
Seats
33
Powertrain
27
Structure
22
Suspension
18
Electrical system
15
Engine and cooling
14
Equipment
9
Steering
8
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Model years

The record for each BMW Z3 model year

Peer index compares complaints with the median vehicle of the same model year and body class (100 is the median). It corrects for age, not for how many were sold.

BMW Z3 by model year
YearBodyComplaintsSeverity indexPeer indexRecallsInvestigationsBulletins
2004Not decoded0NoneNone107
2003Convertible20.022104
2002Convertible60.0100104
2001Convertible190.0173106
2000Convertible3429.45671012
1999Convertible395.13253011
1998Convertible3013.33531021
1997Convertible4712.86272013
1996Roadster3016.7None2012
Source: NHTSA ODI. Body class from NHTSA's VIN decoder where decoded.
Latest recalls

Recent campaigns covering the BMW Z3

  • 06E-026 Mar 23, 2006
    Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above
    Lighting · 62k vehicles
  • 99V-272 Oct 7, 1999
    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles
    Powertrain · 36 vehicles
  • 98V-275 Nov 3, 1998
    Vehicle description: passenger vehicles
    Electrical system · 1,000 vehicles
  • 97V-131 Aug 19, 1997
    Cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing
    Speed control · 410k vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.