2001 BMW Z3

19 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

1. Filed Jul 5, 2026Failure May 23, 2026Austin, TXElectrical system, Service brakes, Suspension

   Component or System Failed: The critical safety component that failed—and was deliberately tampered with—is the ABS/DSC (Anti-lock Braking System / Dynamic Stability Control) module. The compromised component is currently on the vehicle and is readily available for physical inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: My safety and the safety of the public were severely compromised because the selling dealership actively concealed a total failure of the primary braking and traction control systems. The ABS/DSC module was physically severed and glued back together to hide the defect. This deceptive tampering disabled critical emergency braking and stability functions without my knowledge, creating an extreme accident hazard during adverse driving conditions. Confirmation by Dealer or Service Center: Yes, the pre-existing defect was confirmed by a franchise dealership service center prior to my purchase on 5/23. Official service records document that at 55,106 miles, the vehicle was diagnosed with an active ABS/Traction failure and a tampered "customer supplied part" was noted on the DSC unit. Furthermore, the selling dealership's own internal documents prove the DSC warning light was actively illuminated while they possessed and drove the vehicle before selling it to me. Inspected by Police, Insurance, or Others: The vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by police, but comprehensive photographic and documentary evidence of the tampering has been formally submitted to the State Attorney General's Office and the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General for active consumer fraud investigations. Warning Lamps and Symptoms: According to the franchise dealer's prior service records, the ABS and Traction Control warning lamps were actively illuminated at 55,106 miles. However, because the selling dealership physically severed and glued the safety module, these dashboard warning systems were fraudulently suppressed and concealed from me

   NHTSA complaint 11748391
2. Filed Mar 24, 2021Failure Jan 1, 2013North Beach, MDAir bags

   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.

   NHTSA complaint 11404637
3. Filed Jun 1, 2020Failure Dec 10, 201929,300 milesNewton, MAAir bags

   PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN ENGINE IS ON. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 11326781
4. Filed Mar 6, 2014Failure Mar 3, 2014Palm Desert, CAEngine and engine cooling, Radio/tape deck/cd etc., Exterior lighting, Seat belts

   2001 BMW Z3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON EBAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ARRIVED AND THEN EVALUATED, HE WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE OVER 10 YEARS OLD, SEVERAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE, BOTH FOG LIGHT AND LEFT PARKING AND TURNING LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD, THE SEAT BELT GUIDE ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BROKEN, THE SEATS SLID FORWARD WHEN STOPPING WHICH CAUSED HIM, TO UNEXPECTEDLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR THE REAR WINDOW WAS SCRATCHED AND FADED TO ZERO VISIBILITY, THE MAIN SPEAKER WAS BLOWN. IN ADDITION, A MANIFOLD HOSE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A LEAK, THE KEYS HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND TRUNK. *JB THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED UPDATED 04/15/15*JB

   NHTSA complaint 10567172
5. Filed Jun 13, 2013Failure Jul 17, 201243,000 milesNaples, FLLatches/locks/linkages

   DOORLOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLY INSIDE DOOR BREAKS, CAUSING LOCK CYLINDER NOT TO BE HELD IN PLACE & WHEN KEY IS INSERTED IN LOCK CYLINDER THE WHOLE LOCK CYLINDER JUST TURNS WITH THE KEY. MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. I'M EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER DOOR & THE DRIVERS DOOR IS STARTING TO ACT SLOPPY ALSO. THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MANY BMW OWNERS OF DIFFERENT MODELS. BESIDES BEING POORLY DESIGNED IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR; APPROX. $500 TO $800 PER LOCK...NOTE "THE REPAIR DOES NOT REQUIRE NEW LOCK CYLINDERS, JUST THE HARDWARE THAT HOLD THE CYLINDER INPLACE, BUT THIS HARDWARE IS DIFFICULT TO FIND & THE BMW DEALER IS USUALLY THE ONLY PLACE TO GET IT AT A HIGH COST. I HAVE SEEN DOOR LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLY HARDWARE ONLINE FOR UNDER $20.00; BUT BMW CHARGES $100 TO $200." BMW PRIDES ITSELF ON QUALITY. I THINK THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR MOUTH! I'VE HAD CARS OVER 40 YEARS OLD. THEY'VE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS, BUT DOOR LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES, NO & IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THIS EXPENSIVE TO FIX! THANK YOU *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10519677
6. Filed Mar 28, 2013Failure Mar 12, 201342,600 milesNaples, FLLatch, Latches/locks/linkages

   THE CONSUMER STATED BARREL CYLINDER IN THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE DOOR JUST TURNS WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED AND TURNS AROUND AND DOES NOT ENGAGE. *BF

   NHTSA complaint 10505083
7. Filed Jun 4, 2010Failure Jun 4, 201081,000 milesGroveport, OHEngine and engine cooling

   I HAVE A Z3 2001. THE CAR KEEPS STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN COLUMBUS OHIO HAS BEEN UNABLE DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL PUMP, THEN SAID IT WAS THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE THEN SAID THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.. THEY'VE HAD IT ON AND OFF SINCE MAY 6. (ABOUT ONE MONTH). THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHILE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AFTER THE CAR STALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT STALLS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10334640
8. Filed May 27, 2009Failure May 26, 200929,861 milesLincoln University, PAEquipment

   TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR VALVE STEMS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE CRACKED AND CAUSED AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. THE VALVE STEMS WERE TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413. THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED BY TOYO. THE PART NUMBER AND SERIAL NUMBER FOR THE VALVE STEMS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,861.

   NHTSA complaint 10270028
9. Filed Feb 20, 2003Failure Feb 20, 2003Concord, CASwitch

   THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAULTY ELECTRONIC SWITCH IGNITION ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *JB

   NHTSA complaint 10008962
10. Filed Feb 20, 2003Failure Feb 19, 2003Concord, CAPower adjust

    THE SEAT MOTOR DID NOT WORK, DEALER REPLACED THE MOTOR. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10008960
11. Filed Feb 20, 2003Failure Feb 20, 2003Concord, CAElectrical system

    THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 10008959
12. Filed Feb 20, 2003Failure Feb 20, 2003Concord, CATires

    THE FRONT TIRE DID NOT HOLD AIR.*JB

    NHTSA complaint 10008957
13. Filed Oct 24, 2002Failure May 1, 2002Cleveland, OHSeats

    THIS DEFECT WAS NOT CAUSED BY AN ACCIDENT, HOWEVER THE POTENTIAL DANGER TO THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE IS AN OPEN QUESTION. THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN MY 2001 Z3 ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHEN ACCELLERATING, COMING TO A STOP OR EVEN WHEN MERELY SHIFTING MY WEIGHT ON MY RIGHT LEG WHEN MOVING MY RIGHT FOOT FROM ACCELLERATOR TO BRAKE. I HAVE NOTIFIED BOTH MY DEALER, BMW CLEVELAND, AND BMW NORTH AMERICA OF THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER INITIALLY DENIED THAT A PROBLEM EXISTED THEN, AFTER GETTING BMW NORTH AMERICA'S CUSTOMER SERVICE INVOLVED, ADMITTED THE PROBLEM AND ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, BY OCTOBER OF 2002 THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. THE DEALER HAS NOW UPON A LATER VISIT STATED NOTHING CAN BE DONE. I AM ONCE AGAIN IN CONTACT WITH BMW NORTH AMERICA WHO DENIES THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM AND DENIES BEING AWARE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A PERVASIVE DESIGN DEFECT AMONG Z3'S. I HAVE LOCATED AND FORWARDED TO BMW NORTH AMERICA DOCUMENTATION THAT LOOSE SEATS ARE IN FACT A PERVASIVE PROBLEM AMONG Z3'S. THAT COUNTLESS OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO THEIR DEALERS AND THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMMUNICATED THE EXISTENCE OF THIS PROBLEM TO BMW NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVES. I HAVE ALSO DIRECTED BMW TO AN INTERNET FORUM WHERE AT LEAST 70 OTHER OWNERS HAVE CORROBORATED THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, ONE OF THE OWNERS ON THAT WEBSITE HAS ENGINEERED NYLON BUSHINGS IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. HE HAS REPORTED TO ME THAT HE HAS DISTRIBUTED BUSHINGS TO APPROXIMATELY 150 Z3 OWNERS. HOWEVER, TO DATE, BMW NORTH AMERICA HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MY MOST RECENT ALLEGATIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION. DT

    NHTSA complaint 768843
14. Filed Aug 20, 2002Failure Aug 15, 2002Porthueneme, CATires

    WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. SIZE2255016, DOTMXMXE. *AK THE INVESTIGATION SHOWED THAT THE TIRE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY ROAD HAZARD. *YH

    NHTSA complaint 8016759
15. Filed Jan 27, 2002Failure Jul 8, 2000Morganville, NJSeat belts

    THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONS. THE AUTOMATIC TENSION DOES NOT WORK. DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR TWICE AND TOLD ME THIS IS JUST THE WAY IT IS. IT IS UNSAFE AS IT DOES NOT TIGHTEN AROUND PASSENGER AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SAFETY IN THE EVENET OF A CRASH. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 757402
16. Filed Jan 3, 2002Failure Jun 21, 2001Salinas, CAElectrical system, Power adjust, Body

    ALL INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS DIM IN BRIGHTNESS UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM CYCLES. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND INFORMED CONSUMER THIS IT IS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE, AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM, ON LAST VISIT DEALER REPLACED ALTERNATOR, CONSUMER AND DEALER WORKING OUT TRADE-IN DEAL.*AK *TT CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE IDLE STARTS GOING UP AND DOWN, AND VEHICLE ALSO LOSES POWER WHEN THE A/C IS ON, DEALER STATED THIS IS NORMAL REACTION OF THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO THE SUDDED INCREASE IN ELECTRICAL LOAD. RIGHT SIDE SEAT SWITCH IS LOOSE AND GETS STUCK, DEALER REPLACED SEAT SWITCH. CONSUMER HEARS A SQUEAKING/POPPING NOISE AT REAR OF DRIVERS DOOR OR CONVERTIBLE TOP NEAR DRIVERS SHOULDER AREA. *SLC

    NHTSA complaint 8001422
17. Filed Dec 28, 2001NEW Braunfels, TXPower train

    SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO TELL EXACT MILEAGE OF VEHICLE. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 8001220
18. Filed Dec 28, 2001Failure Jul 31, 2001NEW Braunfels, TXPower train

    SPEEDOMETOR IS INCORRECT BY 9.4 MILES. VEHICLE IS GOING SLOWER THAN SPEEDOMETOR IS READING. MANUFACTURER WILL NOT ALLOW DEALERS TO FIX PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 8001219
19. Filed Dec 6, 2001Failure Jul 15, 2001Waynesboro, VAGasoline

    M SERIES. SHORTLY AFTER STARTING VEHICLE IT WILL STALL WHEN SLOWING DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 75 % OF THE TIME. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 3-4 TIMES, AND ENGINE COMPUTER WAS UPDATED. HOWEVER, THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 899932