Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2003 BMW Z3 peaked in 2012, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
2003 BMW Z3
Convertible, gasoline, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Jul 19, 2012 to May 5, 2015.
Recall campaigns covering this model year162k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints2Below the median 2003 convertible
Severity index0.02003 convertibles average 6.2
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
50% of complaints about the 2003 BMW Z3 name engine and cooling
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 2003 BMW Z3
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 61,944 | Refund or buyback |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2003 BMW Z3
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed May 5, 2015Failure Apr 2, 201529,000 milesGrapevine, TXSteering, Suspension, Wheels
AS I HAVE LEARNED AS I RESEARCH WHAT I THOUGH WAS AN ISOLATED DANGEROUS STEERING ISSUE IS THAT THERE ARE MANY MANY BMW Z4 DANGEROUSLY DRIVING ON OUR PUBLIC ROADS. MY CAR STEERS IN MANY DIRECTIONS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, ESPECIALLY IN HOTTER WEATHER WHERE AS THE TEMPERATURE STARTS TO GET HOTTER IT SEEMS THAT MY NEWLY PURCHASED USED BMW Z4 LOSSES ALL POWER STEERING, ITS LIKE DRIVING A CAR THAT IS TURNED OFF FROM THE STEERING PERSPECTIVE. I LIVE IN THE DALLAS METROPLEX SO AS IT BEEN GETTING HOTTER I HAVE FOUND OUT FIRST HAND THAT THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WITH 100% FULL ATTENTION TO WORK THE STEERING. PLEASE HAVE BMW FACE UP TO WHAT THEY KNOW IS A SERIOUS RECALL AND A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH ON OUR HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS. SINCERELY [XXX] OWNER OF A 2003 BMW Z4 WITH LESS THAN 30K MILES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA complaint 10714743 - Filed Jul 19, 2012Failure Jul 2, 2012Issaquah, WAEngine and engine cooling
2008 BMW X3. CONSUMER STATES DEFECTIVE MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS THAT HAVE FAILED RESULTING IN A STRESS FAILURE OF THE COOLING SYSTEM *TGW
NHTSA complaint 10467326
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
4 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- SI B12 12 10 Jun 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW: WHEN AT LOWER SPEEDS OR STOPPING THE ENGINE IDLE DIPS TOO LOW BECAUSE OF A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. *RM - SIB-63-02-01 Aug 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM - SIB-32-04-07 Jun 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW: A NEW TECHNICAL PROCESS HAS BEEN CREATED FOR BMW TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF STEERING COMPLAINTS WITH A WIDE RANGE OF MODELS. *RM - SIB-16-02-09 Dec 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES…
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.