1999 BMW Z3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
56
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 BMW Z3
The 1999 BMW Z3 has received a total of 56 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (6 complaints), Structureframe And Members (5 complaints), and Power Train (4 complaints).
Recalls for the 1999 BMW Z3
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1999 BMW Z3, potentially affecting up to 62,980 vehicles.
Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 99V272000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
| 36 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL MAY CONTAIN RING GEAR BOLTS THAT WERE INCORRECTLY TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE BOLT OR BOLTS COULD LOOSEN LEADING TO NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence: THE BOLT OR BOLTS COULD LOOSEN LEADING TO NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND IF A BOLT WERE TO COMPLETELY WORK LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNT, LOCKUP OF THE REAR AXLE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL AND IF INVOLVED, WILL REPLACE IT.
View full details →Recall 98V275000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 1,000 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE NUT THAT SECURES THE MAIN POSITIVE CABLE TO THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMP WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY, ALLOWING THE CABLE TO LOOSEN OVER TIME. IF THIS OCCURRED, THE CABLE COULD ULTIMATELY LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY COULD BE INTERRUPTED.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE COULD STOP. ALSO, IF THE VEHICLE WERE BEING OPERATED AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTING SYSTEM COULD SHUT OFF, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 BMW Z3
56 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW Z3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 outstanding recalls for my car - they have not been willing to tell me what type of airbags they originally installed in it. Do your records indicate what type of airbags I have?
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. WHETHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. WHETHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
VERY WELL KNOWN FAILURE, JUST SEARCH FOR "BMW Z3 SUBFRAME FAILURE". IT IS A DESIGN FLAW BY BMW THAT AFFECTS A LOT OF Z3'S THROUGH ALL MODEL YEARS. MINE STARTED TO POP ONE WELD AT 88K MILES. IT CAN CAUSE THE REAR ALIGNMENT TO BE OFF, IN WORST CASE THE TRUNK FLOOR IS TORN OUT AND THE DIFFERENTIAL FALLS TO THE GROUND. CLUNKING FROM THE BACK WHILE SHIFTING IN THE FIRST TWO GEARS IS ONE INDICATOR THIS DAMAGE IS NOT FAR AWAY. THIS IS ONE FORUM THREAD THAT DESCRIBES THE ISSUE WELL: HTTPS://WWW.BIMMERFORUMS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?1979601-SUBFRAME-TRUNK-FLOOR-DIFFERENTIAL-MOUNT-FAILURE
Safety Rating for the 1999 BMW Z3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 BMW Z3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 BMW Z3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 BMW Z3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
620300 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
SUBJECT REGARDING SHORT CIRCUIT CAUSING VARIOUS INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAULTS. *TT
160199 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CONCERNS WITH FUEL GAUGE READING 1/4 WHEN TANK IS FULL. *TT
620199 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
CONCERNS WITH FUEL GAUGE READING 1/4 WHEN TANK IS FULL. *TT
160199 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
SUBJECT ON FUEL GAUGE READING 1/4 WHEN TAK IS FULL. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 BMW Z3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW Z3
- 1996 BMW Z3 — 34 complaints
- 1997 BMW Z3 — 66 complaints
- 1998 BMW Z3 — 45 complaints
- 1999 BMW Z3 (current)
- 2000 BMW Z3 — 54 complaints
- 2001 BMW Z3 — 28 complaints
- 2002 BMW Z3 — 9 complaints
- 2003 BMW Z3 — 4 complaints
- 2004 BMW Z3 — 0 complaints