NHTSA vehicle safety data

1999 BMW Z3 Recalls & Complaints

The 1999 BMW Z3 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 39 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1999 BMW Z3. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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1999 BMW Z3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 BMW Z3, describing incidents dated March 31, 1999 to March 8, 2024.

Most-cited components

Structure 11 complaints
Air Bags 10 complaints
Power Train 9 complaints
Seat Belts 7 complaints
Suspension 6 complaints
Electrical System 2 complaints

Together, the 39 complaints on file report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11576189 · Filed March 8, 2024
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…
ODI #11288865 · Filed December 13, 2019
AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT
ODI #11288157 · Filed December 10, 2019
THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. WHETHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

Read all 39 complaints

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BMW/REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL

NHTSA #99V272000 · Power Train — Driveline — Differential Unit · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 1999 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 36 vehicles

Owners notified December 10, 1999 · Vehicles built November 24, 1998 – November 25, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL AND IF INVOLVED, WILL REPLACE IT.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 1999.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

BMW/BATTERY CABLE ATTACHMENT

NHTSA #98V275000 · Electrical System — 12V/24V/48V Battery — Cables · NHTSA notice

Reported November 3, 1998 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Potentially affected: 1,000 vehicles

Owners notified November 30, 1998 · Vehicles built August 14, 1998 – September 28, 1998 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 30, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 1999 BMW Z3. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

39 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW Z3.

Air Bags

ODI #11576189

Incident: March 8, 2024 · Filed: March 8, 2024

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?

Air Bags

ODI #11288865

Incident: July 16, 2017 · Filed: December 13, 2019

AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS LIT

Air Bags; Unknown or Other

ODI #11288157

Incident: October 10, 2019 · Filed: December 10, 2019

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON AND STAYS ON. WHETHER CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.

Suspension; Power Train; Structure

ODI #11032127

Incident: October 6, 2017 · Filed: October 6, 2017

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

Power Train

ODI #10874771

Incident: June 13, 2016 · Filed: June 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW Z3. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED INTO REVERSE, A CLANKING SOUND EMERGED FROM THE REAR END WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V272000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Suspension; Power Train

ODI #10676809

Incident: November 26, 2014 · Filed: January 20, 2015

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING IS SEPARATING FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE CAR, UNDER OR NEAR THE TRUNK AREA. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THE Z3 SERIES OF VEHICLES. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IF THE READ DIFFERENTIAL SEPARATES FROM THE SUBFRAME, AND COULD CAUSE A HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORIST. THIS APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. THE FRAME WAS DESIGNED FOR A 1.9L ENGINE, AND BMW DID NOT REDESIGN THE SUBFRAME TO ALLOW FOR THE LARGER ENGINES IT LATER SOLD IN THE Z3 SERIES OF CARS. BMW ALSO HAD THIS SAME ISSUE ON 3XX SERIES OF VEHICLES, AND AGREED TO REPAIR THOSE CARS DUE TO A CLASS ACTION LAW SUITE SETTLEMENT. BMW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE DESIGN ISSUE, AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Seats

ODI #10622505

Incident: August 18, 2005 · Filed: August 15, 2014

DRIVER SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND WOULD SLIDE FORWARD WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND BACKWARD ON ACCELERATION. THE MOVEMENT WAS ABRUPT ENOUGH TO BE DISCONCERTING, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER. BMW DEALERSHIP ADVISED IT WAS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND NOT DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS NOT AT RISK OF FULLY DETACHING. I HAVE LIVED WITH IT, BUT IT IS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS AND IT FEELS UNSAFE - AS IF THE SEAT MIGHT COME LOOSE. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING TO ANY DRIVER WHO IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO IT AND EVEN TO ME - A LIKELY CAUSE OF DRIVER ERROR OR LOSS OF CONTROL DURING ABRUPT MANEUVERS. RECENTLY AS I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET FOR SOLUTIONS I FOUND THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1999 M ROADSTER VERSION OF THE Z3. I THINK IT IS SUFFICIENT TO MERIT RECALL, BUT THAT IS WHAT YOU FOLKS DO FOR A LIVING... I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO IT CAREFULLY. PS: THE DATE THAT I ENTERED IS A VERY ROUGH ESTIMATE. I DO NOT RECALL PRECISELY WHEN THE PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED. THANK YOU *TR

Engine

ODI #10578088

Incident: October 20, 2011 · Filed: April 7, 2014

MY 1999 BMW ROADSTER ENGINE BEGAN TORQUING FROM IDLE TO VERY FAST WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MECHANICS AND THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT WOULD CAUSE THIS. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE THEN. IT WILL STOP THIS WHEN I SHUT OFF ENGINE AND TURN IT BACK ON. I FEAR THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT TO DO. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10491929

1 injury

Incident: January 7, 2013 · Filed: January 9, 2013

DRIVER SIDE (DOOR) AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. IMPACT CAUSED ME TO SWERVE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANES. *TR

Structure

ODI #10477242

Incident: September 14, 2012 · Filed: September 27, 2012

I HAVE SUBFRAME DAMAGE, IN THE TRUNK IT'S MOST VISIBLE WITH THE CARPET OUT, I CAN SEE THE SPOT WELDS HAVE POPPED, CRACKED, BROKE FREE, WHATEVER. THUS CAN CAUSE A MASSIVE RISK TO AS IF ANYMORE POP THE DIFFERENTIAL COULD POSSIBLE TEAR NEXT THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS IT UP. *TR

Other BMW Z3 model years

Check your 1999 BMW Z3 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW Z3 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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