no report yet
Driveline: differential unit
Risk. 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…
1999 BMW Z3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 39 owner complaints about the 1999 BMW Z3, most often about the structure. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 8, 2024. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1999 BMW Z3 has problems
39 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
11Structure1 crash/fire/injury
10Air bags2 crash/fire/injury
9Power train1 crash/fire/injury
7Seat belts
6Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
2Seats
2Electrical system
1Steering
1Service brakes, hydraulic
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 11 | 1 |
| Air bags | 10 | 2 |
| Power train | 9 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 7 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 1 |
| Seats | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
1999 BMW Z3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. IF THIS OCCURED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE COULD STOP.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
1999 vs. every other Z3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Z3 median. How we score
'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What Z3 owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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
REAR SUBFRAME ON VEHICLE HAS TORN FROM THE REAR UNDER PANEL ON VEHICLE. THE TRUNK FLOOR ON VEHICLE IS FALLING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH, THIS POSES A MASSIVE SAFETY ISSUE. WAS TOLD BY TECHNICIAN VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO OPERATE. *TR
Own a 1999 Z3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.