BMW Z3 recalls & problems by year
13 recalls and 207 owner complaints across 9 model years (1996–2004).
Most complaints199747 complaints
Most recalls19993 recalls
Crashes reported16in owner complaints
Injuries reported221 death
| Year | NHTSA stars | EPA mpg | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2003 | — | — | 1 | 2 |
| 2002 | — | 19–21 mpg | 1 | 6 |
| 2001 | — | 20–21 mpg | 1 | 19 |
| 2000 | — | 19 mpg | 1 | 34 |
| 1999 | — | 19–20 mpg | 3 | 39 |
| 1998 | — | — | 1 | 30 |
| 1997 | — | 19–24 mpg | 2 | 47 |
| 1996 | — | 23 mpg | 2 | 30 |
Crash, fire, injury and death figures are what owners reported in their complaints; NHTSA does not verify them. A year with more complaints is not necessarily worse: newer and best-selling years collect more reports.
Most-reported problem areas, all years
- Air bags — 59 complaints
- Seat belts — 35 complaints
- Seats — 34 complaints
- Power train — 27 complaints
- Structure — 25 complaints
- Electrical system — 18 complaints
- Suspension — 18 complaints
- Engine and engine cooling — 15 complaints