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1999 BMW Z3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1999 BMW Z3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →
39Owner complaints

Model-year median: 30

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
30
199647
199730
199839
199934
200019
20016
2002
Compare all Z3 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Structure
11Air Bags
10Power Train
9Seat Belts
7Suspension
6
All reported categories
Electrical System
2Seats
2Unknown Or Other
2Engine
1Equipment
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Steering
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

25 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

2 reports
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87,950 miles · Oct 25, 2006
Air BagsElectrical SystemPower TrainInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DURING CLEAR CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS OR POTHOLES PRESENT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CUTS, BRUISING AND SCARING TO THE LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTUR…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DURING CLEAR CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS OR POTHOLES PRESENT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CUTS, BRUISING AND SCARING TO THE LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURIES. UPDATED 11/16/2006 -THE GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE DRIVER'S DOOR GRAB HANDLE WAS REPLACED. THE REAR SHOCKS AND MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A POWER STEERING LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE RES TO PUMP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLEX COUPLER ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171793

Mileage unknown · May 25, 2001
Electrical System

THE BATTERY HOLD-DOWN CLAMPS WERE NEVER INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

NHTSA ODI #745903

Official recalls

2

99V272000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Oct 7, 1999

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 & remedy

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.

98V275000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

Nov 3, 1998

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.