Model year record

1997 BMW Z3

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 66 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V131000

Vehicle speed control

Component
Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
410,000
Reported to NHTSA
1997-08-19
Owners notified
1997-10-30

Defect description

THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seats1188,000 mi
Air bags1056,423 mi
Seat belts4131,000 mi
Unknown or other4110,000 mi
Air bags: frontal3
Engine and engine cooling: engine3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Vehicle speed control2
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module134,000 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly1
Air bags: side/window1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Exterior lighting: headlights1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
Power train: driveline: differential unit1
Power train: manual transmission1
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler1
Steering172,000 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension1199,000 mi

The 1996 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.