Model year record

1999 BMW Z3

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 56 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V272000

Power train: driveline: differential unit

Component
Power train: driveline: differential unit
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
36
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-07
Owners notified
1999-12-10

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 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 OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V275000

Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables

Component
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables
Manufacturer
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Vehicles affected
1,000
Reported to NHTSA
1998-11-03
Owners notified
1998-11-30

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 risk

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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags682,000 mi
Structure: frame and members584,000 mi
Power train4101,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit4115,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module323,250 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor3
Structure: body384,000 mi
Suspension: rear387,950 mi
Seat belts2
Seats234,000 mi
Structure259,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2100,000 mi
Suspension288,000 mi
Unknown or other253,000 mi
Air bags: side/window187,950 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel187,950 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Engine188,000 mi
Equipment1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Power train: driveline: driveshaft187,950 mi
Seat belts: front123,250 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly159,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light159,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections187,950 mi
Structure: body: door187,950 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1111,000 mi

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 model has roughly the same number of 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.