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FaultScore report

1996 BMW Z3 problems

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 1996 BMW Z3 with NHTSA between 1996 and 2018. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 6 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the BMW Z3 All 1996 cars
C

FaultScore 55/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the BMW Z3.

How this is worked out

The numbers

34

Complaints

4

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

2

Injuries reported

75,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

20%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 36 vs 50 Severity 100 vs 50 Early failure 34 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 36
Against the median year of the BMW Z3. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
20.6% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 34
20% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 1996 compares with every other BMW Z3

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 1996 BMW Z3

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 9 26.5%

3 crashes, 0 fires · median 75,000 mi

Seats 5 14.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 65,000 mi

Seat Belts 5 14.7%

Median failure at 74,500 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 11.8%

Median failure at 54,400 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 3 8.8%

Median failure at 102,000 miles

Electrical System 2 5.9%
Engine & Cooling 2 5.9%

Median failure at 94,000 miles

Tires 1 2.9%
Lights 1 2.9%
Suspension 1 2.9%
Steering 1 2.9%

1 crashes, 0 fires

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

10,000 – 24,999 miles 2 13.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 13.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 2 13.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 26.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 4 26.7%
150,000+ miles 1 6.7%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Aug 1996 peak 3 May 2018

Recalls on the 1996 BMW Z3

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

06E026000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

97V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

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.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 1997173 17,879 units in Canada

Engine

On certain 318IC, 318IS, 318TI, 325I, 325IC, 325IS, 525I, 525IT, 530I, 530IT, 540I, 740I, 740IL, 840CI and M3, the cruise control and throttle cable 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 causing the outer cable housing to separate from the bushing. Throttle pedal application without cruise control engagement could cause the outer tube to catch on the edge of the broken bushing resulting in the throttle valve remaining partially open. If this were to occur, the car might not decelerate as expected and a crash could occut. Correction: A spring clip will be installed on the outer tube of each cable to prevent dislodgment from the bushing.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 100,000 miles Carlsbad, CA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN HER JEANS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10980531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL Crash

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

WHILE IN 1ST GEAR AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #10004506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntsville, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

THE BMW Z3 HIT ANOTHER CAR DIRECTLY IN THE SIDE ; THIS WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION BY THE BMW. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING HER SAFETY BELT, BUT HE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA complaint #715014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LOS Angeles, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #835884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Schaumburg, IL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER REARENDED SOMONE AND BOTH AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY . PLEASE DESCRIBE .

NHTSA complaint #801463 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 20,400 miles Haverhill, MA

SEATS

DRIVER SEAT SLIDING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION

NHTSA complaint #11098301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Carlsbad, CA Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN HER JEANS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10980531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Henderson, NV

SEATS

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARDS DURING ACCELERATION AND BREAKING AT ANY SPEED, GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY ON FULL TANK OR FLUXES ON DASH AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 3-5 MIN. AT A TIME WHEN STARTING UP IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #10649974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Henderson, NV

AIR BAGS

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARDS DURING ACCELERATION AND BREAKING AT ANY SPEED, GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY ON FULL TANK OR FLUXES ON DASH AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 3-5 MIN. AT A TIME WHEN STARTING UP IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #10649974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 102,000 miles Henderson, NV

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARDS DURING ACCELERATION AND BREAKING AT ANY SPEED, GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY ON FULL TANK OR FLUXES ON DASH AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 3-5 MIN. AT A TIME WHEN STARTING UP IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #10649974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Jacksonville, AR

SEAT BELTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE UNLATCHED WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD DEPRESS OR ADD ANY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10524931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Jacksonville, AR

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE UNLATCHED WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD DEPRESS OR ADD ANY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10524931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 94,000 miles Queencreek, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN EXHAUST FUMES AND A RATTLING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CATALIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT EROSION IN THE MONOLITH BECAME LOOSE IN THE HOUSING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT ANY TIME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF UPDATED 10/07/11

NHTSA complaint #10422490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Pasadena, MD

SEATS

THE DRIVER SEAT MOVES FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD. MY MECHANIC SAYS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE Z3'S.

NHTSA complaint #10244151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Morgantown, WV

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

DT: 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS AN INCORRECTLY MACHINED GUIDE SLEEVE IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER STATES THERE IS NO RECALL. THE PROBLEM STARTED ON MAY 23, 2001. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND OCCURS ONLY IN FIRST GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #10136997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,200 miles Kingsburg, CA

AIR BAGS

SRS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ADJUSTING THE SEAT. BMW HAS ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS RE SRS PROBLEMS, SO CLEARLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. YET BMW REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL TO PROPERLY RETROFIT THE WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA complaint #10062001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 652,122 miles Kingsburg, CA

AIR BAGS

SRS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ADJUSTING THE SEAT. ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM NUMEROUS Z3 OWNERS, THIS A COMMON PROBLEM. BMW HAS ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. AS SRS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, BMW SHOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY PROPERLY REDESIGNING THE DEFECTIVE PART(S).

NHTSA complaint #10060648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Chicago, IL

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON, BEEN REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND HAS COME ON AGAIN. MANUFACTURER STATES THAT AIRBAGS WILL NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WITHOUT REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10043236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Erial, NJ

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS UP WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WILL NOT RELEASE.

NHTSA complaint #10025497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 24,000 miles Wheaton, IL

POWER TRAIN

THE SHIFTER POPPED OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND DROPPED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER.

NHTSA complaint #10014703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tampa, FL Crash

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

WHILE IN 1ST GEAR AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #10004506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,800 miles Woodstock, CT

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

MANUAL TRANSMISSION...VIOLENTLY POPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR TO NEUTRAL POSITION UPON ACCELERATING FROM STOP..DANGEROUS, AS CAR BEHIND EXPECTS CONTINUED FORWARD MOTION, BUT MUST INSTEAD, AWAIT ANOTHER SHIFT INTO FIRST AND POSSIBLE REPEAT OF POPPING OUT OF GEAR. HAPPENS OFTEN. SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE TO REPAIR. SHOULD DEALER PAY FOR ALL?

NHTSA complaint #10002732 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN PERMATURE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT,OR NONE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER,THEY STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS THE CAUSE. HAD IT REPLACE, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8019908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

RIO Rico, AZ

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FIRESTONE TIRE FIREHAWKSZ50 AT 72182 MILES SHOWED TREAD SEPARATION FORM THE SIDE THE SAME AS FIREHAWK TIRES GTA-02. NO ACCIDENT OR INCISENT OCCURED DURING TREAD SEPARATION.

NHTSA complaint #764834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT GIVE THE CORRECT LEVEL OF FUEL. CONTACTED DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #8008828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cordova, TN

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT LOCKED UP, CAUSING RIGHT/ REAR TIRE TO STOP SPINNING. DEALERSHIP IS EXAMINING VEHICLE AND MAKING ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION.

NHTSA complaint #8001550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Orlando, FL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

DEALER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THIS A COMMON PROBLEM & REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. WHEN BRAKING, THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD ON THE RAILS 1 TO 2 INCHES. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN A SERIOUS FRONT END COLLISION THE SEAT MAY PROPEL THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER FORWARD AND WITH A LOCKED BELT CAUSE PERSONAL INJURIES TO THE OCCUPANTS. DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART AT THEIR EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #754596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fairburn, GA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY TO NUMEROUS BMW OWNERS AND THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE SEATBELT TENSIONERS.

NHTSA complaint #748049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockville Centre, NY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKS- SOMETIMES UNUSABLE -RATCHETT ASSEMBLY- DEALER REPLACED 3 X - STILL NOT WORKING -DEALER &BMW MANUF CLAIM NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT????? OTHER OWNERS HAVE SAME COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #720864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntsville, AL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

THE BMW Z3 HIT ANOTHER CAR DIRECTLY IN THE SIDE ; THIS WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION BY THE BMW. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING HER SAFETY BELT, BUT HE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA complaint #715014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.