Owners have filed 66 complaints
about the 1997 BMW Z3 with NHTSA between 1997 and 2023.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 of 6 worst.
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.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 69
Against the median year of the BMW Z3. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
28.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 31
18% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
218.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
327.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
19.1%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
327.3%
150,000+ miles
218.2%
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.
Feb 1997peak 11Mar 2023
Recalls on the 1997 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 199717317,879 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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 199,000 milesFort Dick, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was a multi-car rear-end accident involving two other vehicles after she fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that no other passengers were in her vehicle; however, only the driver's side air bag had failed to deploy. The contact required hospitalization and was in a coma. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and later auctioned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the VIN was not included in an air bag recall. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11513678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesWinston-Salem, NCFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED NORMALLY. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL (5 SPEED TRANS.) TO ALLOW IT TO WARM-UP FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES WHILE I CHECKED MY VOICE MAIL ON MY PHONE. AS I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDSHIELD TO PULL OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE, I SAW DENSE WHITE SMOKE ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I LOOKED AT THE DASH FOR ANY WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHTS; THERE WERE NONE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF, POPPED THE HOOD, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. I WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL THE SMOKE WAS NO LONGER ROLLING OUT BEFORE ACTUALLY OPENING THE HOOD, AS I WAS AFRAID OF INTRODUCING A RUSH OF AIR IF SOMETHING WAS ON FIRE. AS THE SMOKE RAPIDLY INCREASED AND PROGRESSED TO BLACK SMOKE, I CALLED MY FACILITY SECURITY FROM AN EMERGENCY CALL BOX WHILE ALSO CALLING 911 FROM MY CELL PHONE. DURING THE 911 CALL, FLAMES BECAME VISIBLE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FOUR FIRE ENGINES ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. ALL FOUR LEVELS OF MY FACILITIES PARKING DECK WERE FILLED WITH TOXIC SMOKE WHICH WAS EVACUATED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE DEPT. TOLD ME THAT NIGHT THAT THE CAR WAS TOO BADLY BURNED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THEY SUPPOSED IT WAS ELECTRICAL. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR, THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR DID NOT BELIEVE THE FIRE TO BE FROM ELECTRICAL ORIGIN, BUT INSTEAD FUEL / ENGINE RELATED. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. NO SERVICE HAD BEEN RECENTLY PERFORMED. I HAD NOT BEEN EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10371628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zanesville, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON I-95 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO WORK. THE CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10101604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE CONSUME BELIEVES THIS ACCIDENT IS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL #8324 97V-131000 OF THE CRUISE CONTROL THROTTLE CABLES CABLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10001349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
League City, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL FRONTAL DAMAGE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO ARM, WRIST AND LOWER BACK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Babylon, NYFire1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AFTER VEHICLE WAS VACUUMED IT WOULD NOT START; THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE AND THE DRIVER TURNED THE KEY AGAIN TO START IT, AND A PUFF OF SMOKE CAME FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE DRIVER QUICKLY TRIED TO TURN THE KEY TO THE OFF POSITION,THEN THE LIGHTS DIMMED. THE KEY BECAME IMMOVABLE IN THE START POSITION, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR FROM ALL THE VENTS. STUNNED, THE DRIVER OPENED THE DOOR TO RUN FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND KNOCKED THE DRIVER UNCONSCIOUS. THE DRIVER WAS PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE AND REVIVED IN TIME TO GET THE NEGATIVE BATTERY TERMINAL DISCONNECTED. EMS ATTENDED TO THE DRIVER'S INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #780655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 199,000 milesFort Dick, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was a multi-car rear-end accident involving two other vehicles after she fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that no other passengers were in her vehicle; however, only the driver's side air bag had failed to deploy. The contact required hospitalization and was in a coma. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and later auctioned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the VIN was not included in an air bag recall. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000. The VIN was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11513678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 199,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
SUSPENSION
VEHICLE JERKS, SHUTTERS AND PULLS TO THE RIGHT. REAR SUB FRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL BUSHING FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10946920 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesGrant, MI
SEATS
THE SEAT TRACKS OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ALLOWED THE SEATS TO MOVE AT LEAST 10MM FORWARD AND REARWARD UNDER BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. THIS MOVEMENT CAUSES A PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10562829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,423 milesRancho Santa FE, CA
AIR BAGS
UPON STARTING THE CAR THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TWO TIME IT COST APPROXIMATELY $350 TO REPAIR. FOR THIS TO HAPPEN A THIRD TIME IS INDICATIVE OF A DESIGN FAULT.
NHTSA complaint #10404652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesWinston-Salem, NCFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE. IT STARTED NORMALLY. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL (5 SPEED TRANS.) TO ALLOW IT TO WARM-UP FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES WHILE I CHECKED MY VOICE MAIL ON MY PHONE. AS I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND LOOKED OUT THE WINDSHIELD TO PULL OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE, I SAW DENSE WHITE SMOKE ROLLING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. I LOOKED AT THE DASH FOR ANY WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHTS; THERE WERE NONE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF, POPPED THE HOOD, AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. I WANTED TO WAIT UNTIL THE SMOKE WAS NO LONGER ROLLING OUT BEFORE ACTUALLY OPENING THE HOOD, AS I WAS AFRAID OF INTRODUCING A RUSH OF AIR IF SOMETHING WAS ON FIRE. AS THE SMOKE RAPIDLY INCREASED AND PROGRESSED TO BLACK SMOKE, I CALLED MY FACILITY SECURITY FROM AN EMERGENCY CALL BOX WHILE ALSO CALLING 911 FROM MY CELL PHONE. DURING THE 911 CALL, FLAMES BECAME VISIBLE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FOUR FIRE ENGINES ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. ALL FOUR LEVELS OF MY FACILITIES PARKING DECK WERE FILLED WITH TOXIC SMOKE WHICH WAS EVACUATED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE FIRE DEPT. TOLD ME THAT NIGHT THAT THE CAR WAS TOO BADLY BURNED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THEY SUPPOSED IT WAS ELECTRICAL. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR, THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATOR DID NOT BELIEVE THE FIRE TO BE FROM ELECTRICAL ORIGIN, BUT INSTEAD FUEL / ENGINE RELATED. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED ON A REGULAR BASIS. NO SERVICE HAD BEEN RECENTLY PERFORMED. I HAD NOT BEEN EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE.
NHTSA complaint #10371628 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,000 milesJonesborough, TN
SEAT BELTS
MY 1997 BMW Z3 HAD THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON 2 YEARS AGO. THE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SEATBELT TENSIONER. HE REPLACED IT AND ALL WAS FINE. IT'S BACK ON AGAIN. IF THIS IS AS COMMON TO THESE MODELS AS I'VE HEARD WHY HASN'T BMW HAD A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS GETTING EXPENSIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10369086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,500 milesMilford, CT
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER GOT INTO FRONT SEAT AND ADJUSTED IT DOWN AND BACK WITH THE POWER SEAT CONTROLS. AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND HAS BEEN ON EVER SINCE. I CHECKED FOR BROKEN OR DAMAGED WIRING BUT FOUND NOTHING OBVIOUS. BMW IS RECALLING MANY OF THEIR NEW CARS, BUT IT SEEMS THEIR OLD ONES EXHIBIT THE SAME FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10238068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesRichmond, VA
SEATS
SEAT RAILS DO NOT LOCK PROPERLY THEREBY ALLOWING SEAT(S) TO SLIDE FORWARD DURING BRAKING. CAN POTENTIALLY LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10222149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SEATS
1997 BMW Z3 WITH SLIDING SEAT PROBLEMS CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE SEAT WOULD SLIDE FORWARD WHEN HE PUSHED ON THE BRAKE AND SLIDE BACK WHEN HE ACCELERATED**CC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE WORM GEAR ON THE SEAT BRACKET HAD WORN OUT BEYOND REPAIR AND A COMPLETE SEAT BRACKET WAS NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10199186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Zanesville, OHCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH ON I-95 WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL FEATURE ON THE VEHICLE FAILED TO WORK. THE CONSUMER HIT A GUARD RAIL AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER WAS INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #10101604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesSanta Clara, CA
AIR BAGS
MY 1997 BMW Z3 HAS THE SRS LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON, I GET IT FIXED AND IT GOES ON AGAIN. I'VE DONE THIS LIKE 3 TIMES, NOW MY MECHANIC IS SAYING IT'S LIKE 800 TO FIX. REDICULOUS! IT'A DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE, I'M NOT SUE THE SYSTEM WILL WORK NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10087000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
AIR BAGS
REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR'S AIRBAG. THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND I PAID BMW TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE SEATBELT. THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10061983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,000 milesSylvania Township, OH
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON, UNKNOWN REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10062042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesDuluth, GA
STEERING
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES STEERING JERKS SIDE TO SIDE. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE CROSSES OVER TO DIFFERENT LANES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATES THAT IS A NORMAL PROCEDURE OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10056081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Royal OAK, MI
SEATS
THE SEAT TRACKS OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ALLOWED THE SEATS TO MOVE AT LEAST 10MM FORWARD AND REARWARD UNDER BRAKING AND ACCELERATION. THIS MOVEMENT CAUSES A PARTIAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 32K MILES ON IT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PREMATURE FAILURE AND A DEFECT OF BOTH TRACKS. THIS FAILURE MODE IS DOCUMENTED BOTH ON THIS SITE AND ON MANY BMW FORUMS. THE ENTIRE TRACK ASSEMBLY OF BOTH SEATS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Royal OAK, MI
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKS UP MORE OFTEN THAN NORMAL AND AT UN-NEEDED TIMES. THIS CAUSES PAIN TO THE USER WITH THE END RESULT BEING THAT THE USER TENDS TO REMOVE THE SEAT BELT, OR IS FORCED TO SIT THERE IN PAIN WITH THE SEAT BELT ON AND LOCKED UP. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10023167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
SEATS
THE BRACKET WHICH HELD THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE FLOOR BECAME LOOSE. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO ROCK BACK AND FORTH WHEN A STOP WAS MADE. THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS NORMAL AND THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THE SEAT. *JB *CB *JB THE DEALER WITNESSED ALOT OF THIS PROBLEM. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10020196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Gabriel, CA
SEATS
FIRST FAILURE, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE COMING LOOSE FROM THE TRACK THAT THE SEATS MOVE BACK AND FORTH ON. THE SEATS CAN MOVE BACK AND FORTH A FEW INCHES, WITHOUT DEPRESSING ON THE LEVEL TO MOVE THE SEATS BACK AND FORTH. THE AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE TRACK AND IT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CONTENDS THIS IS A REPAIR ITEM AND DOES NOT BELIEVE IT TO BE DEFECT IN THE SEATS OR A SAFETY PROBLEM SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. THE FACT THAT BOTH SEATS NOW DO THIS AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR WOULD INDICATE OTHERWISE. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS ONLY 42,000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. SECOND FAILURE: THE OUTER TRIM OF THE DASHBOARD HOUSING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS COME LOOSE. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT MAY DISRUPT OR ALTER THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG SHOULD A COLLISION OCCUR. DEALERSHIP AND AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURE CONTENDS THIS SITUATION WOULD NOT CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO MALFUNCTION AND THEREFORE NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT SUPPLY INFORMATION OR DATA TO SUPPORT THEIR ASSESSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10010799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Gabriel, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FIRST FAILURE, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE COMING LOOSE FROM THE TRACK THAT THE SEATS MOVE BACK AND FORTH ON. THE SEATS CAN MOVE BACK AND FORTH A FEW INCHES, WITHOUT DEPRESSING ON THE LEVEL TO MOVE THE SEATS BACK AND FORTH. THE AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE TRACK AND IT REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER CONTENDS THIS IS A REPAIR ITEM AND DOES NOT BELIEVE IT TO BE DEFECT IN THE SEATS OR A SAFETY PROBLEM SHOULD AN ACCIDENT OCCUR. THE FACT THAT BOTH SEATS NOW DO THIS AND IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN UNDER NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR WOULD INDICATE OTHERWISE. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS ONLY 42,000 MILES AND IS LESS THAN 4 YEARS OLD. SECOND FAILURE: THE OUTER TRIM OF THE DASHBOARD HOUSING OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG HAS COME LOOSE. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS DEFECT MAY DISRUPT OR ALTER THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG SHOULD A COLLISION OCCUR. DEALERSHIP AND AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURE CONTENDS THIS SITUATION WOULD NOT CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO MALFUNCTION AND THEREFORE NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEY WOULD NOT SUPPLY INFORMATION OR DATA TO SUPPORT THEIR ASSESSMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10010799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TXCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A TREE. THE CONSUME BELIEVES THIS ACCIDENT IS RELATED TO NHTSA RECALL #8324 97V-131000 OF THE CRUISE CONTROL THROTTLE CABLES CABLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *TS *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10001349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Charlotte, NC
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISON. ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood FLA, AK
SEATS
THE SEAT DOES NOT LOCK ON THE TRACK, IT SHIFTS BACK AND FORTH WHILE ACCELERATING OR BRAKING, IT WAS A DEFECT WHEN MANFURED BUT MANUFACTURER WILL NOT CORRECT, MANY Z 3 OWNERS HAVE THE PROBLEM, I FEEL IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR KILL SOMEONE, IF IT WAS A US COMPANY LIKE GM, FORD, OR CHRY I KNOW THEY WOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE DEFECT, WHY DO WE ALLOW FOREIGN COMPANIES TO GET AWAY WITH PRODUCING A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WE WOULD NOT ALLOW ONE OF OUR COMPANIE TO PRODUCE. MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS FAULTY SEAT. BY THE WAY BMW HAS AGREED IT WAS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED BUT THEY WANT TO GET ANOTHER $4-500 BUCKS TO FIX A PROBLEM THAT WAS PLAINLY A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING PROBLEM BY THEIR OWN ADMISSION. I ASK YOU HELP ON BEHALF OF ALL THOSE Z 3 OWNERS WHO MIGHT END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE WRITTEN BMW BUT THEY DID NOT EVEN GIVE ME THE COURTESY OF AN ANSWER. HELP PLEASE.
NHTSA complaint #763069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Brattleboro, VT
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
LEFT REAR FRAME RAIL CRACKED WITH CAUSE UNKNOWN. THIS CRACK WAS ONLY DETECTED BY OWNER WHEN CHANGING TIRE. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THIS MAY HAVE COME FROM MANUFACTURE TIGHTNING FRAME TOO TIGHT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS
NHTSA complaint #8010882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gold Canyon, AZ
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
BOTH SEAT BELTS WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8006061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATEED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *AK. CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT TENSIONER AND HARNESS WAS CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, THE HOOD SENSOR FOR THE ALARM WAS REPLACED, THERE WAS A FAULTY THERMOSTAT THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE RADIATOR, THE GLOVE BOX WAS REPLACED AND THE SEAT CAME OUT OF PLACE WHEN STOPPING.
NHTSA complaint #8003673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.