BMW Z3 Complaints (2001)

29 consumer complaints on file.

#11748391July 5, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Component or System Failed: The critical safety component that failed—and was deliberately tampered with—is the ABS/DSC (Anti-lock Braking System / Dynamic Stability Control) module. The compromised component is currently on the vehicle and is readily available for physical inspection upon request. How Safety Was Put at Risk: My safety and the safety of the public were severely compromised because the selling dealership actively concealed a total failure of the primary braking and traction control systems. The ABS/DSC module was physically severed and glued back together to hide the defect. This deceptive tampering disabled critical emergency braking and stability functions without my knowledge, creating an extreme accident hazard during adverse driving conditions. Confirmation by Dealer or Service Center: Yes, the pre-existing defect was confirmed by a franchise dealership service center prior to my purchase on 5/23. Official service records document that at 55,106 miles, the vehicle was diagnosed with an active ABS/Traction failure and a tampered "customer supplied part" was noted on the DSC unit. Furthermore, the selling dealership's own internal documents prove the DSC warning light was actively illuminated while they possessed and drove the vehicle before selling it to me. Inspected by Police, Insurance, or Others: The vehicle has not yet been physically inspected by police, but comprehensive photographic and documentary evidence of the tampering has been formally submitted to the State Attorney General's Office and the Department of Transportation's Office of Inspector General for active consumer fraud investigations. Warning Lamps and Symptoms: According to the franchise dealer's prior service records, the ABS and Traction Control warning lamps were actively illuminated at 55,106 miles. However, because the selling dealership physically severed and glued the safety module, these dashboard warning systems were fraudulently suppressed and concealed from me
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11404637March 24, 2021
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN ALIGHT FOR SOMETIME. I'M NOT CERTAIN IF IT'S AN AIRBAG FAILURE OR WHETHER IT'S ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS SURPRISED NOT TO FIND MY AUTO INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST EVENT. CAN YOU SHED ANY LIGHT ON THIS MATTER? IF SO, MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11326781June 1, 2020
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN ENGINE IS ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567172March 6, 2014
TIRES, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS, SEATS, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
2001 BMW Z3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON EBAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ARRIVED AND THEN EVALUATED, HE WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE OVER 10 YEARS OLD, SEVERAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE, BOTH FOG LIGHT AND LEFT PARKING AND TURNING LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD, THE SEAT BELT GUIDE ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BROKEN, THE SEATS SLID FORWARD WHEN STOPPING WHICH CAUSED HIM, TO UNEXPECTEDLY STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR THE REAR WINDOW WAS SCRATCHED AND FADED TO ZERO VISIBILITY, THE MAIN SPEAKER WAS BLOWN. IN ADDITION, A MANIFOLD HOSE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT DUE TO A LEAK, THE KEYS HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO UNLOCK THE DOORS AND TRUNK. *JB THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED, THE REAR BRAKES FAILED UPDATED 04/15/15*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10519677June 13, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOORLOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLY INSIDE DOOR BREAKS, CAUSING LOCK CYLINDER NOT TO BE HELD IN PLACE & WHEN KEY IS INSERTED IN LOCK CYLINDER THE WHOLE LOCK CYLINDER JUST TURNS WITH THE KEY. MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. I'M EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER DOOR & THE DRIVERS DOOR IS STARTING TO ACT SLOPPY ALSO. THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENCED BY MANY BMW OWNERS OF DIFFERENT MODELS. BESIDES BEING POORLY DESIGNED IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR; APPROX. $500 TO $800 PER LOCK...NOTE "THE REPAIR DOES NOT REQUIRE NEW LOCK CYLINDERS, JUST THE HARDWARE THAT HOLD THE CYLINDER INPLACE, BUT THIS HARDWARE IS DIFFICULT TO FIND & THE BMW DEALER IS USUALLY THE ONLY PLACE TO GET IT AT A HIGH COST. I HAVE SEEN DOOR LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLY HARDWARE ONLINE FOR UNDER $20.00; BUT BMW CHARGES $100 TO $200." BMW PRIDES ITSELF ON QUALITY. I THINK THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR MOUTH! I'VE HAD CARS OVER 40 YEARS OLD. THEY'VE HAD A LOT OF PROBLEMS, BUT DOOR LOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLIES, NO & IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THIS EXPENSIVE TO FIX! THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505083March 28, 2013
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE CONSUMER STATED BARREL CYLINDER IN THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE DOOR JUST TURNS WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED AND TURNS AROUND AND DOES NOT ENGAGE. *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10462350June 19, 2012
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN CITY TRAFFIC IF THE CAR STALLS OR LOCKS UP BMW 2001 Z3 2.5I (STEPTRONIC SHIFTING) *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10459349May 23, 2012
SUSPENSION
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS AUTO. I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON DECELERATION. UPON INSPECTING THE CAR, I FOUND THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS ALMOST BROKER IN HALF. THIS IS THE PART THE HOLDS THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION FOR THE CAR. FROM RESEARCH I'M FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH Z-3 BMW'S IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN THEIR ENGINEERING. I WAS VERY SHOCKED TO SEE THE DAMAGE AND THAT IF I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR, VERY SHORTLY THE PART WOULD HAVE FAILED, WIPING OUT THE WHOLE REAR SUSPENSION. I AM AMAZED THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ITEM OR THAT I WAS NOT EVEN NOTIFIED THAT THIS WAS A POTENTIAL ISSUE SO THAT I COULD MONITOR THIS AND CATCH IT BEFORE A MAJOR FAILURE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358612October 1, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THIS OCCURS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DISAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON, HOWEVER, THE CONDITION HAPPENS AGAIN. THERE IS NO ROAD ISSUES THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT OR ON A CURVE. THERE IS NO REASON FOR IT TO HAPPEN. IT IS DANGEROUS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334640June 4, 2010
EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A Z3 2001. THE CAR KEEPS STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN COLUMBUS OHIO HAS BEEN UNABLE DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL PUMP, THEN SAID IT WAS THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE THEN SAID THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.. THEY'VE HAD IT ON AND OFF SINCE MAY 6. (ABOUT ONE MONTH). THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHILE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AFTER THE CAR STALLS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT STALLS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10270028May 27, 2009
TIRES:VALVE, EQUIPMENT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR VALVE STEMS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE CRACKED AND CAUSED AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. THE VALVE STEMS WERE TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413. THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED BY TOYO. THE PART NUMBER AND SERIAL NUMBER FOR THE VALVE STEMS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,861.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239274August 22, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
I OWN A 2001 BMW Z3 3.0I ROADSTER THAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ITS DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG WHEN I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A LARGE BRUISE AND BURN ON MY LEFT ARM. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE ANY HAZARD OF SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT, AND I HAD NOT YET GOTTEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE CAR REMAINS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN, EXAMINED, DIAGNOSED, OR REPAIRED SINCE THE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS REGARDING THE MATTER. THEY SEEMED RATHER UNCONCERNED. I TOLD THEM IT IS NOT MY INTENTION TO SUE, AND LIKEWISE I WILL NOT LET THEM COVER UP THIS PROBLEM. RATHER, I WANT THEIR ENGINEERS TO TEST-BENCH MY CAR TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE OF THE MALFUNCTION AND TO ISSUE A RECALL IF APPROPRIATE. I FURTHER EXPECT THEM TO FIX THE PROBLEM, REPLACING ALL SUSPECT PARTS, AT NO COST TO ME. THEY SAID THEY WILL PASS ALONG MY CONCERNS TO THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE IN NEW JERSEY AND THAT I WILL RECEIVE A CALL BY NEXT TUESDAY. I'M NOT IMPRESSED WITH THEIR LEVEL OF CONCERN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10213729January 4, 2008
VISIBILITY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW Z3 COUPE. THE REAR WINDOW FOR THE CONVERTIBLE BECAME DISCOLORED AND TURNED A YELLOWISH-BROWN COLOR. THE VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDOW WAS GREATLY REDUCED. THE WINDOW WAS MADE OF HARD PLASTIC. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/29/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR AND HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDOW AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182940February 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER LEAVING MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I PROCEEDED TO LET MY VEHICLE WARM WHILE I CLEANED OFF THE SNOW. I THEN GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO LOOSE ENGINE POWER, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I PARKED MY CAR. I SHUT MY CAR DOWN AND AFTER TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE FAILED PART IS A CRANKCASE VENT VALVE. THE PART IS KNOWN TO FAIL IN COLD WEATHER. AND I HAVE TO HAVE OTHER PARTS REPLACED SUCH AS DIPSTICK, SPARK PLUGS, AND SEALS DUE TO THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY THIS PART. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10128530July 12, 2005
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
ON JUNE 3,2005, I HAD NEW BRAKES & TIRES PUT ON MY 2001 Z-3 BMW ROADSTER BY HENDRICKS BMW OF HICKORY,NC. ON JULY 8,2005 WHILE DECENDING MOUNTAIN RD IN CHEROKEE,NC, MY CLUTCH LOCKED-UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HENDRICK'S WHERE THEY CLAIM I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH FOR $875.00. THERE IS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I FEEL THE BMW CENTER DIDN'T CHECK THE BRAKE FLUID WHEN MY BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THAT CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO LOCK-UP. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE IF ANY OTHER Z3 OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR CLUTCH BEFORE 36,000 MILES AS I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE GOING DOWN HILL LAST FRIDAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126214June 22, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
DT:CONSUMER SAYS THAT KEY SEEMS TO STICK IN THE IGNITION . CONSUMER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, BUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO JIGGLE KEY AND GET IT TO COME LOOSE. ON JUNE 21, 2005 CONSUMER DROVE TO STORE , WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE THE IGNITION WOULD NOT MOVE. CONSUMER DROVE HOME AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE KEY. CONSUMER DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE VEHICLE OUTSIDE OF STORE WITH ENGINE RUNNING. WHEN CONSUMER ARRIVED HOME HE PROCEEDED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH VIOLENTLY UNTIL HE FINALLY GOT IGNITION TO SHUT OFF AND KEY TO DISLODGE. CONSUMER SPOKE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS SOMETIMES HAPPENED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IT WAS NOT DEALER'S RESPONSIBILITY. DEALER SAID THAT TWO CYLINDERS COULD SOMETIMES LOCK, CAUSING KEY TO BE STUCK. ALSO, DEALER SAID THAT CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY $135 JUST FOR DEALER TO LOOK AT PROBLEM. IT CAN OCCUR AT ANYTIME. PROBLEM HAPPENED FOR ABOUT A YEAR.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056139January 29, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
VEHICLE DROVE OVER A LARGE CHUNK OF CONCRETE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE SIDE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10036629August 26, 2003
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 WITH SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR AUTOMATICALLY WHEN STOPPING BUT THEN IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SHIFT KNOB AND IT DOES SO WHENEVER IT DECIDES TO DO IT. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND BMW STATES THERE IS NO RECALLS ON IT OR SERVICE BULLETINS. I KNOW OF AT LEAST FIVE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS WELL FROM A WEBSITE ROADFLY.ORG. PLEASE CHECK THIS SIT FOR MORE INFO UNDER SMG PROBLEMS. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10008957February 20, 2003
TIRES
THE FRONT TIRE DID NOT HOLD AIR.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10008959February 20, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, THE DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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