BMW Z3 Complaints

253 consumer complaints on file.

#10244305October 3, 2008
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS AN 8 INCH FRACTURE IN THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY WELDED THE FRAME. ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR TIRES, WHERE THE CRACK WAS LOCATED, HAD ABNORMAL WEAR. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE BACK TO A MECHANIC AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING IT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244151October 1, 2008
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. *TR
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
#10238068August 13, 2008
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10226732May 5, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3 ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING 2-3 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT LINKAGE ARM FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE STEERING RACK SEVERED. HE FELT THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE LINKAGE RUBBING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE. AS OF MAY 5, 2008, THE MECHANIC HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 22,000. UPDATED 05/20/08. *LJ THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS MODULE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE STEERING TUBE, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING TUBE TO SPPLIT IN TWO. UPDATED 05/20/08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10222149March 24, 2008
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
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
#10209219November 17, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS, STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION:FRONT:STABILIZER BAR
I NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY 1999 BMW Z3 COUPE. WHEN I HAD IT CHECKED I FOUND IT WAS A SMALL CRACK WHERE THE SUBFRAME HAD BEEN FACTORY REINFORCED. THE REINFORCEMENTS WERE FAILING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR NEAR THE TRUNK FLOORING AND THE SWAYBAR. THE MECHANIC STATED IT WOULD COST $6500 TO REPLACE THE CRACKING FRAME, OR I COULD GO TO ANOTHER SHOP AND HAVE IT SPOT WELDED TO REINFORCE AND STOP THE CRACK FROM GETTING LARGER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199186August 7, 2007
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. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197346July 24, 2007
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW Z3. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED, THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOVES BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197347July 24, 2007
SEATS
MARCH 2007 DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND UPON STOPPING AT RED LIGHT SEAT JOLTS FORWARD CAUSING FOOT TO SLIP OFF OF BRAKE AND NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENS CONSTANTLY NOW ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT OF 1998 BMW Z-3. UPON TAKING CAR TO SHOP AFTER SHOP AND DEALER I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST $470.00 A SEAT TO FIX. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PART WAS DETERMINED DEFECTIVE BY BMW AND CHANGED IN THE NEXT MODEL AFTER IT WAS DISCOVERED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THESE PARTS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED TO SAVE THE PUBLIC FROM USELESS AND AVOIDABLE ACCIDENTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10191028May 17, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH A KNOCKING SOUND ON THE REAR OF THE CAR, A BMW Z3 , AND I HAVE NOW FOUND THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS DAMAGED. BMW ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT WITH SOME UNITS WHEN PRODUCED, BUT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THIS FOR ME ON WARRANTY, ITS APPAULING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10188514April 22, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
1999 Z3 M COUPE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT TRUNK FLOOR SUPPORT FAILURE. I TOOK IN MY CAR FOR MY 90 THOUSAND MILE SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED BY THE SHOP (WWW.THEMSHOP.COM) LOCATED IN GLENDALE, CA. THAT MY SUBFLOOR WAS CRACKED AND UNLESS I FIXED IT MY CAR WOULD BE USELESS, AND NOT DRIVABLE. I HAD TO SPEND OVER $2,800 TO FIX MY CAR WHICH IS VERY DISAPPOINTING ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS A WEEKEND CAR NOW AND WHEN YOU PAY $46,000 FOR A BMW YOU DO NOT EXPECT THE FRAME TO FAIL.... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10185969March 23, 2007
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
REAR SUBFRAME DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT WAS CRACKED ON 2000 BMW Z3 2.5! *AK
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
#10171793October 25, 2006
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, SUSPENSION:REAR, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH DURING CLEAR CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO DEBRIS OR POTHOLES PRESENT. THE CONTACT SUFFERED CUTS, BRUISING AND SCARING TO THE LEFT ARM. THE CONTACT DROVE TO THE HOSPITAL. THE SERVICE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE AND INJURIES. UPDATED 11/16/2006 -THE GAS GAUGE AND ODOMETER WERE INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE DRIVER'S DOOR GRAB HANDLE WAS REPLACED. THE REAR SHOCKS AND MOUNTS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS A POWER STEERING LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWER STEERING HOSE RES TO PUMP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLEX COUPLER ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10170795October 13, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
I PURCHASED MY CAR FROM ROSE IMPORTS IN VALLEJO, CA. ON 08-22-2006. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER, I STARTED TO HEAR A NOISE FROM THE REAR. I WOULD HEAR IT OCCASIONALLY. ON 10-10-2006, I WAS DRIVING HOME ON I-80 AND AS I WAS DRIVING, SUDDENLY I HEAR A LOUD "POP". I PULL OVER AND DID A VISUAL CHECK BUT FOUND NOTHING I COULD SEE SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND HEARD METAL SOUNDS COMING FROM THE BACK. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, I CONTINUED TO HEAR THE SOUND AND WHEN I RETURNED HOME, ME AND A FRIEND LIFTED THE CAR AND THAT'S WHEN I DISCOVERED THE SNAP OR BREAK IN THE DIFFERENTIAL SUPPORT BRACKET. IT HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR TOLD ME GOOD LUCK. THEY'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING SINCE IT PASSED THEIR SAFETY INSPECTION. I CALLED MY LOCAL BMW DEALER AND SPOKE TO THE SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOTHING THEY CAN OR WILL DO BECAUSE IT'S 86K MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A CAR I JUST PURCHASED AND HAVE A MAJOR BILL 2 MONTHS LATER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10163832July 28, 2006
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
THE SUBFRAME IS TEARING APART FROM THE FRAME ITSELF IN THE TRUNK. SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED AND SEPARATION IS OBVIOUS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151237February 26, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK, SEAT BELTS
2000 BMW Z3 ROADSTER. PROBLEMS WITH THE SEAT BELT RETAINERS, THESE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND CONTINUE TO BREAK. THIS IS POOR DESIGN WITH VERY LOW RELIABILITY. THIRD BREAK LIGHT ON THE TRUNK. THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE TRUNK TO THE TRUNK LID WAS COMPLETELY DRIED OUT AND SEVERAL WIRES BROKE INSIDE THE HARNESS CAUSING THE BRAKE LIGHT TO STOP FUNCTIONING. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149470February 5, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, EQUIPMENT
NIELLO BMW OF SACRAMENTO CHECKED MY Z3 2000 FOR TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT IS ON ADVISE, AND SOME FLUTTERING NOISE CAME OUT DURING ACCELERATION. THEY FOUND OUT THAT THERE'S METAL SHAVINGS IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. THEY REPAIRED IT AND REPLACED IT WITH NEW ONE AS WHAT THEY ADVISED TO ME, PLUS THEY REPLACED THR BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, SENSOR DRIVE BELTS, COVER AIR BAG AND THAT COST $3200.18 WHICH I PAID. I QUESTIONED THEM IF THAT'S STILL BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY SINCE I BOUGHT THAT CAR IN MAY 1999, AND THEY SAID," NO IT'S NOT UNDER WARRANTY." SO I PAID THE WHOLE AMOUNT OF $3200.18. SO I DROVE MY CAR AND IN A MATTER OF DAYS THE CAR BROKE AGAIN, STOPPING IN THE MIDDLE OF FREEWAY, AND THAT TIME I HEARD SOME FLUTTERING NOISE AGAIN UNDERNEATH, WHICH SCARED ME. SO I IMMEDIATELY CALLED SOME HELP AND TOOK MY CAR TO NIELLO BMW IN SACRAMENTO FOR REPAIR AND IT THEM A WEEK TO REPAIR MY CAR. AFTER IT WAS BEING REPAIRED I TRADED IT IN WITH LEXUS RX 330 IN ROSEVILLE SINCE I'M SCARED ALREADY DRIVING BMW AND DON'T TRUST THAT CAR AGAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to BMW Z3