BMW Z3 Complaints (2000)

51 consumer complaints on file.

#11683639August 28, 2025
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2000 BMW Z3. The contact’s wife stated that while coming to a stop, the driver’s side front air bag inadvertently deployed with no warning light illuminated. The contact’s wife sustained a bruised arm; no medical attention was provided. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed, and the contact’s wife was able to drive the vehicle home.. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a leaky strut on the front left side, and the guibo driveshaft flat disk had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11553671November 5, 2023
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
Rear subframe suspension weld bolt crack from the body subframe, Can observe on the truck of the car the fracture weld bolds. Critical, because it hold on site the differential and rear drives components.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11383581December 15, 2020
ENGINE, SUSPENSION, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
THE SUBFRAME IS TEARING APART FROM THE FRAME ITSELF IN THE TRUNK. SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED AND SEPARATION IS OBVIOUS. ## VIN PASSED ## BMW 2000#VPIC# 4 - VIN CORRECTED, ERROR IN ONE POSITION ONLY (INDICATED BY ! IN SUGGESTED VIN), MULTIPLE MATCHES FOUND; 14 - UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THE VIN. #VPIC# ##
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#11383583December 15, 2020
ENGINE, SUSPENSION
I HEARD A CREAKING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR, I PUT IT ON JACKS TO CHECK IT OUT. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR PAN MAINLY AROUND THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT. THE CAR IS CLAIMED TO BE UNDRIVABLE BY BMW, BUT YET THEY WILL NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATTER. I SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF I DID NOT CHECK IT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CRACKS AND TEARS IN THE BODY METAL THAT EXIST COULD HAVE CONTINUED EVEN FURTHER AND LED TO AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. I WAS ESTIMATED AT A WHOPPING 5200 DOLLARS WHICH BMW SAID THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 3000 OF. I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, SO IT SHOULD BE PAID IN FULLY BY THE COMPANY, BUT THEY WILL NOT STAND UP THE THEIR FAULT. I HAVE AT THIS TIME NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT STATE, I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT WHO DOESNT HAVE THE LARGEST INCOME AROUND SO PICKING 2000 OR MORE DOLLARS OUT OF NOWHERE IS QUITE IMPOSSIBLE. AND I STILL HAVE TO GO TO WORK FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME I AM HOME, AND SO WITHOUT A LOANER FROM BMW OR THEM TAKING FULL BLAME AND PAYING IN FULL I AM FORCED TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR, FOR HOWEVER LONG. I HOPE THIS SITUATION CAN BE TAKEN CARE OF AS THERE ARE CASES OF SIMILAR SUBFRAME PROBLEMS POPPING UP ALL OVER FORUMS ONLINE. ENTHUSIASTS OF THE Z3 WILL RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE IF THEY TEDIOUSLY AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THEIR CARS, HOWEVER THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO JUST BUYS THEIR CAR AND DRIVES IT AROUND HAS ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA OF THE PROBLEM AT HAND AND THE POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT IT MAY LEAD UP TO IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11354641September 12, 2020
AIR BAGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BOTH AIRBAGS POPPED WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED AT 711. MY DASH AND WINDSHIELD CRACKED. THE CAR WAS NOT STARTED. I WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVER SEAT. HAD JUST PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11348677August 11, 2020
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG COMES ON ALL THE TIME . I THINK IT MIGHT HAVE TAKAT A AIR BAGS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11316436March 5, 2020
AIR BAGS
HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM COMPLAINT MADE IN DEC., REF. #11288210. FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING FRONT WINDOW TO SHATTER AND DASH IS DAMAGED. THE CAR WAS PARKED AND THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE PERSON SAT IN THE DRIVER SEAT AND IT EXPLODED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11288210December 10, 2019
AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BREAKING THE WINDSHIELD. THE KEY WASN'T EVEN IN THE IGNITION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11111226July 13, 2018
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED VERTEBRAE DAMAGE, A STERNUM CONTUSION, AND BREATHING ISSUES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD. IT WAS NOT DETERMINED IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11109874July 6, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN SHOP..... STATIONARY UP ON LIFT ...' DIFFERENTIAL BRACKET..... UNDERNEATH CAR..... THE WELD RIVETS SEPARATE...THE RIVETS GO ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE TRUNK UNDERNEATH.. .. HAS TOO BE TAKEN APART AND REINFORCED SOLID WELD NEEDED..... THERE ARE UTUBE VIDEOS ONLINE SHOWING THIS ISSUE.... I PUT MY CAR IN SHOP TOO GET IT CHECKED.... THANKS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11109875July 6, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
IN SHOP...' STATIONARY...'. DRAIN PLUGS UNDERNEATH THE CAR..... CONVERTIBLE ROOF MOTOR.... DRAIN PLUGS BECOME BLOCKED.... THE ROOF MOTOR FILLS UP WITH WATER AND THE MOTOR RUST IN ITS CASING..... UTUBE VIDEOS ONLINE SHOW THIS ISSUE..... THANKS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11102371June 18, 2018
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL. IN THE PROCESS, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS ENTERING THE SAME LANE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SWERVE INTO A MEDIAN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO EACH OTHER. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A RUPTURED LEFT BREAST, BACK BRUISES, AND NECK PAINS. MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED, INCLUDING AN MRI. THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED MONTHS AFTER THE CRASH TO DETERMINE IF THEY COULD INVESTIGATE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11018864August 22, 2017
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE SHOWS WARNING SIGN ALL TIMES
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10970992April 6, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
REAR SUBFRAME / TRUNK FLOOR / DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT FAILURE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10836261February 15, 2016
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED IN THE RETRACTED POSITION. AND ALSO LOCKS INTERMITTENTLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I RARELY HAVE PASSENGERS SO THIS IS THE FIRST TIME NOTICED THAT IT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT. IT HAPPENS WHILE STATIONARY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10544980September 23, 2013
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 BMW Z3 ROADSTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS, BRUISING, AND HAIR LOSS AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,754.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10468504July 31, 2012
STRUCTURE:BODY, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED CAR 6-4-12 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A SQUEAK AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK, AFTER REMOVING TRUNK LINING THE SPOT WELDS [4] WERE BROKE LOOSE IN TRUNK FLOOR FROM CROSS MEMBER WHERE REAR END IS SUPPORTED.. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT HOPING THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON CAR I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR CAR AT MY EXPENSE I ASKED IF THAT WAS AN ENGINEERED REPAIR OR JUST A TEMPORARY REPAIR THERE RESPONSE WAS ITS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD EVER HAPPENED.. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND IT WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME WELDS HAD COME LOOSE IN THE SUB FRAME AND IF NOT REPAIRED WOULD CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGE AND POSSIBLE CONTROL ISSUES. THIS CAR IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE NO RUST ISSUES AT ALL WAS ALWAYS GARAGED NEVER DRIVEN IN WINTER I BELIEVE THE SUBFRAME AND REAR AXLE MOUNTING IS UNDER DESIGNED FOR THIS CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10463048June 25, 2012
AIR BAGS
TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 101 IN AGOURA HILLS, CA A SMALL ROCK APPEARING IN MY LANE MADE A CLANKING SOUND WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10436004November 16, 2011
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
ON 24JUN2011, I SWERVED FROM A PARALLEL LANE TO AVOID BEING SIDESWIPED. NO CONTACT WAS MADE BETWEEN VEHICLES. HOWEVER, I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHILE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THEY TOLD ME THAT: THE FLANGE/BRACKET THAT HELD THE DIFFERENTIAL IN PLACE HAD A COMPLETE HAIR-LINE FRACTURE; AND, THAT A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE BODY ON TO THE FRAME HAD FAILED. I MADE CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP MCGRATH BMW, OCATED IN WESTMONT, IL AND TOLD THEM OF THE INCIDENT. THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOT UNDERTAKE BODY REPAIRS AND DIRECTED ME TO A FIRM WHICH DID ALL TYPES OF BODY AND STRUCTURAL REPAIRS AND WAS ACCREDITED BY BMW. I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR OF BETWEEN $5,000-$6,000, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROGRAM OFFERED BY BMW TO SHARE IN THE COST OF THE FLANGE/BRACKET AND BODY REPAIR. I WENT BACK TO MY LOCAL BODY SHOP AND TOLD THEM TO ESTIMATE THE COST AND I ALSO REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY AUTO INSURANCE (STATE FARM). AN ADJUSTER FROM STATE FARM REVIEWED THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE CONDITION WAS ONE OF A PROBLEM IN MANUFACTURE AND NOT COVERED BY MY AUTO INSURANCE. MY BODY SHOP THEN GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE OF A NOT TO EXCEED FIGURE OF APPROXIMATELY $2,500. I TOLD THEM TO UNDERTAKE THE REPAIR. THE FLANGE/BRACKET HAS BEEN REPLACED AND REINFORCED AND THE BODY AND FRAME HAVE SINCE BEEN REWELDED AT A TOTAL COST TO ME OF $1600. ADDITIONALLY, I SPENT AN ADDITIONAL $100 FOR A ALIGNMENT (FIRESTONE OF COUNTRYSIDE, IL) THE LOCAL BODY SHOP IS DOUGLAS AUTO BODY, 4015 EBERLY AVENUE, BROOKFIELD, IL (708) 485-7774 - THEY ARE A BODY AND STRUCTURAL REPAIR SHOP APPROVED BY STATE FARM INSURANCE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN USED BY ME AS A STREET VEHICLE AND NOT FOR RACING OR TRACK USE OF ANY KIND. THE FAILURES SEEM TO BE A MFG. DESIGN FLAW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10433570October 30, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
I HEARD A CREAKING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR, I PUT IT ON JACKS TO CHECK IT OUT. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR PAN MAINLY AROUND THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE., BUT YET BMW WILL NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATTER. I SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF I DID NOT CHECK IT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CRACKS AND TEARS IN THE BODY METAL THAT EXIST COULD HAVE CONTINUED EVEN FURTHER AND LED TO AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. I WAS ESTIMATED AT A WHOPPING 5200 DOLLARS WHICH BMW SAID THEY WOULD ONLY PAY 3000 OF. I BELIEVE IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, SO IT SHOULD BE PAID IN FULLY BY THE COMPANY, BUT THEY WILL NOT STAND UP THE THEIR FAULT. I HAVE AT THIS TIME NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN ITS CURRENT STATE, THERE ARE CASES OF SIMILAR SUBFRAME PROBLEMS POPPING UP ALL OVER FORUMS ONLINE. ENTHUSIASTS OF THE Z3 WILL RECOGNIZE THIS ISSUE IF THEY TEDIOUSLY AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THEIR CARS, HOWEVER THE AVERAGE PERSON WHO JUST BUYS THEIR CAR AND DRIVES IT AROUND HAS ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA OF THE PROBLEM AT HAND AND THE POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE THAT IT MAY LEAD UP TO IF NOT TAKEN CARE OF PROPERLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to BMW Z3