1998 Bmw Z3 ROADSTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
72,800 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 19 complaints (31.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc) | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Structure:Body | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 6; Air Bags: 3; Power Train: 2; Seats: 2; Electronic Stability Control:Automatic (Asc): 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Structure:Body: 1; Suspension: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
2002: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2010: 4; 2011: 2; 2017: 2
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10336091 · 2010-06-13 (June 13, 2010)
THE AIRBAG FAULT LIGHT CAME ON IN OUR 1998 BMW Z3 (WITH LESS THAN 16,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER), INDICATING THE AIRBAG (OR AIRBAGS) AND SEAT BELT TENSIONERS WERE NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. THE DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID THIS WAS "A COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THIS MODEL AND TOLD US EXACTLY WHAT MOST LIKELY CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO ANY DIAGNOSTICS'THAT THERE WAS A FAULT IN THE SEATBELT LATCH AND WIRING THAT CAUSED 'HIGH RESISTANCE'. THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS $825. A GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THIS SAME PROBLEM IS ESSENTIALLY UBIQUITOUS. I SEARCHED …
Owner-reported narrative. 15,725 miles reported. Look up ODI 10336091 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10955460 · 2017-02-18 (February 18, 2017)
THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FILLS WITH WATER WHEN TO RAINS AND DOES NOT EMPTY. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSES RUST AND MOISTURE IN THE TRUNK.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10955460 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103979 · 2004-12-16 (December 16, 2004)
ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHEN REAR OF CAR SLID LEFT DURING TURN WHILE DRIVING AT 30-40 MPH. AUTOMATIC TRACTION CONTROL (ATC) DID NOT ENGAGE AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO, ALLOWING SLIDE TO CONTINUE. DRIVER PROPERLY CORRECTED STEERING. CAR OVERCORRECTED WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR SLIDING TO THE RIGHT. DRIVER PROPERLY CORRECTED AGAIN, BUT REAR OF CAR SLID AGAIN TO THE LEFT. DRIVER COULD NOT CORRECT IN TIME TO PREVENT SPIN, LEADING TO IMPACT WITH CONCRETE WALL. ATC IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO RESPOND TO THIS TYPE OF POSITION BUT DID NOT. DRIVER INJURED. CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120737 · 2005-05-12 (May 12, 2005)
THE SEAM ON THE GAS TANK OF MY BMW Z3 HAS A DEFECT. IT HAS ONLY 86,000 MILES ON IT, HAS NEVER BEEN IN A SALT OR CORROSIVE ENVIRONMENT, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED. IT HAS APPARENTLY BEEN LEAKING GAS FOR QUITE A WHILE. WITH THE LOW FLASHPOINT OF GAS AND THE PROPENSITY FOR INJURY IF THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT I AM OUTRAGED. I WANT TO PURSUE THIS TO THE FULLEST EXTENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120737 at NHTSA ↗