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U.S. public vehicle records

1999 Bmw Z3 problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

39 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

88,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 25 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 39 complaints (15.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting37.7%
Braking behavior25.1%
Electrical and battery issues25.1%
Engine operation12.6%
Steering behavior12.6%

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.

Air Bags
6
Structure:Frame And Members
5
Power Train
4
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
4
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
3
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
3
Structure:Body
3
Suspension:Rear
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags6
Structure:Frame And Members5
Power Train4
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit4
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module3
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor3
Structure:Body3
Suspension:Rear3

Air Bags: 6; Structure:Frame And Members: 5; Power Train: 4; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 4; Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 3; Structure:Body: 3; Suspension:Rear: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
3
75,000 to 99,999
7
100,000 to 149,999
10
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9993
75,000 to 99,9997
100,000 to 149,99910
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 1

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 14 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.

2000
3
2001
2
2002
1
2003
6
2004
5
2005
3
2006
2
2007
2
2010
2
2011
3
2012
1
2013
1
2014
2
2015
1
2016
1
2017
1
2019
2
2024
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20003
20012
20021
20036
20045
20053
20062
20072
20102
20113
20121
20131
20142
20151
20161
20171
20192
20241

2000: 3; 2001: 2; 2002: 1; 2003: 6; 2004: 5; 2005: 3; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 2; 2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2019: 2; 2024: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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 10133930 · 2005-08-23 (August 23, 2005)

THE WELDS CONNECTING THE SUBFRAME TO THE FLOOR ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE REAR OF THE CAR HAVE BEGUN TO FAIL. THIS WAS FOUND AFTER THE AREA BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES WHEN SHIFTING THE CAR OR GOING OVER BUMPS.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10133930 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10340816 · 2010-06-30 (June 30, 2010)

1999 BMW Z M ROADSTER REAR GEARBOX(DIFF) TEARING FROM CAR. ALL WELDS ARE BROKEN AND SUPPORT IS TORN IN HALF IN PLACES AND CRACKED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 91,318 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340816 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10026595 · 2003-07-03 (July 3, 2003)

THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE CONVERTIBLE TOP DID NOT CLOSE. *PH *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026595 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10622505 · 2014-08-15 (August 15, 2014)

DRIVER SEAT BECAME LOOSE AND WOULD SLIDE FORWARD WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND BACKWARD ON ACCELERATION. THE MOVEMENT WAS ABRUPT ENOUGH TO BE DISCONCERTING, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY MANEUVER. BMW DEALERSHIP ADVISED IT WAS EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND NOT DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SEAT WAS NOT AT RISK OF FULLY DETACHING. I HAVE LIVED WITH IT, BUT IT IS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS AND IT FEELS UNSAFE - AS IF THE SEAT MIGHT COME LOOSE. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING TO ANY DRIVER WHO IS NOT ACCUSTOMED TO IT AND EVEN TO ME - A LIKELY CAUSE OF DRIVER ERROR O…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10622505 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10310014 · 2010-02-12 (February 12, 2010)

AIR BAG LIGHT ON. SHOP MECHANIC STATED "RETRIEVED DTC CODE FOR DRIVERS SEAT BELT SWITCH OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT. CLEANED CONNECTORS, CLEARED DTC INFO OPERATIONAL CHECK OK. IF FAULT RECURS, RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF DRIVERS SEAT BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY." PROBLEM FIXED JUNE 18, 2008. NOW PROBLEM WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ON IS BACK. THERE SEEM TO BE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG SENSORS AND SEAT BELT LATCHES ON VARIOUS BSM VEHICLES ACCORDING TO INTERNET SEARCHES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10310014 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 745903 · 2001-05-25 (May 25, 2001)

THE BATTERY HOLD-DOWN CLAMPS WERE NEVER INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 745903 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10040838 · 2003-09-28 (September 28, 2003)

SEATBELTS LOCK TIGHT, PINNING ME DOWN OR DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. BOLT ON DRIVER'S SEAT WAS REPLACED BUT THE SEAT STILL MOVES. CONVERTIBLE TOP IS MISALIGNED CAUSING LEAKS, GAPS COULD BE SEEN 1 WEEK AFTER PURCHASE AND THEY ARE GROWING. DEALER ARGUES NO WARRANTY COVERAGE. CAR HESITATES BUT HASN'T STALLED YET.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040838 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10171793 · 2006-10-25 (October 25, 2006)

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 REPLAC…

Owner-reported narrative. 87,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171793 at NHTSA ↗