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NHTSA Vehicle Research

1998 BMW Z3 Research

Free safety data straight from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recalls, consumer complaints, and crash test ratings — everything you need before you buy.

1 Recalls
33 Complaints
N/A Safety Rating
FREE Gov Data

🛡️ NCAP Crash Test Safety Ratings

No NCAP safety rating data available from NHTSA for this vehicle. Ratings are typically available for passenger cars and light trucks.

⚠️ NHTSA Recalls (1)

The following safety recalls have been issued by NHTSA for the BMW Z3. If you own this vehicle, check your VIN at our VIN lookup tool or NHTSA.gov to see if your vehicle is affected.

1998 Model Year (1 recall)

Campaign #06E026000 23/03/2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

💬 Consumer Complaints (33)

Real complaints filed with NHTSA by BMW Z3 owners. These reports help identify common issues and potential safety concerns.

Most Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
SEATS 8
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 3
EQUIPMENT 3
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN 2
AIR BAGS 2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2
SEAT BELTS 2
VISIBILITY 2
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE 1
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS 1
1998 model • SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN • 02/01/2022

The BMW E36 Z3 1996-2002 (I have the 1998 1.9) are prone to having a separation of the Rear subframe from the differential causing the drivetrain to hang off the vehicle and/or rip out of the trunk's weak aluminum sheet subframe. BMW Germany has acknowledged the problem for a few individuals over the past decade and a half and kept…

1998 model • SEATS • 09/05/2005

SEATS MOVE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES OR DECELERATES, ITS A KNOWN ISSUE OF DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD NOT FALL ON THE CONSUMER FOR REPAIR

1998 model • SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE • 11/30/2018

I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

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