1996 BMW Z3
2 recalls, 34 complaints - 12 TSBs
06E026000 Mar 23, 2006
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Defect Description
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 D... Read more
Consequence
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy
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.
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEP... Read more
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Complaint Statistics
34 total complaints
4 crashes 1 fires 2 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 3 |
| SEATS | 3 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 1 |
SEATS
May 28, 2018
Incident date: May 5, 2018
DRIVER SEAT SLIDING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Apr 25, 2017
Incident date: Apr 25, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT HEATER BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND ALSO BURNED A HOLE IN HER JEANS. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS... Read more
Fire
AIR BAGS
Oct 25, 2014
Incident date: Apr 5, 2012
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARDS DURING ACCELERATION AND BREAKING AT ANY SPEED, GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY ON FULL TANK OR FLUXES ON DASH AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 3-5 MIN. AT A TIME WHEN STARTING UP IGNITION. *TR
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Oct 25, 2014
Incident date: Apr 5, 2012
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARDS DURING ACCELERATION AND BREAKING AT ANY SPEED, GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY ON FULL TANK OR FLUXES ON DASH AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 3-5 MIN. AT A TIME WHEN STARTING UP IGNITION. *TR
SEATS
Oct 25, 2014
Incident date: Apr 5, 2012
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS MOVE FORWARD/BACKWARDS DURING ACCELERATION AND BREAKING AT ANY SPEED, GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY ON FULL TANK OR FLUXES ON DASH AND AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON FOR 3-5 MIN. AT A TIME WHEN STARTING UP IGNITION. *TR
SEAT BELTS
Jul 15, 2013
Incident date: May 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE UNLATCHED WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD DEPRESS OR ADD ANY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATE... Read more
AIR BAGS
Jul 15, 2013
Incident date: May 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT COULD NOT BE UNLATCHED WHEN THE DRIVER WOULD DEPRESS OR ADD ANY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATE... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
Aug 29, 2011
Incident date: Jan 1, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN EXHAUST FUMES AND A RATTLING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE CATALIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT EROSION IN THE MONOLITH BECAME LOOSE IN THE HOUSING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUM... Read more
SEATS
Oct 1, 2008
Incident date: Sep 23, 2008
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
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Sep 19, 2005
Incident date: May 23, 2001
DT: 1996 BMW Z3. THE CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS AN INCORRECTLY MACHINED GUIDE SLEEVE IN THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO JUMP OUT OF GEAR WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT HE HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT THE PROBLEM. ... Read more
AIR BAGS
Mar 12, 2004
Incident date: Feb 22, 2004
SRS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ADJUSTING THE SEAT. BMW HAS ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS RE SRS PROBLEMS, SO CLEARLY THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. YET BMW REFUSES TO ISSUE A RECALL TO PROPERLY RETROFIT THE WIRING HARNESS.*AK
AIR BAGS
Mar 7, 2004
Incident date: Feb 22, 2004
SRS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER ADJUSTING THE SEAT. ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM NUMEROUS Z3 OWNERS, THIS A COMMON PROBLEM. BMW HAS ISSUED SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. AS SRS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH, BMW SHOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM BY PROPERLY REDESIGNING THE DEFE... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Oct 20, 2003
Incident date: Oct 1, 2003
THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON, BEEN REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND HAS COME ON AGAIN. MANUFACTURER STATES THAT AIRBAGS WILL NOT OPERATE PROPERLY WITHOUT REPAIR. *LA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Jul 6, 2003
Incident date: Jun 17, 2003
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS UP WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WILL NOT RELEASE. *AK
POWER TRAIN
Mar 28, 2003
Incident date: Mar 1, 2001
THE SHIFTER POPPED OUT OF FIRST GEAR AND DROPPED INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. *JB
STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
Jan 23, 2003
WHILE IN 1ST GEAR AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND POPPED OUT OF GEAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ACCELERATION CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Crash
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Jan 15, 2003
Incident date: Nov 1, 2002
MANUAL TRANSMISSION...VIOLENTLY POPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR TO NEUTRAL POSITION UPON ACCELERATING FROM STOP..DANGEROUS, AS CAR BEHIND EXPECTS CONTINUED FORWARD MOTION, BUT MUST INSTEAD, AWAIT ANOTHER SHIFT INTO FIRST AND POSSIBLE REPEAT OF POPPING OUT OF GEAR. HAPPENS OFTEN. SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE TO REPA... Read more
AIR BAGS
Oct 1, 2002
Incident date: Apr 2, 2001
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIR BAG SENOR LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY, WHICH MAY RESULT IN PERMATURE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT,OR NONE DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAG IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER,THEY STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS THE CAUSE. HAD IT REPLACE, PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. NLM
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
Jul 31, 2002
Incident date: Jul 27, 2002
FIRESTONE TIRE FIREHAWKSZ50 AT 72182 MILES SHOWED TREAD SEPARATION FORM THE SIDE THE SAME AS FIREHAWK TIRES GTA-02. NO ACCIDENT OR INCISENT OCCURED DURING TREAD SEPARATION.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Apr 30, 2002
Incident date: Apr 1, 2002
FUEL GAUGE WILL NOT GIVE THE CORRECT LEVEL OF FUEL. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
Jan 4, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH REAR DIFFERENTIAL UNIT LOCKED UP, CAUSING RIGHT/ REAR TIRE TO STOP SPINNING. DEALERSHIP IS EXAMINING VEHICLE AND MAKING ALL NECESSARY REPAIRS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / DOCUMENTATION. *AK
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Nov 20, 2001
DEALER REPRESENTATIVE SAID THIS A COMMON PROBLEM & REQUIRES REPLACEMENT. WHEN BRAKING, THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD ON THE RAILS 1 TO 2 INCHES. I AM CONCERNED THAT IN A SERIOUS FRONT END COLLISION THE SEAT MAY PROPEL THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER FORWARD AND WITH A LOCKED BELT CAUSE PERSONAL INJURIES TO T... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Jul 12, 2001
Incident date: Jul 1, 2001
THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY TO NUMEROUS BMW OWNERS AND THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS IN THE SEATBELT TENSIONERS. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Apr 11, 2000
FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKS- SOMETIMES UNUSABLE -RATCHETT ASSEMBLY- DEALER REPLACED 3 X - STILL NOT WORKING -DEALER &BMW MANUF CLAIM NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT????? OTHER OWNERS HAVE SAME COMPLAINT. *AK
AIR BAGS
Nov 19, 1999
Incident date: Nov 8, 1999
THE BMW Z3 HIT ANOTHER CAR DIRECTLY IN THE SIDE ; THIS WAS A FRONTAL COLLISION BY THE BMW. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING HER SAFETY BELT, BUT HE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Mar 15, 1999
Incident date: Dec 29, 1998
HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED SOME INJURIES. *AK
Crash
1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
Apr 16, 1998
ELECTRICAL TYPE SMOKE IS SEEN UNDERNEATH STEERING COLUMN. DEALER NOTED PROBLEM WAS A FUSE. PROBLEM HAS NOT STOPPED. DEALER THEN NOTED A FAULTY INSTRUMENT PANEL. PROBLEM REMAINS. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Apr 16, 1998
ELECTRICAL TYPE SMOKE IS SEEN UNDERNEATH STEERING COLUMN. DEALER NOTED PROBLEM WAS A FUSE. PROBLEM HAS NOT STOPPED. DEALER THEN NOTED A FAULTY INSTRUMENT PANEL. PROBLEM REMAINS. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Oct 21, 1997
Incident date: Jun 11, 1996
VEHICLE IN MOTION, PASSENGER 'S SEAT BELT WOULD LOCK UP. WOULD RETRACT, BUT NOT RELEASE. WORKED ON IT FOR 5-10 MINUTES BEFORE MOVING. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED MECHANISM NEEDED REPLACING. SEAT BELT RELEASING OR RETRACTING STILL EXISTS. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Sep 12, 1997
FUEL GAUGE FAILED.
SUSPENSION:REAR
Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO HANDLE BECAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSION IS LOOSE WHEN TURNING OR GOING OVER BUMPS AT 50 MPH.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS
Apr 24, 1997
Incident date: Dec 4, 1996
FOG LIGHT INOPERATIVE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Dec 6, 1996
Incident date: Oct 1, 1996
VALVE SEATS NOT ROUND, RESULTING IN PISTON RINGS NOT SEATING. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Aug 28, 1996
Incident date: Aug 10, 1996
CONSUMER REARENDED SOMONE AND BOTH AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Crash
Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 BMW Z3
12 manufacturer communications from 11 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| 116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 2 |
| 121200 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH | 1 |
| 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| 355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 1 |
| 220000 SEATS | 1 |
| 071100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| 070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
SI B12 12 10
Jun 1, 2010
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BMW: WHEN AT LOWER SPEEDS OR STOPPING THE ENGINE IDLE DIPS TOO LOW BECAUSE OF A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. *RM
121099
May 1, 1999
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INFORMATION REGARDING VOLUNTARY EMISSION RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 99E-A01. *TT
16 01 98
Mar 1, 1998
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC
12 15 96
Nov 1, 1997
185000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ROUGH IDLE
12 09 97
Jul 1, 1997
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
THE DATA SET OF THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (DME) NEEDS TO BE UPDATED. *AK
52 01 97
Feb 1, 1997
220000 SEATS
SEAT BACKREST PADDDING WEARING. *TW
16 01 97
Feb 1, 1997
071100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK FLOURINATION. *TW
12 15 96
Feb 1, 1997
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
M44 MISFIRE FAULTS 50, 51, 52 OR 53. *TW
12/15/96
Dec 1, 1996
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
M44 MISFIRE FAULTS 50, 51, 52 OR 53. *TW
72/07/96
Dec 1, 1996
355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW
61/18/96
Nov 1, 1996
121200 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH
DIMMING FUNCTION OF HEADLIGHT SWITCH INOPERATIVE. *TW
41/02/96
Nov 1, 1996
161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
CREAKS OR RATTLES FROM A-PILLAR AREA. *TW
BMW Z3 - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW Z3 across all model years (1996, 2004).
13
Total Recalls
300
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
16
Reported Crashes
10
Reported Fires
3
Reported Deaths