1996 BMW Z3

2 recalls — 34 complaints

06E026000 Mar 23, 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.
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.
61,944 vehicles affected
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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 SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
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.
410,000 vehicles affected
SEATS May 28, 2018
DRIVER SEAT SLIDING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER Apr 25, 2017
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 MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Fire
AIR BAGS Oct 25, 2014
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
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
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
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 STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
AIR BAGS Jul 15, 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 STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR Aug 29, 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 INSTRUMENT PANEL AT ANY TIME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF UPDATED 10/07/11
SEATS Oct 1, 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
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. THE MANUFACTURER STATES THERE IS NO RECALL. THE PROBLEM STARTED ON MAY 23, 2001. THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT, AND OCCURS ONLY IN FIRST GEAR. *AK
AIR BAGS Mar 12, 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
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 DEFECTIVE PART(S). *JB
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE Oct 20, 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
PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS UP WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WILL NOT RELEASE. *AK
POWER TRAIN Mar 28, 2003
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
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 REPAIR. SHOULD DEALER PAY FOR ALL?
AIR BAGS Oct 1, 2002
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
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
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 THE OCCUPANTS. DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE PART AT THEIR EXPENSE.*AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR Jul 12, 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
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
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
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
FOG LIGHT INOPERATIVE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Dec 6, 1996
VALVE SEATS NOT ROUND, RESULTING IN PISTON RINGS NOT SEATING. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 28, 1996
CONSUMER REARENDED SOMONE AND BOTH AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK
Crash