1997 BMW Z3: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 47 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is seats (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owned a 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was a multi-car rear-end accident involving two other vehicles after she fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that no other passengers were in her vehicle; however, only the driver's side air bag had failed to deploy. The contact required hospitalization and was in a coma. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and later auctioned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the VIN was not included in an air bag recall. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
“The seat tracks of both the driver and passenger side of the vehicle allowed the seats to move at least 10mm forward and rearward under braking and acceleration. This movement causes a partial loss of control of the vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2012
“Upon starting the car the air bag light came on and stayed on. This is the third time this has happened. The first two time it cost approximately $350 to repair. For this to happen a third time is indicative of a design fault.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2011
Show 7 more owner reports
“My 1997 bmw z3 had the airbag light come on 2 years ago. The technician said it was caused by the seatbelt tensioner. He replaced it and all was fine. It's back on again. If this is as common to these models as I've heard why hasn't bmw had a recall to fix the problem. This is getting expensive. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2010
“Passenger got into front seat and adjusted it down and back with the power seat controls. Airbag light illuminated and has been on ever since. I checked for broken or damaged wiring but found nothing obvious. Bmw is recalling many of their new cars, but it seems their old ones exhibit the same failures. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2008
“Seat rails do not lock properly thereby allowing seat(s) to slide forward during braking. Can potentially lead to loss of control of vehicle. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2008
“The consumer was driving 65 mph on I-95 when all of a sudden he lost control of the vehicle. The traction control feature on the vehicle failed to work. The consumer hit a guard rail and the air bags did not deploy. The consumer was injured. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2004
“While applying brakes steering jerks side to side. As a result, vehicle crosses over to different lanes without warning. The dealer states that is a normal procedure of the vehicle. *ak”Owner report · Steering · Jan 2004
“Repeated problems with the car's airbag. The airbag light comes on and stays on. I had this problem before and I paid bmw to fix it. They told me that it was something with the seatbelt. The light has come on again.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2003
“The passenger side seat belt locks up more often than normal and at un-needed times. This causes pain to the user with the end result being that the user tends to remove the seat belt, or is forced to sit there in pain with the seat belt on and locked up. *nlm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Apr 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Z3 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 BMW Z3 reliable?
NHTSA has 47 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 BMW Z3. The most complained-about area is seats (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 BMW Z3 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 BMW Z3 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.