1999 BMW Z3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Z3 years
- More complaints than other years 2nd of 8 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 BMW Z3. That ranks 2nd out of 8 Z3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is structure (11 complaints, 28%), typically at around 87,975 miles. Complaints mention 2 injuries. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 39owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1999 BMW Z3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 11 | 28% | 87,975 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 10 | 26% | 84,975 | — | — |
| Power Train | 9 | 23% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 18% | 41,125 | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 15% | 89,659 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 2 | 5% | 87,950 | — | — |
| Seats | 2 | 5% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 5% | 53,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 3% | 88,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 3% | 87,950 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1999 BMW Z3 recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train:driveline:differential unit
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The rear axle differential may contain ring gear bolts that were incorrectly torqued during assembly. The bolt or bolts could loosen leading to noise from the differential.
Risk: The bolt or bolts could loosen leading to noise from the differential and if a bolt were to completely work loose from its mount, lockup of the rear axle could occur.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's differential and if involved, will replace it.
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The nut that secures the main positive cable to the positive battery terminal clamp was not tightened properly, allowing the cable to loosen over time. If this occurred, the cable could ultimately loosen to the point where electrical continuity could be interrupted.
Risk: If this occured while the engine was running, the engine could stop. Also, if the vehicle were being operated at night, the lighting system could shut off, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will tighten the nut to the proper specifications.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Hello, NHTSA released a recall warning for BMWs made from 2000 to 2006, regarding Takata airbags. "The risk to vehicle occupants is dire," it said. My 1999 BMW Z3 was made one year before this, and is not included in the recall. I have been trying to determine whether my '99 BMW has Takata airbags…
Air bag light stays lit
The passenger air bag light is on and stays on. Whether car is stationary or in motion.
Very well known failure, just search for "bmw z3 subframe failure". It is a design flaw by bmw that affects a lot of z3's through all model years. Mine started to pop one weld at 88k miles. It can cause the rear alignment to be off, in worst case the trunk floor is torn out and the differential…
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 bmw z3. After the vehicle was started and placed into reverse, a clanking sound emerged from the rear end without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign number: 99v272000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified…
Other BMW Z3 years
See all BMW Z3 problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1999 BMW Z3?
Owners most often report structure, air bags, power train problems. The top one, structure, accounts for 11 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1999 BMW Z3?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1999 BMW Z3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Z3 model years, the 1999 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.