1996 BMW Z3
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1996 BMW Z3. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1996 BMW Z3. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
30 complaints4 involved a crash1 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seats
Driver seat sliding back and forth while driving in motion
- Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
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.
- Air bags · Fuel/propulsion system · Seats
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
- Air bags · Seat belts
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…
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
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…
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
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
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.…
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
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
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
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
Passenger seat belt locks up while car IS in motion and will not release. *Ak
- Power train
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)
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
- Power train › Manual transmission
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
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
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
Fuel gauge will not give the correct level of fuel. Contacted dealer. *Ak
- Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
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
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
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
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
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
- Air bags › Frontal
Had a head-on collision and air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained some injuries. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers · Electrical system › Wiring › Interior/under dash
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
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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10037702BMW: when at lower speeds or stopping the engine idle dips too low because of a software problem.
- 6089811Rough idle
- 606353Information regarding voluntary emission recall campaign no. 99E-a01.
- 600874Information on evaporative emission control and fuel filler cap / filler door labels.
- 53343The data set of the engine control module (dme) needs to be updated.
- 52259M44 misfire faults 50, 51, 52 or 53.
- 52216Fuel tank flourination.
- 52211Seat backrest paddding wearing.
- 50678Child airbag letter, warning label and safety reference card.
- 50672Creaks or rattles from a-pillar area.
- 50669Dimming function of headlight switch inoperative.
- 50632M44 misfire faults 50, 51, 52 or 53.
Every BMW Z3 model year
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