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1998 BMW Z3

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 BMW Z3 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 30.

About this comparison →
30Owner complaints

Model-year median: 30

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
30
199647
199730
199839
199934
200019
2001
Compare all Z3 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Seats
8Electrical System
6Power Train
4Suspension
4Air Bags
3
All reported categories
Equipment
3Seat Belts
3Engine And Engine Cooling
2Exterior Lighting
2Structure
2Visibility
2Fuel System, Gasoline
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Steering
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 9 of 30 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Seats. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

Structure complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
139,000 miles · Jan 9, 2019
Power TrainStructureSuspension

I HAVE A 1998 Z3 M ROADSTER AND THE TRUNK WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME IS FAILING. THIS IS A COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ISSUES. BMW DEALERS ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE BUT BMW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT FIX IT. THIS IS A WELDING/MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT CAN LEAD TO THE DIFFERENTIAL AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS IN THE REAR TO COMPLETELY SEPARATE.

NHTSA ODI #11165993

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

BMW Z3 IS A PIECE OF CRAP. DEALER NOW THINKS THAT THERE IS UNDERLYING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE. 3 CD PLAYERS, 2 IGNITION SYSTEMS, 1 FUEL SENSOR, 1 ENGINE THAT WOULDN'T START DUE TO SOMETHING STUCK OPEN AND JUST GENERAL POOR QUALITY. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS VEHICLE FOR ANYONE.

NHTSA ODI #714824

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.