1998 Bmw M ROADSTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
75,775 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data updated: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Structure:Frame And Members is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 19 complaints (57.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 11 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Structure:Frame And Members: 11; Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Power Train: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
2004: 4; 2005: 6; 2006: 3; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Structure:Frame And Members leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
19 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 1157.9%ODI 10055446 · 45,000 miCROSS MEMBER OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE. *AK | 738.9%ODI 10133599 · 74,000 miAFTER OTHERS TOLD ME OF THE DEFECTS IN THEIR Z3 CARS, I DECIDED TO CHECK MY OWN CAR. AFTER REMOVING THE CARPET IN THE TRUNK AND IT REVEALED MULTIPLE BROKEN SPOTWELDS OF THE CROSSMEMBER THAT SUPPORTS THE DIFFERENTIAL AND CONNECTS TO THE TRUNK FLOOR PAN. ALSO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FLOOR PAN IS PULLING LOOSE FROM THE BODY AND EXTENDS ALONG THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF THE FLOOR PAN. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUNK HAS RECESSED BY ABOUT A HALF INCH. THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT THAT CONNECTS THE CROSSMEMBER TO THE DIFFERETIAL HAS A CRACK IN IT. | 1052.6%ODI 10124033 · 56,171 miIN SEPT. 2003, I PURCHASED A USED CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED 2000 BMW M ROADSTER FROM AN AUTHORIZED BMW DEALER. IN LATE 2003, I NOTICED NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE CAR WHICH THE DEALER ATTRIBUTED TO A LOOSE GAS TANK HOLDER, WHICH THEY REPLACED. SOON AFTER, THE NOISE RETURNED. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK 2 MORE TIMES AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. AFTER REASEARCHING ONLINE, I FOUND OTHER BMW OWNERS HAVE DISCOVERED THE SUBFRAMES OF THEIR CARS WERE COMING UNWELDED FROM THE BODY. AFTER HAVING MY CAR INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE, WE DI… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10141099 · 18,000 mi2002 BMW M ROADSTER TRUNK CROSSMEMBER (SUPPORTS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL) SEPARATING FROM THE REST OF THE CAR. SPOT WELDS PULLED OUT. DANGER OF THE WHOLE CROSSMEMBER SEPARATING FROM THE CHASSIS. CORRECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT IN TOLEDO, OH. CROSSMEMBER REINFORCED BY AN INTERNAL I-BEAM, WELDED TO NEW CUSTOM-FABRICATED SUPPORTS ON THE LONGITUDINAL RAILS. THE OEM CROSSMEMBER IS NOW MERELY COSMETIC. DIFFERENTIAL COVER REPLACED BY ONE WITH A PAIR OF MOUNTS INSTEAD OF JUST ONE TO DISTRIBUTE LOAD. VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 25,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. J… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 210.5%ODI 10165581 · 75,000 mi1) DRIVING, SUB-FRAME WELD SEPARATION (SEAM AND SPOT WELDS) AND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT CRACK. 3) ONE FAILED ATTEMPT AT RE-WELD BY BODY SHOP. *JB | 316.7%ODI 10168630 · 75,000 miFOUR MONTHS AGO I PURCHASED A STOCK EXCELLENT CONDITION 99 M ROADSTER (MY 4TH BMW IN 5 YEARS). 75000 MILES, NO TRACK TIME, NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE DRIVELINE. NORMAL DRIVING HAS CAUSED THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS TO FAIL - THE MOUNT IS RIVETS TO THE TRUNK BED AND THE RIVETS ARE POPPING OUT. IF I LAY ANY SIGNIFICANT POWER THROUGH THE DRIVELINE THE DIFFERENTIAL WILL TORQUE RIGHT OFF. MY DIFFERENTIAL IS FALLING OFF DUE TO NOTHING MORE THAN ILL-DESIGN. I WILL HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO REBUILD AND SUPPORT THIS AREA BECAUSE THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND IT'S NO… | 210.5%ODI 10082371 · 31,000 miDIFFERENTIAL MOUNT ON '00 BMW M ROADSTER CRACKED AT APPROXIMATELY. 31000 MILES. *LA | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 240.0%ODI 10133487 · 45,000 miTHE REAR-SUBFRAME IS SEPARATING FROM THE TRUNK IN MY CAR. AS A RESULT, THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAS CRACKED AND THERE IS THE RISK OF THE DIFFERENTIAL TOTALLY SEPARATING FROM THE CAR. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Body | 210.5%ODI 10062316 · 44,000 miIN REGARD TO ALL MODEL YEAR Z3 BMW AUTOMOBILES. LATELY, INCLUDING WITH MY CAR, BMW Z3'S AS WELL AS ///M ROADSTERS AND COUPES (LIKE MY CAR), HAVE BEGUN EXPERIENCING HORRIFIC FAILURE IN THE REAR END DUE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CRACKING AWAY FROM THE CHASSIS. COUNTLESS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING LARGE CRACKS IN THEIR FRAME NEAR THE DIFFERENTIAL, CAUSE THE CAR TO BECOME LOOSE AND RESULT IN A POTENTIAL CRASH. MANY OWNERS HAVE EVEN SEEN THEIR ENTIRE TRUNK FLOORBOARDS BEGIN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CAR DUE TO WEAK WELDING. BMW HAS FOR THE MOST PART BE… | 15.6%ODI 10257030 · 60,000 miDIFFERENTIAL SUBFRAME CAUSES WELD FAILURES APPEARING IN TRUNK AND OTHER BODY LOCATIONS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECT THAT GENERATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THIS DEFECT IS BEING REPORTED BY AN INCREASING NUMBER OF Z3 OWNERS OVER TIME. *TR | 421.1%ODI 10130164 · 38,500 miI HAVE A 2000 BMW MZ3 ROADSTER. IN APRIL I NOTICED THAT THE SPOT WELDS IN THE TRUNK AREA HAD STARTED TO PULL APART AND RUSTED. I SEARCH THE WEB AND FOUND THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THESE CARS. BMW IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, HOWEVER, THEY REFUSE TO ADDRESS IT. SOME OWNERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET BMW TO REPLACE THE TRUNK, HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT FIX THE ISSUE. ONCE THE TRUNK IS REPLACE, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SOMEWHERE DOWN THE ROAD. BECAUSE BMW IS NOT ADDRESSING THE ISSUE BUT JUST COVERING IT UP I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A POSSIBLE FIX BY A… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10484839 · 67,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW M ROADSTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A SQUEAKY NOISE WAS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SUB FRAME EXHIBITED SEVERAL CRACKS AND WAS SLIGHTLY SEPARATED. THE DEFECT BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Suspension | 15.3%ODI 10385548 · 90,000 miI DID A QUICK SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE AND HAVE FOUND APPROX. 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAFETY ISSUE. I'M QUITE SURPRISED THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT SANCTIONED BMW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND BEING ADVISED TO CHECK FOR IT, I FOUND THAT THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT TO THE SUB-FRAME HAD TORN LOOSE, AND THE SUB-FRAME AND MOUNT WERE BOTH BEGINNING TO TEAR. HAD I NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM IN TIME, THE DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE CAR (AS… | 422.2%ODI 10417535CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IT NOW HAS A BROKEN SUBFRAME. IT BEGAN AS A THUMPING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. I THOUGHT MAYBE IT NEEDED STRUTS. AFTER LOOKING CLOSER I SAW A TEAR IN THE FRAME. I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP FIRST AND THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. SO I CONTACTED BMW AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A LOCAL DEALER. AFTER THEY INSPECTED IT THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD TAKE $10,000 PLUS TO FIX IT. THE REAR END IS BASICALLY SITTING ON THE EXHAUST WHICH IS THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT TO THE CAR. SEVERAL SPOT WELD HAVE FAILED THIS IS COMMON AMONG AL… | 15.3%ODI 10003885 · 40,125 miTHE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: FIRE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS, DUE TO DESIGN FLAW/ OR MISROUTING OF WIRES DUE TO SERVICE DEALER (BMW)-WHILE DRIVING, ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR (TIRES COMPLETELY BALD ON INSIDE @ 150K MILES) DUE TO ALIGNMENT, RIGHT REAR TRAILING ARM BENT, NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS-(BLOWN FUSE/INOPERATIVE GAUGES/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/HEAD LAMP CIRCUIT BURNED/ & AIR FLOW METER CIRCUIT), POWER WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS,, RADIO MALFUNCTION, SENDING UNIT, CLOCK-INTERMITTENT, HEATING/AC-MISSING INSULATION/CAUSED SHORT/CONTROL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags | 15.3%ODI 10144279CONSUMER REQUEST THAT THE AIR BAG IN THE PASSENGER SIDE IN HIS 1998 BMW M ROADSTER BE DISCONNECTED FOR THE SAFETY OF HIS YOUNG CHILDREN. *TS *NM *** TRANSFER TO TIS*** | 15.6%ODI 10062088 · 37,800 miSRS LIGHT, AIRBAG SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT JUST TURNED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON. *AK | 15.3%ODI 10061976 · 25,000 miTHE AIRBAG (SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM) LIGHT ON MY CAR'S DASH INSTRUMENT PANEL KEEPS COMING ON. INFORMATION ON THE Z-3 ROADSTER INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD (HTTP://BIMMER.ROADFLY.ORG/BMW/FORUMS/Z3/) INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON FAULT ON THE BMW Z-3/M ROADSTER MODELS, DUE TO FAULTY ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS UNDER THE SEAT OR FAULTY SENSORS IN THE SEAT BELT LATCHES. SINCE THIS COMMON FAULT AFFECTS THE SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM, BMW SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 210.5%ODI 10133480 · 28,470 miREAR SUBFRAME WELD FAILURE ALLOWING THE DIFFERENTIAL TO DROP TO THE POINT THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT IN ARE THE HALFSHAFTS RESTING ON THE FRAME RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE | 15.6%ODI 10451824 · 67,000 miWHILE DRIVING THE CAR, THE REAR END FAIL AND BEGAN TO DRAG. AFTER GETTING THE CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP, IT WAS NOTED THE REAR END SUBFRAME WELDS CAME LOSE. AFTER CONTACTING THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEY TOTALED THE CAR OUT. I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK AND MADE REPAIRS TO THE CAR THAT COST ME $4000.00. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train | 15.3%ODI 10385548 · 90,000 miI DID A QUICK SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE AND HAVE FOUND APPROX. 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAFETY ISSUE. I'M QUITE SURPRISED THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT SANCTIONED BMW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND BEING ADVISED TO CHECK FOR IT, I FOUND THAT THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT TO THE SUB-FRAME HAD TORN LOOSE, AND THE SUB-FRAME AND MOUNT WERE BOTH BEGINNING TO TEAR. HAD I NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM IN TIME, THE DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE CAR (AS… | 15.6%ODI 10744495 · 145,000 miTOOK VEHICLE IN FOR ENGINE MAINTENANCE AND ASKED THEM TO ADDRESS SQUEAKS AND RATTLES. ON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR CROSSMEMBER HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE UNIBODY AND THE MOUNT HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL IN HAD ONLY 1/4 IN OF 4 INCHES HOLDING THE AFT END OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. COMPLETE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A CATASTROPHIC CHAIN OF EVENTS CAUSING A CRASH AND POSSIBLE FATALITIES. LOOKING ON LINE I FOUND NUMEROUS FAILURES OF THE SAME KIND RESULTING FROM METAL FATIGUE BROUGHT ON BY FAULTY DESIGN. AT LEAST THIS WAS THE OPINI… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Power Train:Driveline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 15.6%ODI 10257030 · 60,000 miDIFFERENTIAL SUBFRAME CAUSES WELD FAILURES APPEARING IN TRUNK AND OTHER BODY LOCATIONS. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS CAUSED BY A DEFECT THAT GENERATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THIS DEFECT IS BEING REPORTED BY AN INCREASING NUMBER OF Z3 OWNERS OVER TIME. *TR | 15.3%ODI 10257963 · 95,000 miMY ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE IS SPLITTING FROM THE SEEMS!!! I HAVE A 2000 BMW M ROADSTER (Z3) AND RECENTLY I NOTICE A CREAKING IN THE REAR. THEN ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK I HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A TEAR. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SHEET METAL UNI-BODY CONSTRUCTION. THE CARS DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS PRACTICALLY DRAGGING ON THE GROUND. THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT TO THE CAR WERE THE SHOCKS AND SPRINGS. THE TRUCK FLOOR THAT THE MOUNT WAS SPOT WELDED TO HAS SEPARATED FROM THE CAR. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FL… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | 55,000–114,640 mi | 75,000 mi | 9 | ODI 10055446 · 45,000 miCROSS MEMBER OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BROKE. *AK ODI 10091290 · 55,000 miTHE CHASSIS IS DEFECTIVE. THERE ARE CRACKS, PULLED SPOTWELDS AND SEPARATION (DELAMINATION) OF UNIBODY IN THE TRUNK AREA. THE SEPARATION CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, AS THE DIFFERENTIAL WILL BECOME DISCONNECTED FROM THE CHASSIS.*AK THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW Z3 CARS. MORE DETAILS OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE FOUND AT HTTP://WWW.368S.COM/INDEX.PHP?P=23 PLEASE REQUIRE BMW TO FIX THIS DESIGN DEFECT BEFORE IT CLAIMS A LIFE. # OF FAILURES IS ESTIMATED. ACTUAL FIGURE IS PROBABLY HIGHER AND BELIEVED TO BE DOUBLE DIGIT PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES PRO… ODI 10135539 · 29,990 miCAR IS A 1998 BMW M ROADSTER. SPOT WELDS ATTACHING THE SUBFRAME AND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNTS TO THE CAR ARE SEPARATING, CAUSING AN UNSAFE STRUCTURAL SITUATION. *NM |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Too few reports for a range | 75,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10165581 · 75,000 mi1) DRIVING, SUB-FRAME WELD SEPARATION (SEAM AND SPOT WELDS) AND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT CRACK. 3) ONE FAILED ATTEMPT AT RE-WELD BY BODY SHOP. *JB |
| Structure:Body | Too few reports for a range | 61,777 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10062316 · 44,000 miIN REGARD TO ALL MODEL YEAR Z3 BMW AUTOMOBILES. LATELY, INCLUDING WITH MY CAR, BMW Z3'S AS WELL AS ///M ROADSTERS AND COUPES (LIKE MY CAR), HAVE BEGUN EXPERIENCING HORRIFIC FAILURE IN THE REAR END DUE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CRACKING AWAY FROM THE CHASSIS. COUNTLESS OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING LARGE CRACKS IN THEIR FRAME NEAR THE DIFFERENTIAL, CAUSE THE CAR TO BECOME LOOSE AND RESULT IN A POTENTIAL CRASH. MANY OWNERS HAVE EVEN SEEN THEIR ENTIRE TRUNK FLOORBOARDS BEGIN TO SEPARATE FROM THE CAR DUE TO WEAK WELDING. BMW HAS FOR THE MOST PART BE… ODI 10142644 · 79,553 mi(1)I NOTICED THERE WERE CREAKS COMING FROM THE TRUNK. I SAW FIVE SPOT WELDS PULLED THROUGH THE SHEET METAL FROM THE MIDDLE TO THE LEFT SIDE, AND THE SHEET METAL WAS SEPARATING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUNK. (2) AFTER BRINGING IN THE '98 M-ROADSTER IN TO A BMW DEALERSHIP FOR AN ESTIMATE I WAS TOLD THE CAR WAS NOT SAFE IF I WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN A REAR END ACCIDENT. (3) THE TRUNK WAS RE-WELDED, BUT NOT REINFORCED. *NM |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | Too few reports for a range | 78,625 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10133480 · 28,470 miREAR SUBFRAME WELD FAILURE ALLOWING THE DIFFERENTIAL TO DROP TO THE POINT THAT THE ONLY THING HOLDING IT IN ARE THE HALFSHAFTS RESTING ON THE FRAME RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE ODI 10211084 · 128,780 mi2 MONTHS AGO MY EXHAUST SYSTEM DROPPED ON MY CAR, AND WAS RUBBING ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. I TOOK IT INTO A SHOP, AND THE EXHAUST BRACKET WAS MODIFIED TO CLEAR THE DIFFERENTIAL. I WENT IN TO HAVE MY BELTS REPLACED YESTERDAY, AND FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SUBFRAME OF MY CAR HAD TORN AWAY FROM THE BODY. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR |
| Air Bags:Frontal | Too few reports for a range | 35,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10083684 · 35,000 miWHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE LOST CONTROL AND WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. IT ONLY STOPPED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK |
| Power Train | Too few reports for a range | 90,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10385548 · 90,000 miI DID A QUICK SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE AND HAVE FOUND APPROX. 60 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAFETY ISSUE. I'M QUITE SURPRISED THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT SANCTIONED BMW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT THIS IS A COMMON SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND BEING ADVISED TO CHECK FOR IT, I FOUND THAT THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT TO THE SUB-FRAME HAD TORN LOOSE, AND THE SUB-FRAME AND MOUNT WERE BOTH BEGINNING TO TEAR. HAD I NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM IN TIME, THE DIFFERENTIAL WOULD HAVE SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE CAR (AS… |
| Structure | Too few reports for a range | 76,550 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10133407 · 76,550 mi1998 BMW M ROADSTER REAR SUB-FRAME FAILURE (1) NORMAL DRIVING (NON-RACING) LED TO A TORN REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT AND SUB-FRAME CRACK. (2) CAR WAS UNDRIVEABLE AS THE REAR AXLES WERE RUBBING ON THE EXHAUST AND THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS 5" FROM TOUCHING THE GROUND (3) I HAD A PRIVATE MECHANIC DO THE REPAIR WORK WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE WHOLE REAR SUB-FRAME AND PUTTING IN A NEW, REINFORCED ONE. *NM |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2002: 2 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Structure:Frame And Members | Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | Structure:Body | Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | Air Bags | Air Bags:Frontal | Power Train | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure:Frame And Members | — | 2ODI 10165581 · 75,000 mi1) DRIVING, SUB-FRAME WELD SEPARATION (SEAM AND SPOT WELDS) AND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT CRACK. 3) ONE FAILED ATTEMPT AT RE-WELD BY BODY SHOP. *JB ODI 10177032I READ ABOUT THE REAR SUBFRAME TEARING OFF OF BMW Z3S AND M ROADSTERS AND DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK AT MINE. FOUND THE WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME ON WERE FAILING BADLY AND THE BRACKET HOLD MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS SPLITTING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM I GUESS. *NM | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2ODI 10165581 · 75,000 mi1) DRIVING, SUB-FRAME WELD SEPARATION (SEAM AND SPOT WELDS) AND DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT CRACK. 3) ONE FAILED ATTEMPT AT RE-WELD BY BODY SHOP. *JB ODI 10177032I READ ABOUT THE REAR SUBFRAME TEARING OFF OF BMW Z3S AND M ROADSTERS AND DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK AT MINE. FOUND THE WELDS HOLDING THE SUBFRAME ON WERE FAILING BADLY AND THE BRACKET HOLD MY REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS SPLITTING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM I GUESS. *NM | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Body | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.