2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V206000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Reported: 2001-06-21 (June 21, 2001) · Model years: 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Reported: 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002) · Model years: 2001
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO OVERLOAD AND FAIL, CAUSING THE FAN TO STOP OPERATING.
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, ENGINE OVERHEATING AND SUBSEQUENT ENGINE DAMAGE COULD RESULT. IN ADDITION, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY TO CAUSE A FIRE IN THE FAN CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
7 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
71.4%Usable mileage5 / 7 records
100.0%Valid incident date7 / 7 records
100.0%Valid filing date7 / 7 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 7 records
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 complaint heatmap
Component
2001
2002
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
125.0%ODI 10862199 · 31,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW Z8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ UPDATED 07/13/16.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW Z8. WHILE STATIONARY, THE TAIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WERE NOT STEADY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,400. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ THE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. *JS
AFTER DRIVING 7 MILES, WITH NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS OR HIGH TEMPERATURE REGISTERING ON A GAUGE, A FIRE STARTED IN THE FAN AREA AND BURNED THROUGH THE COWLING ABOVE THE RADIATOR. THE FLAME WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH WATER AFTER THE COWLING WAS DESTROYED.*AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW Z8. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
FUEL GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE CAR AT ALL TIMES BEFORE,DURING, AND AFTER DRIVING. UNSAFE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARD! BMW OF LAS VEGAS, 702 871010 INVOICE 788613 09 JULY,18 RETURNED MY BMW Z-8 TO ME IN FAILED UNSAFE CONDITION WITH FAILURE INDICATORS ON DASH DISPLAY. OWNER GARAGED THE BMW Z-8 AT HIS HOME NOT USING THE CAR BUT TO RETURN TO DEALER IN FAILED UNSAFE CONDITION ASAP! $2835.33 WRONGFULLY CHARGED TO OWNER KUNKLE. FUEL LEAKS ARE BMW DESIGN MANUFACTURER FAILURE AND ARE AT MINIMUM DEALER COST ITEMS AS WELL AS FOLLOW ON DEALER MALPRACTICE FAUL…
MY VEHICLE IS A BMW Z8. IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BMW Z8 OWNERS AND MYSELF THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT ALUMINUM FRAME FAILURE ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN BUT NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY BMW NA. UPON TRAVELING OVER A POTHOLE THE ALUMINUM FRAME MEMBERS IN THE FRONT (SHOCK TOWERS) ARE KNOWN TO BEND CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE AL FRAME. BMW NA HAS NOT DEVELOPED A FIX/REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM AND OR ADDRESSED POTENTIAL LOSS OF FRAME INTEGRITY THAT BMW Z8 OWNERS CAN FACE. BMW NA HAS ALSO NOT DEVELOPED A PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION OR FIX T…
THIS ENTIRE MODEL RUN OF THIS HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR IS NOW EXHIBITING SIGNIFICANT FLEXING AND WEAKENING OF THE ALUMINUM FRAME DUE TO A DESIGN FAILURE. THIS IS CAUSING THE CHASSIS TO BEND AT THE AREA OF THE SHOCK TOWER CROWNS, AND CHANGE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CAR. ALUMINUM CHASSIS CAN NOT BE FIXED, THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THIS DESIGN FLAW IS AROUND $80,000 PER CAR ONCE THE CHASSIS GIVES WAY. YOU CAN SEE A FULL REVIEW OF THE PROBLEM HERE: HTTP://WWW.BMWZ8.US/VBB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=400&REFERRERID=2. *AK
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 failure mileage distribution
Component
Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)
Median
Usable records
Examples
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Too few reports for a range
27,200 mi
2 (sparse)
ODI 10862199 · 31,000 mi
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW Z8. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ UPDATED 07/13/16.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW Z8. WHILE STATIONARY, THE TAIL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND WERE NOT STEADY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,400. UPDATED 10/21/16*LJ THE LIGHT BULBS WERE REPLACED. *JS
FUEL GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE CAR AT ALL TIMES BEFORE,DURING, AND AFTER DRIVING. UNSAFE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARD! BMW OF LAS VEGAS, 702 871010 INVOICE 788613 09 JULY,18 RETURNED MY BMW Z-8 TO ME IN FAILED UNSAFE CONDITION WITH FAILURE INDICATORS ON DASH DISPLAY. OWNER GARAGED THE BMW Z-8 AT HIS HOME NOT USING THE CAR BUT TO RETURN TO DEALER IN FAILED UNSAFE CONDITION ASAP! $2835.33 WRONGFULLY CHARGED TO OWNER KUNKLE. FUEL LEAKS ARE BMW DESIGN MANUFACTURER FAILURE AND ARE AT MINIMUM DEALER COST ITEMS AS WELL AS FOLLOW ON DEALER MALPRACTICE FAUL…
MY VEHICLE IS A BMW Z8. IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BMW Z8 OWNERS AND MYSELF THAT THERE IS AN INHERENT ALUMINUM FRAME FAILURE ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN BUT NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY BMW NA. UPON TRAVELING OVER A POTHOLE THE ALUMINUM FRAME MEMBERS IN THE FRONT (SHOCK TOWERS) ARE KNOWN TO BEND CAUSING IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE AL FRAME. BMW NA HAS NOT DEVELOPED A FIX/REPAIR FOR THIS PROBLEM AND OR ADDRESSED POTENTIAL LOSS OF FRAME INTEGRITY THAT BMW Z8 OWNERS CAN FACE. BMW NA HAS ALSO NOT DEVELOPED A PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE MODIFICATION OR FIX T…
THIS ENTIRE MODEL RUN OF THIS HIGH PERFORMANCE CAR IS NOW EXHIBITING SIGNIFICANT FLEXING AND WEAKENING OF THE ALUMINUM FRAME DUE TO A DESIGN FAILURE. THIS IS CAUSING THE CHASSIS TO BEND AT THE AREA OF THE SHOCK TOWER CROWNS, AND CHANGE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CAR. ALUMINUM CHASSIS CAN NOT BE FIXED, THEY HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THIS DESIGN FLAW IS AROUND $80,000 PER CAR ONCE THE CHASSIS GIVES WAY. YOU CAN SEE A FULL REVIEW OF THE PROBLEM HERE: HTTP://WWW.BMWZ8.US/VBB/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=400&REFERRERID=2. *AK
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
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month
Complaints
Campaigns announced
Examples
2024-10
0
None
No examples available for this selection.
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 (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.
2001: 1 complaints · 2002: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2001
1
1
1
2002
0
0
1
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year
Incident dates used
Filing date fallbacks
Excluded dates
2001
4
0
0
2002
3
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 co-occurrence matrix
Component
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Exterior Lighting
Fuel/Propulsion System
Structure
Structure:Frame And Members
Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
—
0
0
0
0
0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
0
—
0
0
0
0
Exterior Lighting
0
0
—
0
0
0
Fuel/Propulsion System
0
0
0
—
0
0
Structure
0
0
0
0
—
0
Structure:Frame And Members
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.
1 patterns with matching reports.
Fuel smell or leak mentions
1 mentions · 14.3% of complaints
Median mileage: 26,158 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 11114265 · 26,158 mi
FUEL GASOLINE ODOR INSIDE CAR AT ALL TIMES BEFORE,DURING, AND AFTER DRIVING. UNSAFE HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARD! BMW OF LAS VEGAS, 702 871010 INVOICE 788613 09 JULY,18 RETURNED MY BMW Z-8 TO ME IN FAILED UNSAFE CONDITION WITH FAILURE INDICATORS ON DASH DISPLAY. OWNER GARAGED THE BMW Z-8 AT HIS HOME NOT USING THE CAR BUT TO RETURN TO DEALER IN FAILED UNSAFE CONDITION ASAP! $2835.33 WRONGFULLY CHARGED TO OWNER KUNKLE. FUEL LEAKS ARE BMW DESIGN MANUFACTURER FAILURE AND ARE AT MINIMUM DEALER COST ITEMS AS WELL AS FOLLOW ON DEALER MALPRACTICE FAUL…