2001 Bmw Z3 ROADSTER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
65,873 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data updated: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Owner-reported patterns
Most common problems
Air Bags:Side/Window is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 8 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic
Matching reports
Share of complaints
Braking behavior
3
37.5%
Transmission and shifting
2
25.0%
Engine operation
1
12.5%
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
Electrical System
1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Power Train
1
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
1
Power Train:Manual Transmission
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
Component breakdown data
Category
Count
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
Electrical System
1
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
Power Train
1
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
1
Power Train:Manual Transmission
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Power Train: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle): 1; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
Category
Count
Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
2
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
2
150,000 and above
0
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 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.
Air Bags:Side/Window leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 WITH SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR AUTOMATICALLY WHEN STOPPING BUT THEN IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SHIFT KNOB AND IT DOES SO WHENEVER IT DECIDES TO DO IT. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND BMW STATES THERE IS NO RECALLS ON IT OR …
ON JUNE 3,2005, I HAD NEW BRAKES & TIRES PUT ON MY 2001 Z-3 BMW ROADSTER BY HENDRICKS BMW OF HICKORY,NC. ON JULY 8,2005 WHILE DECENDING MOUNTAIN RD IN CHEROKEE,NC, MY CLUTCH LOCKED-UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HENDRICK'S WHERE THEY CLAIM I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH FOR $875.00. THERE IS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I FEEL THE BMW CENTER DIDN'T CHECK THE BRAKE FLUID WHEN MY BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THAT CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO LOCK-UP. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE IF ANY OTHER Z3 OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR CL…
AFTER LEAVING MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I PROCEEDED TO LET MY VEHICLE WARM WHILE I CLEANED OFF THE SNOW. I THEN GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO LOOSE ENGINE POWER, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I PARKED MY CAR. I SHUT MY CAR DOWN AND AFTER TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE FAILED PART IS A CRANKCA…
I OWN A 2001 BMW Z3 3.0I ROADSTER THAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ITS DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG WHEN I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A LARGE BRUISE AND BURN ON MY LEFT ARM. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE ANY HAZARD OF SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT, AND I HAD NOT YET GOTTEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE CAR REMAINS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN, EXAMINED, DIAGNOSE…
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THIS OCCURS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DISAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TH…
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS AUTO. I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON DECELERATION. UPON INSPECTING THE CAR, I FOUND THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS ALMOST BROKER IN HALF. THIS IS THE PART THE HOLDS THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION FOR THE CAR. FROM RESEARCH I'M FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH Z-3 BMW'S IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN THEIR ENGINEERING. I WAS VERY SHOCKED TO SEE THE DAMAGE AND THAT IF I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR, VERY SHORTLY THE PART WOULD HAVE FAILED, WIPING OUT THE WHOLE REAR S…
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE…
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Explore the data
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
100.0%Usable mileage8 / 8 records
87.5%Valid incident date7 / 8 records
100.0%Valid filing date8 / 8 records
87.5%Ordered incident and filing dates7 / 8 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
1998
2000
2001
Structure:Frame And Members
631.6%ODI 10133488 · 72,800 mi
I HEARD A CREAKING FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR, I PUT IT ON JACKS TO CHECK IT OUT. TO MY SURPRISE I FOUND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FLOOR PAN MAINLY AROUND THE DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT. THE CAR IS CLAIMED TO BE UNDRIVABLE BY BMW, BUT YET THEY WILL NOT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATTER. I SEE IT AS A SAFETY ISSUE AS IF I DID NOT CHECK IT AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CRACKS AND TEARS IN THE BODY METAL THAT EXIST COULD HAVE CONTINUED EVEN FURTHER AND LED TO AN ACCIDENT OR WORSE. I WAS ESTIMATED AT A WHOPPING 5200 DOLLARS WHICH BMW SAID THEY WOULD ONLY PAY…
REAR DIFFERENTIAL SHEET METAL MOUNTING BRACKET TORE LOOSE FROM FLOOR PAN, FOR THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME AT 70000 MILES, SECOND TIME AT 90000 MILES. THIN SHEET METAL BRACKETS AND CROSS MEMBER DO NOT APPEAR ADEQUATE. ALSO WELDED SEAMS COMING APART ON FLOOR OF TRUNK ABOVE DIFFERENTIAL. *JB
1998 BMW Z3, 1.9. SRS (AIRBAG LIGHT) CONSTANTLY COMING ON EVER SINCE I BOUGHT IT! I HAD IT FIXED 3 TIMES ALREADY AT THE DEALERSHIP SUPPOSEDLY UNDER WARANTY BUT STILL COSTING ME ATLEAST 100 DOLLARS R "DIAGNOSTIC FEES". IT CAME ON AGAIN AND I GIVE UP.ITS BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS NOW. WHY BOTHER GETTING IT FIXED IF IT WILL JUST COME ON AGAIN! I AM GOING TO TRY BUYING THE DIAGNOSTIC TOOL MYSELF AND SEEING IF I CAN HANDLE IT MYSELF. *AK
TRAVELING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 101 IN AGOURA HILLS, CA A SMALL ROCK APPEARING IN MY LANE MADE A CLANKING SOUND WITH THE UNDERSIDE OF MY VEHICLE AT WHICH TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *TR
A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM REAR END WAS NOTICED. UPON INSPECTION, BY BMW DEALERSHIP IT WAS DETERMINED THE REAR SUBFRAME HOLDING REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE (SPOT WELD FAILURE). I WAS TOLD IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND TO FIX IMMEDIATELY. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. HIGHER DISPLACEMENT MODELS ARE A HIGHER OCCURRENCE DUE TO CREATING MORE TORQUE ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL BRACKET. MINE IS THE M VERSION WHICH IS ALMOST A GUARANTEED FAILURE.
I PURCHASED CAR 6-4-12 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A SQUEAK AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK, AFTER REMOVING TRUNK LINING THE SPOT WELDS [4] WERE BROKE LOOSE IN TRUNK FLOOR FROM CROSS MEMBER WHERE REAR END IS SUPPORTED.. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT HOPING THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON CAR I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR CAR AT MY EXPENSE I ASKED IF THAT WAS AN ENGINEERED REPAIR OR JUST A TEMPORARY REPAIR THERE RESPONSE WAS ITS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD EVER HAPPENED.. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND IT WAS NO…
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS AUTO. I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON DECELERATION. UPON INSPECTING THE CAR, I FOUND THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS ALMOST BROKER IN HALF. THIS IS THE PART THE HOLDS THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION FOR THE CAR. FROM RESEARCH I'M FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH Z-3 BMW'S IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FLAW IN THEIR ENGINEERING. I WAS VERY SHOCKED TO SEE THE DAMAGE AND THAT IF I WOULD HAVE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR, VERY SHORTLY THE PART WOULD HAVE FAILED, WIPING OUT THE WHOLE REAR S…
I PURCHASED CAR 6-4-12 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A SQUEAK AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK, AFTER REMOVING TRUNK LINING THE SPOT WELDS [4] WERE BROKE LOOSE IN TRUNK FLOOR FROM CROSS MEMBER WHERE REAR END IS SUPPORTED.. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT HOPING THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON CAR I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR CAR AT MY EXPENSE I ASKED IF THAT WAS AN ENGINEERED REPAIR OR JUST A TEMPORARY REPAIR THERE RESPONSE WAS ITS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD EVER HAPPENED.. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND IT WAS NO…
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE…
I PURCHASED CAR 6-4-12 AFTER DRIVING THE CAR I NOTICED A SQUEAK AND A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK, AFTER REMOVING TRUNK LINING THE SPOT WELDS [4] WERE BROKE LOOSE IN TRUNK FLOOR FROM CROSS MEMBER WHERE REAR END IS SUPPORTED.. I TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER WHERE CAR WAS BOUGHT HOPING THE DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN ON CAR I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPAIR CAR AT MY EXPENSE I ASKED IF THAT WAS AN ENGINEERED REPAIR OR JUST A TEMPORARY REPAIR THERE RESPONSE WAS ITS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD EVER HAPPENED.. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND IT WAS NO…
DRIVER SEAT RAIL IS DEFECTIVE AND IT MOVES BACK AND FORTH AS YOU STOP OR ACCELERATE POSING A DRIVER CONTROL SAFEY HAZARD. BMW WILL NOT FIX AT THEIR COST AND SAYS IT IS A CONSUMER REQUEST REPAIR. I DISAGREE THAT SEAT STRUCTURE FAILURE IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE HANDLED. *AK
THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THE BMW PLANT IN SOUTH CAROLINA WHERE THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE FACTORY INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM, REPORTED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT IT WAS JUST A MALFUNCTION. HE RESET THE SRS AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. THE NEXT DAY IT CAME ON AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN REST IT AGAIN, BUT IT JUST KEEPS HAPPENING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIRBAG MAY NOT OPERATE DURING AN ACCIDENT.*AK
I OWN A 2001 BMW Z3 3.0I ROADSTER THAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ITS DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG WHEN I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A LARGE BRUISE AND BURN ON MY LEFT ARM. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE ANY HAZARD OF SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT, AND I HAD NOT YET GOTTEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE CAR REMAINS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN, EXAMINED, DIAGNOSE…
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE…
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THIS OCCURS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DISAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TH…
AFTER LEAVING MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I PROCEEDED TO LET MY VEHICLE WARM WHILE I CLEANED OFF THE SNOW. I THEN GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO LOOSE ENGINE POWER, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I PARKED MY CAR. I SHUT MY CAR DOWN AND AFTER TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE FAILED PART IS A CRANKCA…
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE…
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
Too few reports for a range
35,009 mi
1 (sparse)
ODI 10128530 · 35,009 mi
ON JUNE 3,2005, I HAD NEW BRAKES & TIRES PUT ON MY 2001 Z-3 BMW ROADSTER BY HENDRICKS BMW OF HICKORY,NC. ON JULY 8,2005 WHILE DECENDING MOUNTAIN RD IN CHEROKEE,NC, MY CLUTCH LOCKED-UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HENDRICK'S WHERE THEY CLAIM I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH FOR $875.00. THERE IS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I FEEL THE BMW CENTER DIDN'T CHECK THE BRAKE FLUID WHEN MY BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THAT CAUSED THE CLUTCH TO LOCK-UP. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INVESTIGATE IF ANY OTHER Z3 OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR CL…
I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 WITH SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR AUTOMATICALLY WHEN STOPPING BUT THEN IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT TOUCHING THE SHIFT KNOB AND IT DOES SO WHENEVER IT DECIDES TO DO IT. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY AND BMW STATES THERE IS NO RECALLS ON IT OR …
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THIS OCCURS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DISAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TH…
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
2024-11
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.
2000: 2 complaints · 2001: 1 complaints
Equal observation windows
Model year
Through age 0
Through age 1
Through age 2
2000
1
1
2
2001
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
2000
16
0
1
2001
7
1
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
Air Bags:Side/Window
Electrical System
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Power Train
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
Power Train:Manual Transmission
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Air Bags:Side/Window
—
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Electrical System
0
—
0
0
1ODI 10462350 · 120,000 mi
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE…
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THIS OCCURS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DISAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TH…
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE…
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
0
Power Train:Manual Transmission
0
0
0
0
0
0
—
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
0
0
1ODI 10358612 · 101,000 mi
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THIS OCCURS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DISAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TH…
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.
4 patterns with matching reports.
Battery drain and no-start mentions
1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints
Median mileage: 63,745 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10182940 · 63,745 mi
AFTER LEAVING MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I PROCEEDED TO LET MY VEHICLE WARM WHILE I CLEANED OFF THE SNOW. I THEN GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO LOOSE ENGINE POWER, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE I PARKED MY CAR. I SHUT MY CAR DOWN AND AFTER TRYING TO RESTART MY CAR IT WOULD NOT START. UPON HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THE FAILED PART IS A CRANKCA…
Matching rule\b(parasitic drain|battery drain\w*|dead battery|won.t start|would not start|no.start)\b
Brake response concerns
1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints
Median mileage: 101,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10358612 · 101,000 mi
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE DRIVER'S FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, NO WHERE NEAR THE BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER THIS OCCURS THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THIS DISAPPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND TH…
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ON THE DIAGNOSTIC A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH NO CURE. AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION OR ECU. BUT THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE…
Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b
Warning lights and dashboard alerts
1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints
Median mileage: 68,000 mi (1 usable records).
ODI 10239274 · 68,000 mi
I OWN A 2001 BMW Z3 3.0I ROADSTER THAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ITS DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG WHEN I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A LARGE BRUISE AND BURN ON MY LEFT ARM. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE ANY HAZARD OF SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT, AND I HAD NOT YET GOTTEN THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN MODIFIED IN ANY WAY AND IS OTHERWISE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. THE CAR REMAINS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN, EXAMINED, DIAGNOSE…