2001 BMW Z3 Roadster Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 65,872miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 20 mpgcombined, 2.5L 6-cyl RWD · 17 city / 24 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by air bags (2) and brakes (1). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 65,872 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 4 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags2 25%
- Brakes1 13%
- Electrical system1 13%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Suspension1 13%
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10462350, filed 2012-06, 120,000 milesAir bags: “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, diagnosed, or repaired since the malfunction. …”
NHTSA complaint #10239274, filed 2008-08, 68,000 milesBrakes: “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 then back on, however, the condition happens again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10358612, filed 2010-10, 101,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
38% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,009 and 78,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 2.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Z3 Roadster RWD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 4 on record; the latest 4 are shown.
- 10037025Aug 1, 2010Exterior lighting. Bmw: procedure for determining and replacing incandescent and halogen light bulbs under warranty.
- 10037702Jun 1, 2010Engine cooling. Bmw: when at lower speeds or stopping the engine idle dips too low because of a software problem.
- 10036979Jun 1, 2010Steering. Bmw: a new technical process has been created for bmw to identify causes of steering complaints with a wide range of models.
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Fuel system. Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery unit (suction jet…
Other model years of the BMW Z3 Roadster
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8 | 65,872 | 0 | — | 20 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 17 | 61,900 | 0 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 1998 | 19 | 72,800 | 0 | — | 23 | — | Stable |
All BMW Z3 Roadster model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by air bags with 2.
Has the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster get?
The EPA rates the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster (Z3 Roadster, 2.5L 6-cyl) at 20 mpg combined, 17 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,100 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 65,872 miles and the middle half falls between 35,009 and 78,500 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.