1997 BMW Z3 Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 9%of 47 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 BMW Z3, 9% of the 47 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 110,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I turned the key to start the vehicle. It started normally. I put the car in neutral (5 speed trans.) to allow it to warm-up for about 2 minutes while I checked my voice mail on my phone. As I put the car in gear and looked out the windshield to pull out of my parking space, I saw dense white smoke rolling out from under the hood on the driver's side. I looked at the dash for any warning or indicator lights; there were none. I immediately turned the car off, popped the hood, and got out of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10371628, filed 2010-12, 110,000 miles“While driving, the air bag light illuminateed on the dashboard, the airbag sensor was replaced. . Consumer stated the seat belt tensioner and harness was causing the air bag light and engine light to come on, the hood sensor for the alarm was replaced, there was a faulty thermostat that caused damage to the radiator, the glove box was replaced and the seat came out of place when stopping.”
NHTSA complaint #8003673, filed 2002-02“First failure, driver and passenger seats are coming loose from the track that the seats move back and forth on. The seats can move back and forth a few inches, without depressing on the level to move the seats back and forth. The automobile dealership diagnosed the problem to be the track and it required replacement. The automobile manufacturer and dealer contends this is a repair item and does not believe it to be defect in the seats or a safety problem should an accident occur. …”
NHTSA complaint #10010799, filed 2003-03Other or unknown: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 BMW Z3
15 complaintsSeats
13 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 BMW Z3
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology