1998 BMW Z3 Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 27%of 30 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the seats of the 1998 BMW Z3, 27% of the 30 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,000 miles.
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.
“Driver's seat moves back and forth which can be a safety hazard, I have seen other Bmw Z3 while at a dealer for service with the same problem. Yet Bmw has not recognized this as a factory defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10110189, filed 2005-02, 17,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Bmw Z3. While driving at any rate of speed, the driver's seat moves backwards and forwards without warning. The dealer is aware of the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current mileage was 82,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10197346, filed 2007-07, 80,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Bmw Z3. During acceleration and deceleration the front passenger and driver seat adjustor rail failed. As a consequence, the seat moved back and forth while the contact was driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, but no repairs were made. The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was 65,000. Updated 11/09/09 the consumer stated Bmw knew there was a problem and therfore, they changed material used in the isolater pads. Updated 11/09/09”
NHTSA complaint #10285850, filed 2009-09, 50,000 milesSeats: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 BMW Z3
6 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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