There are no safety recalls for the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster, but owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA.
2001 BMW Z3 Roadster problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Power Train | 3 | |
| Air Bags | 2 | |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 1 | |
| Suspension | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Air Bags › Side/Window — 2
- Power Train › Manual Transmission — 1
- Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) — 1
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 68,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Power Train · at 120,000 miles · reported Jun 19, 2012
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 highway or in city traffic if the car stalls or…
Suspension · at 78,500 miles · reported May 23, 2012
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 suspension. I AM amazed that this was not a recall item…
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · at 101,000 miles · reported Oct 1, 2010
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.…
Air Bags · at 68,000 miles · reported Aug 22, 2008
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. I have called…
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 63,745 miles · reported Feb 19, 2007
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 crankcase vent valve. The part is known to fail in cold weather.…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster?
Owners report power train problems most often (3 reports), followed by air bags (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 68,000 miles.
Are BMW recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.