1997 BMW Z3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 22 of 47 complaints (47%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 30 in 1996 to 47 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350 | 3,250–4,100 | 2,600–3,450 | 3,100–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 23 | 19–24 | 18–24 | 19–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20 / 29 | 16–20 / 23–29 | 16–20 / 22–29 | 17 / 24–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386 | 370–468 | 370–494 | 444–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 30 | 47 | 49 | 39 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 6 | 4 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 BMW Z3 have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 BMW Z3?
Airbags & Restraints: 22 of 47 NHTSA complaints (47%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 BMW Z3 get?
EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 BMW Z3?
EPA estimates $3,250–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,250 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $4,100 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 22 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 06E026000 · Mar 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · Campaign 97V131000 · Aug 29, 1997
Defect: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.