1998 BMW Z3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 20 of 49 complaints (41%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 47 in 1997 to 49 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350 | 3,250–4,100 | 2,600–3,450 | 3,100–3,300 | 3,900–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 23 | 19–24 | 18–24 | 19–20 | 19–20 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20 / 29 | 16–20 / 23–29 | 16–20 / 22–29 | 17 / 24–25 | 17 / 24–25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386 | 370–468 | 370–494 | 444–468 | 444–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 30 | 47 | 49 | 39 | 50 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 6 | 4 | 6 | 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 1998 BMW Z3 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 1998 BMW Z3?
Body, Seats & Latches: 20 of 49 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW Z3 get?
EPA rates it 18–24 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 BMW Z3?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| 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 | Regular | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (high) | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 20 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 16 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 468 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 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 (1)
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.