1999 BMW Z3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 16 of 39 complaints (41%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 49 in 1998 to 39 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 1999 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,250–4,100 | 2,600–3,450 | 3,100–3,300 | 3,900–4,100 | 3,700–4,100 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–24 | 18–24 | 19–20 | 19–20 | 19–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–20 / 23–29 | 16–20 / 22–29 | 17 / 24–25 | 17 / 24–25 | 17–19 / 23–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–468 | 370–494 | 444–468 | 444–468 | 423–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 47 | 49 | 39 | 50 | 27 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 4 | 6 | 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 1999 BMW Z3 have?
3 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 1999 BMW Z3?
Airbags & Restraints: 16 of 39 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW Z3 get?
EPA rates it 19–20 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 BMW Z3?
EPA estimates $3,100–$3,300 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 | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 25 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | $3,100 (low) | 444 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters | 17 mpg | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 16 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 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 (3)
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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 99V272000 · Oct 26, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL MAY CONTAIN RING GEAR BOLTS THAT WERE INCORRECTLY TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE BOLT OR BOLTS COULD LOOSEN LEADING TO NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL.
Consequence: THE BOLT OR BOLTS COULD LOOSEN LEADING TO NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AND IF A BOLT WERE TO COMPLETELY WORK LOOSE FROM ITS MOUNT, LOCKUP OF THE REAR AXLE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE'S DIFFERENTIAL AND IF INVOLVED, WILL REPLACE IT.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES · Campaign 98V275000 · Nov 5, 1998
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE NUT THAT SECURES THE MAIN POSITIVE CABLE TO THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMP WAS NOT TIGHTENED PROPERLY, ALLOWING THE CABLE TO LOOSEN OVER TIME. IF THIS OCCURRED, THE CABLE COULD ULTIMATELY LOOSEN TO THE POINT WHERE ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY COULD BE INTERRUPTED.
Consequence: IF THIS OCCURED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE COULD STOP. ALSO, IF THE VEHICLE WERE BEING OPERATED AT NIGHT, THE LIGHTING SYSTEM COULD SHUT OFF, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATIONS.