1998 BMW Z3 Roadster Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster, and owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 66,684 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 4 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“A loud clunking sound coming from rear end was noticed. Upon inspection, by BMW dealership it was determined the rear subframe holding rear differential has separated from the body of the vehicle (spo”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 17, 2017 · Suspension
“The battery compartment fills with water when to rains and does not empty. This problem also causes rust and moisture in the trunk.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 18, 2017 · Structure
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1998 BMW Z3 (Z3 Roadster). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 18–24 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–20 / 22–29 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 1.9/2.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare BMW Z3 Roadster model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW Z3 Roadster model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster | 0 | 19 |
| 2000 BMW Z3 Roadster | 0 | 17 |
| 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster | 0 | 8 |
Checking a specific 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster
How do I know if my 1998 BMW Z3 Roadster has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised BMW dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other BMW models
- X53,154 complaints
- 328I2,578 complaints
- X32,004 complaints
- 325I1,386 complaints
- Z41,281 complaints
- 3 Series843 complaints
- 528I835 complaints
- 330I815 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.