1997 BMW Z3 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 1997 BMW Z3, and owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 1997 BMW Z3
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Vehicle speed control
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,…
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.
47 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1997 BMW Z3 have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA; 4 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 101,902 miles. Complaints peaked in 2002 with 7 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owned a 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, there was a multi-car rear-end accident involving two other vehicles after she fell asleep at t”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 24, 2023 · Air bags
“Vehicle jerks, shutters and pulls to the right. Rear sub frame and differential bushing failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, January 23, 2017 · Suspension
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 1997 BMW Z3 (Z3 Roadster). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 19–24 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 16–20 / 23–29 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 1.9/2.8 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare BMW Z3 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every BMW Z3 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 BMW Z3 | 1 | 30 |
| 1997 BMW Z3 | 1 | 47 |
| 1998 BMW Z3 | 0 | 30 |
| 1999 BMW Z3 | 2 | 39 |
| 2000 BMW Z3 | 0 | 34 |
| 2001 BMW Z3 | 0 | 19 |
| 2002 BMW Z3 | 0 | 6 |
| 2003 BMW Z3 | 0 | 2 |
Checking a specific 1997 BMW Z3
How do I know if my 1997 BMW Z3 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. 1 campaign currently lists the 1997 BMW Z3; your car may already have been repaired under it.
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 (for example 97V131000).
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.