Airbag complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2000 BMW Z3. The contact's wife stated that while coming to a stop, the driver's side front air bag inadvertently deployed with no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife sustained a bruised arm; no medical attention was provided. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not towed, and the contact's wife was able to drive the vehicle home.. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a leaky strut on the front left side, and the guibo driveshaft flat disk had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 BMW Z3. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact's vehicle was involved in a front end collision. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained vertebrae damage, a sternum contusion, and breathing issues that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. It was not determined if the vehicle was destroyed. The dealer was not notified of the air bag failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Hello, NHTSA released a recall warning for BMWs made from 2000 to 2006, regarding Takata airbags. "The risk to vehicle occupants is dire," it said. My 1999 BMW Z3 was made one year before this, and is not included in the recall. I have been trying to determine whether my '99 BMW has Takata airbags as well, thus far with no success. As of today, BMW will only tell me that there are no outstanding recalls for my car - they have not been willing to tell me what type of airbags they originally installed in it. Do your records indicate what type of airbags I have?
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 70 MPH during clear conditions, the front driver side air bag deployed without warning or impact to the vehicle. There was no debris or potholes present. The contact suffered cuts, bruising and scaring to the left arm. The contact drove to the hospital. The service dealer and manufacturer were notified and photos were taken of the vehicle and injuries. Updated 11/16/2006 -the gas gauge and odometer were inoperative. The dealer replaced the instrument cluster. The driver's door grab handle was replaced. The rear shocks and mounts were replaced. There was a power steering leak. The dealer replaced the power steering hose res to pump. The dealer replaced the flex coupler on the drive shaft.
The air bag warning light illuminates, and there is an electrical buz heard through the radio. When turning the radio off and on the light goes off. The computer was replaced in April and the light continues to come on.
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 the wheel and rear-ended the vehicle in front of her. The contact stated that no other passengers were in her vehicle; however, only the driver's side air bag had failed to deploy. The contact required hospitalization and was in a coma. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and later auctioned. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed the VIN was not included in an air bag recall. The approximate failure mileage was 199,000. The VIN was not available.
After vehicle was vacuumed it would not start; the vehicle was pushed to the side and the driver turned the key again to start it, and a puff of smoke came from the steering column. The driver quickly tried to turn the key to the off position,then the lights dimmed. The key became immovable in the start position, and smoke began to pour from all the vents. Stunned, the driver opened the door to run from the vehicle, but the air bag deployed and knocked the driver unconscious. The driver was pulled from the vehicle and revived in time to get the negative battery terminal disconnected. Ems attended to the driver's injuries.
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 BMW Z3. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the seat belt could not be unlatched when the driver would depress or add any pressure to the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the air bag sensor and the seat belt assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW Z3 years have airbag problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (17), 1997 (15), 1999 (10) and 1996 (9) model years. Airbag complaints make up 49% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for BMW Z3 airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for any BMW Z3 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do BMW Z3 airbag problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the frontal (11 mentions), followed by the frontal › sensor/control module (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.