2001 BMW z3 roadster
WBACN33451LM01460
Vehicle history report for the 2001 BMW z3 roadster (VIN WBACN33451LM01460). Blue, convertible/cabriolet, 2.5L 6-cyl 184 hp, gasoline. Title: Clean. 122,000 mi reported. Registered in Ct. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN WBACN33451LM01460
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2001 bmw z3 roadster.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW z3 roadster, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🚑 1 reported injury
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 8
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2001 BMW z3 roadster.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM DRIVING AS NORMAL AND THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO HAVE PROBLEMS SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON. THE OWNERS MANUAL TELL YOU TO PULL OVER AND SHIFT THE CAR INTO PARK AND THEN APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON. IT SEEMS TO TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE PROBLEM BUT IT STILL OCCURS ON DAYS WHEN THE AIR TEMP. IS HIGH. …
NHTSA ODI #10462350SUSPENSION
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS AUTO. I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE ON DECELERATION. UPON INSPECTING THE CAR, I FOUND THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME WAS ALMOST BROKER IN HALF. THIS IS THE PART THE HOLDS THE ENTIRE REAR SUSPENSION FOR THE CAR. FROM RESEARCH I'M FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH Z-3 BMW'S IN WHAT APPEARS TO B…
NHTSA ODI #10459349SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2001 BMW Z3 3.0L. THE ABS/DSC SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARYING SPEEDS THE BRAKES ENGAGE ON THEIR OWN, CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE TO APPLY AND PULL THE CAR TO THE RIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SINCE IT COULD CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL. THE ACTIVATION OF THE BRAKES HAPPENS WHILE…
NHTSA ODI #10358612AIR BAGS
I OWN A 2001 BMW Z3 3.0I ROADSTER THAT SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED ITS DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AIRBAG WHEN I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION IN THE DRIVEWAY, RESULTING IN A LARGE BRUISE AND BURN ON MY LEFT ARM. THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW DAYS EARLIER, BUT THE OWNER'S MANUAL DID NOT INDICATE ANY HAZARD OF SPONTANEOUS DEPLOYMENT, AND I HAD NOT YET GOTTEN THE CAR …
1 injured · NHTSA ODI #10239274ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AFTER LEAVING MY VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, I STARTED MY VEHICLE WITH AN AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. I PROCEEDED TO LET MY VEHICLE WARM WHILE I CLEANED OFF THE SNOW. I THEN GOT INTO MY VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO LOOSE ENGINE POWER, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO PULL TO THE …
NHTSA ODI #10182940POWER TRAIN
ON JUNE 3,2005, I HAD NEW BRAKES & TIRES PUT ON MY 2001 Z-3 BMW ROADSTER BY HENDRICKS BMW OF HICKORY,NC. ON JULY 8,2005 WHILE DECENDING MOUNTAIN RD IN CHEROKEE,NC, MY CLUTCH LOCKED-UP AND I WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO HENDRICK'S WHERE THEY CLAIM I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH FOR $875.00. THERE IS ONLY 35,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND I FEEL THE BM…
NHTSA ODI #10128530AIR BAGS
VEHICLE DROVE OVER A LARGE CHUNK OF CONCRETE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH WHEN THE SIDE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10056139POWER TRAIN
I HAVE A 2003 BMW Z4 WITH SEQUENTIAL MANUAL GEARBOX. THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I STEPPED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. THE CAR IS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR AUTOMATICALLY WHEN STOPPING BUT THEN IT SHIFTS TO…
NHTSA ODI #10036629




