2001 BMW Z3 3.0i
WBACN53491LL47897
Vehicle history report for the 2001 BMW Z3 3.0i (VIN WBACN53491LL47897). Black. 139,350 mi reported. Registered in Pa. 1 open safety recall. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2001 BMW Z3 worth?
What comparable 2001 BMW Z3 vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
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See this car's exact value →Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN WBACN53491LL47897
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 1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 18 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2001 BMW Z3, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 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.
🔍 Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
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 18
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2001 BMW Z3.
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS BEEN ALIGHT FOR SOMETIME. I'M NOT CERTAIN IF IT'S AN AIRBAG FAILURE OR WHETHER IT'S ON THE DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE. I WAS SURPRISED NOT TO FIND MY AUTO INCLUDED IN THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL LIST EVENT. CAN YOU SHED ANY LIGHT ON THIS MATTER? IF SO, MANY THANKS IN ADVANCE.
NHTSA ODI #11404637AIR BAGS
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN ENGINE IS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11326781ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,VISIBILITY,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE,TIRES,SEATS,EQUIPMENT
2001 BMW Z3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE FROM DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON EBAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ARRIVED AND THEN EVALUATED, HE WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE OVER 10 YEARS OLD, SEVERAL LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE, BOTH FOG LIGHT AND LEFT PARKING AND TURNING L…
NHTSA ODI #10567172LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
DOORLOCK CYLINDER ASSEMBLY INSIDE DOOR BREAKS, CAUSING LOCK CYLINDER NOT TO BE HELD IN PLACE & WHEN KEY IS INSERTED IN LOCK CYLINDER THE WHOLE LOCK CYLINDER JUST TURNS WITH THE KEY. MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK THE DOOR. I'M EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER DOOR & THE DRIVERS DOOR IS STARTING TO ACT SLOPPY ALSO. THIS IS A PROBLEM EXPERIENC…
NHTSA ODI #10519677LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE CONSUMER STATED BARREL CYLINDER IN THE PASSENGER RIGHT SIDE DOOR JUST TURNS WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED AND TURNS AROUND AND DOES NOT ENGAGE. *BF
NHTSA ODI #10505083ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT
I HAVE A Z3 2001. THE CAR KEEPS STALLS WHILE DRIVING. THE BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN COLUMBUS OHIO HAS BEEN UNABLE DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL PUMP, THEN SAID IT WAS THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE THEN SAID THEY STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.. THEY'VE HAD IT ON AND OFF SINCE MAY 6. (ABOUT ONE MONTH). THE …
NHTSA ODI #10334640TIRES,EQUIPMENT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 BMW Z3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR VALVE STEMS HAD TO BE REPLACED ON HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY WERE CRACKED AND CAUSED AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. THE VALVE STEMS WERE TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413. THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED BY TOYO. THE PART NUMBER AND SERIAL NUMBER FOR THE VALVE STEMS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVA…
NHTSA ODI #10270028TIRES
THE FRONT TIRE DID NOT HOLD AIR.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10008957+ 10 more complaints on record.





