At a glance

Reported mileage149,390 mi

LocationFl, USA

ColorSilver

Last listed price$2,200

Open recalls1

Vehicle identity & specifications

Make

BMW

Model

M3

Year

1999

Trim

Base

Body style

Convertible/Cabriolet

Vehicle type

PASSENGER CAR

Engine

3.2L 6-cyl 240 hp

Cylinders

6

Fuel type

Gasoline

Doors

2

Assembly plant

REGENSBURG, GERMANY

Manufacturer

BMW M GMBH

Full vehicle history report

$14.99 USD · one-time

What a full report checks for VIN WBSBK033XXEC41596

⚠️ 1 open safety recall — shown above, free 🔒 Title & brand records 🔒 Accident & damage history 🔒 Salvage, total-loss & theft 🔒 Odometer & owner count 🔒 Liens & market valuation

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.

📜 Title status Clean, salvage, rebuilt, junk, flood or lemon

🏷️ Title brand history Every brand ever applied, by state

🧾 Number of owners How many registrations on record

🛞 Odometer readings Reported mileage over time

🔎 Rollback check Mileage inconsistency / tamper flags

💥 Accident & damage Reported collisions and damage events

🚧 Total-loss records Insurance total-loss declarations

♻️ Salvage & auction Salvage-yard and auction history

🚓 Theft records Reported / recovered theft events

🏦 Liens & impounds Outstanding liens or impound records

🏷️ Sale & listing history Past marketplace and dealer listings

💰 Market valuation Estimated value for this exact spec

Unlock full report — $14.99 → or get up to 20 reports a month for $19.99/mo → One-time purchase · permanent access · VIN WBSBK033XXEC41596

Safety recalls 1

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, LEFT AND RIGHT SATELLITE IMPACT SENSORS, AND ASSOCIATED WIRING. THIS SYSTEM IS UNDULY SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS, SUCH AS CONTACTING LARGE POTHOLES OR CURBS AT SUB…

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.

NHTSA Campaign #99V063001 · 15/11/1999

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Common problems & what to inspect

Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW M3, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.

💥 3 involved a crash 🚑 2 reported injuries

Air Bags 5 reports

🔍 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.

Service Brakes 2 reports

🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

Hydraulic 2 reports

🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Tires 2 reports

🔍 Check tread depth, the DOT age date, and that all four tires match with even wear. Look for bulges or cracks.

Steering 1 report

🔍 Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

Structure 1 report

🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

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 11

Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 1999 BMW M3.

AIR BAGS

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON. DIAGNOSIS: PASSENGER AIR BAG ELECTRONICS ARE FAULTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $500 PER DEALER. BMW SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THEY DO NOT SHOW THIS WITH MY VIN. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680819

STEERING,AIR BAGS

THE MATERIAL USED ON THE BMW STEERING WHEEL MELTS AT THE TOUCH OF SUNLIGHT- DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A HOT TEMPERATURE. THE MELTING OF THE STEERING WHEEL RESTRICTS ME FROM USING THE HORN AND COULD VERY WELL HAVE AFFECTED THE AIRBAG AND/OR DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. ALSO, IT'S STICKY, MY FINGERPRINTS AND SLEEVE FROM MY SHIRT ARE IMPRINTED ON THE STEERING WHEEL...MY …

NHTSA ODI #10650645

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,STRUCTURE

THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE GAS PEDAL IS TOO CLOSE AND POSES A DANGER WHEN MOVING FROM THE GAS PEDAL TO THE BRAKE. YOUR FOOT CAN BECOME ENTANGLED UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Crash · NHTSA ODI #10322398

TIRES

TL * - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW M3. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON JANUARY 21, 2007, WITH 2 BALD REAR TIRES. THE DEALER HAS NOT AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. BRIDGESTONE, POTENZA , DOT # EMH8CKA. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE SIZE WAS 18. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, HE RECEIVED A CITATION FOR HAVING BALD TIRES, AND WA…

NHTSA ODI #10181344

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE OIL. THE OIL WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED AN OIL PAN NUT FELL OFF INTO THE OIL PAN CAUSING AN OIL PUMP FAILURE WHICH BURN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THRE…

NHTSA ODI #10148358

AIR BAGS

1999 BMW M3 CONVERTIBLE. AIRBAG LIGHT COME UP WITH NO REASON; POTENTIALLY, AIRBIG WON'T DEPLOY IF ANY ACCIDENT HAPPEN. VIN [XXX]. UPDATED 07/30/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10065963

POWER TRAIN

THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION ON MY BMW M3 HAS A DEFECT. IT INVOLVES THE TRANSMISSION STICKING IN 5TH GEAR, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, BECAUSE IT COMPROMISES CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN SHIFTING, LEAVING THE OPERATOR WTIHOUT FULL CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN 1999 M3S AND MANY CUSTOMERS ARE EXPERIENCING…

NHTSA ODI #10053191

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING 70MPH THE VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE STARTED TO DEFLATE DUE TO A PUNCTURE AND THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. NLM. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED DUE TO THE TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE SIDE WALL. TIRE SIZE 245/40ZR17, CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TIRE WAS REMOVED THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A PUNCTURE. *YH

NHTSA ODI #8004009

+ 3 more complaints on record.