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.
The worst 1999 BMW M3 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Airbags5
- Brakes2
- Tires2
- Body1
- Engine1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Airbags5
- Brakes2
- Tires2
- Body1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls 1
Air bags: side/window
- What is wrong
- 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 substantial speed.
- Risk
- This could cause the side air bag to deploy without an actual side crash. In addition, the battery safety terminal (bst) could also activate, disconnecting the starter cable from the battery. In this case, the vehicle's electrical system could continue to operate and the engine would continue to run, but after stopping, could not be restarted.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the central computer control module that regulates the performance of all of the vehicle's occupant protection systems.
Recall number 99V063001 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1999 BMW M3
Defect investigations
Inadvertant side airbag deployment
On march 26, 1999, bmw of north american, inc. Recalled 32,500 1999 323i and 328i manufactured up to april 1999, for inadvertent deployment of the side airbag system in certain non-crash impacts such as contacting large pot holes or curbs at substantial speed.as a remedy, bmw will recode the air bag control module of the affected vehicles with updated software.the recall was a result of an odi safety defect investigation. Odi received 1 consumer complaint of a 1999 model year m3 alleging the driver side door airbag deployed without side impact to the vehicle causing one injury.the complainant's m3 uses the samechassis as the 3-series and was built in march 1999. The purpose of this rq is to determine the adequacy of the scope of the recall.closing note: bmw has decided to conduct a safety recall campaign under safety recall number 99v‑063.001.
RQ99018
Technical service bulletins for the 1999 BMW M3 4
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop
- Bmw: a grinding noise is coming from the differential during slow cornering. when turning a slip/stick...
- Bmw: thermostat housing inspection. the retaining springs of the thermostat housing quick release...
- Customer may complain of engine running rough on cold start. tt
1999 BMW M3 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 24 | 20 |
What 1999 BMW M3 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 long hair has been stuck on it. I'm afraid to touch the wheel- it nearly drips. What is this material? What's going on? Nothing was put on the steering wheel to cause this. This car is not under any warranty; however, this is a very, very dangerous defect that should not happen in any car, at any time. I don't know what material bmw used on the steering wheel, but I cannot drive the car until it's fixed...
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.
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 was told it was against the law to sell a vehicle with bald tires for safety reasons.
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 three days prior to this incident for regular maintenance, including an oil change. Updated 02/21/06.
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)
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 a problem with this. Bmws fix is to replace the transmission, which is very expensive.
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.
Sept 00 ABS dash light on, took to dealer for repair, parts ordered, continued to drive with light on, repaired oct 00, ABS dash light again on, took to dealer, told the ABS was repaired-ABS light on due to gas cap, may 2001 car out of control as if wheels locked, narrowly missed going in canal and hitting oncoming vehicles, service shop diagnosed ABS failure
Impact was on the front driverside tire. The tire suffered minor damage and no other damage to body
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Questions about the 1999 BMW M3
Is the 1999 BMW M3 reliable?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 1999 BMW M3, fewer than a typical M3 model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1999 BMW M3?
Airbags, with 5 complaints. Next is brakes (2).
How many recalls does the 1999 BMW M3 have?
1 recall, covering air bags.
Was there a recall on the 1999 BMW M3 airbags?
Yes, 1 recall: 99V063001. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What gas mileage does the 1999 BMW M3 get?
Official estimates for the 1999 BMW M3 range from 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 24 highway.
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