The airbag fault light came on in our 1998 BMW Z3 (with less than 16,000 miles on the odometer), indicating the airbag (or airbags) and seat belt tensioners were no longer functioning. The dealer service representative said this was "a common problem" with this model and told us exactly what most likely cause of the problem prior to any diagnostics'that there was a fault in the seatbelt latch and wiring that caused 'high resistance'. the cost of repairs was $825. A google search shows this same problem is essentially ubiquitous. I searched for 'BMW Z3 airbag light on', and I got nearly 40,000 hits. Looking randomly at some of these hits, I find each contains multiple actual instances of this problem occurring. For example, the first result returned (www.automotiveforums.com/T145936-Z3_airbag_sensors.html) indicated at least 6 vehicles with this exact same problem. Thus, I would estimate from the google search that this problem has affected 100,000+ vehicles just counting those posted on the internet'plus all of those that are not posted on the internet. The BMW Z3 was a low volume vehicle, so it would appear this significant safety defect affects a very large percentage of these vehicles. Aside from the financial burden of owners repairing this very dangerous defect, I suspect many owners simply choose not to have the potentially deadly safety defect repaired due to the cost of the repairs. BMW should be required to correct their design defect and reimburse owners who have incurred perhaps $100,000,000 in repairs for this severe and deadly defect.

- Saratoga, CA, USA

1998 BMW Z3 roadster - there was a spontaneous deployment of both driver and passenger side air bags. While driving on a dry rough road the air bags deployed, consumer did not come in contact with anything, and was driving only about 5 mph when the air bags deployed. Was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to a dealership, and they say that an impact with a pot hole caused air bag deployment. Consumer claimed he did not hit a pot hole hard enough to cause this deployment. The dealership did not check the sensors to see if there was a problem with the air bags. There was no recall on the air bag defect on this model. However there was a recall on air bags in other BMW models.

- Portland, OR, USA

1998 BMW Z3, 1.9. SRS (airbag light) constantly coming on ever since I bought it! I had it fixed 3 times already at the dealership supposedly under waranty but still costing me atleast 100 dollars R "diagnostic fees". it came on again and I give up.its been on for about 6 months now. Why bother getting it fixed if it will just come on again! I am going to try buying the diagnostic tool myself and seeing if I can handle it myself.

- Eglin Afb, FL, USA

While driving air bag warning light would come on. Consumer has contacted the dealer.

- Appomattox, VA, USA

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.

- Panama City, FL, USA