BMW E46
All Model Years — Complaints, Recalls & Reliability
BMW E46 Reliability Overview
The BMW E46 has been produced from 1990 to 2005. Over 16 model years, NHTSA has received 51 complaints and issued 27 recall campaigns for this model.
16
Model Years
51
Complaints
27
Recalls
1990–2005
Year Range
Complaints by Model Year
2005 BMW E46
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 1
No rating
2004 BMW E46
Complaints: 5
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: exterior-lighting
2003 BMW E46
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: exterior-lighting
2002 BMW E46
Complaints: 2
Recalls: 2
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
2001 BMW E46
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 4
No rating
2000 BMW E46
Complaints: 19
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: power-trainautomatic-transmission
1999 BMW E46
Complaints: 2
Recalls: 4
No rating
Top Issue: exterior-lighting
1998 BMW E46
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 2
No rating
1997 BMW E46
Complaints: 4
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: air-bagssidewindow
1996 BMW E46
Complaints: 1
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: fuel-system-gasoline
1995 BMW E46
Complaints: 6
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-systemwiringfuses-and-circuit-breakers
1994 BMW E46
Complaints: 3
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-systemignitionanti-theftcontrol-module
1993 BMW E46
Complaints: 4
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: electrical-system
1992 BMW E46
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 1
No rating
1991 BMW E46
Complaints: 0
Recalls: 1
No rating
1990 BMW E46
Complaints: 4
Recalls: 1
No rating
Top Issue: air-bags
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Rating | Top Issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0 | 1 | N/A | — |
| 2004 | 5 | 1 | N/A | exterior-lighting |
| 2003 | 1 | 1 | N/A | exterior-lighting |
| 2002 | 2 | 2 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 2001 | 0 | 4 | N/A | — |
| 2000 | 19 | 4 | N/A | power-trainautomatic-transmission |
| 1999 | 2 | 4 | N/A | exterior-lighting |
| 1998 | 0 | 2 | N/A | — |
| 1997 | 4 | 1 | N/A | air-bagssidewindow |
| 1996 | 1 | 1 | N/A | fuel-system-gasoline |
| 1995 | 6 | 1 | N/A | electrical-systemwiringfuses-and-circuit-breakers |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 | N/A | electrical-systemignitionanti-theftcontrol-module |
| 1993 | 4 | 1 | N/A | electrical-system |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 | N/A | — |
| 1991 | 0 | 1 | N/A | — |
| 1990 | 4 | 1 | N/A | air-bags |