1999 BMW E46 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
2
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
7
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1999 BMW E46
The 1999 BMW E46 has received a total of 2 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 7 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problem area is the Exterior Lighting (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1999 BMW E46
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1999 BMW E46, potentially affecting up to 133,308 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 27,176 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
View full details →Recall 06E040000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 1,648 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1999 BMW E46
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1999 BMW E46. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingtail Lights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW E46. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT WAS ONLY FOR MODEL YEARS 2001-2003. UPDATED 02/08/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 BMW E46. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TAIL LIGHT WIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT WAS ONLY FOR MODEL YEARS 2001-2003. UPDATED 02/08/12
Safety Rating for the 1999 BMW E46
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1999 BMW E46 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1999 BMW E46
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 7 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1999 BMW E46. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
720700 — AIR BAGS
SUBJECT REGARDING MRS 3 SATELLITE SENSORS REPLACEMENT FOR SIDE AIRBAG ON SEDANS MANUFACTURED FROM 09/99 UP TO 11/99 AND COUPES MANUFACTURED UP TO 11/99. *TT
720600 — AIR BAGS
SUBJECT REGARDING HPS (HEAD PROTECTION SYSTEM) AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ON SEDANS PRODUCED UP TO 9/99. *TT
840700 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
SUBJECT REGARDING THE BMW COLOR ACCESSORY NAVIGATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED UP TO 9/99. *TT
510100 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
INFORMATION REGARDING CREAKING, SQUEAKING, CLICKING NOISES FROM WINDOW REGULATOR INSTALLED ON SEDANS PRODUCED PRIOR TO 2/00. **MR
160200 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
SUBJECT REGARDING DISTRIBUTOR PIECE / FUEL TANK FILLER PIPE REPLACEMENT ON CONVERTIBLES PRODUCED IN 11/99. *TT
040600 — EQUIPMENT
INFORMATION REGARDING THE DSC III TEST CABLE. *TT
510399 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
SUBJECT REGARDING MEMORY MIRRORS ON VEHICLES (FROM 9/99 PRODUCTION) FITTED WITH THE SEAT MEMORY OPTION. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1999 BMW E46
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW E46
- 1994 BMW E46 — 3 complaints
- 1995 BMW E46 — 6 complaints
- 1996 BMW E46 — 1 complaint
- 1997 BMW E46 — 4 complaints
- 1998 BMW E46 — 0 complaints
- 1999 BMW E46 (current)
- 2000 BMW E46 — 19 complaints
- 2001 BMW E46 — 0 complaints
- 2002 BMW E46 — 2 complaints
- 2003 BMW E46 — 1 complaint
- 2004 BMW E46 — 5 complaints