BMW E46 recalls & problems by year
27 recalls and 45 owner complaints across 16 model years (1990–2005).
Most complaints200018 complaints
Most recalls20014 recalls
Crashes reported0in owner complaints
Injuries reported10 deaths
| Year | NHTSA stars | EPA mpg | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | — | — | 1 | 4 |
| 2003 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | — | — | 2 | 2 |
| 2001 | — | — | 4 | 0 |
| 2000 | — | — | 4 | 18 |
| 1999 | — | — | 4 | 1 |
| 1998 | — | — | 2 | 0 |
| 1997 | — | — | 1 | 4 |
| 1996 | — | — | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | — | — | 1 | 6 |
| 1994 | — | — | 1 | 3 |
| 1993 | — | — | 1 | 3 |
| 1992 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 1990 | — | — | 1 | 2 |
Crash, fire, injury and death figures are what owners reported in their complaints; NHTSA does not verify them. A year with more complaints is not necessarily worse: newer and best-selling years collect more reports.
Most-reported problem areas, all years
- Structure — 9 complaints
- Exterior lighting — 8 complaints
- Electrical system — 7 complaints
- Engine and engine cooling — 7 complaints
- Power train — 6 complaints
- Air bags — 3 complaints
- Seats — 3 complaints
- Tires — 2 complaints