Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1993 BMW E46 peaked in 2006, with 2 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1993 BMW E46
Coupe, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Jun 13, 2006 to Oct 4, 2007.
Recall campaigns covering this model year11,648 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints3Below the median 1993 coupe
Severity index33.31993 coupes average 15.0
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
67% of complaints about the 1993 BMW E46 name seats
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 1993 BMW E46
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06E-040 | May 15, 2006 | Certain e speed racing combination lamps sold as replacement equipment for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above | Lighting | 1,648 | Refund or buyback |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1993 BMW E46
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
3 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Oct 4, 2007Failure Dec 1, 2006125,000 milesCollege Station, TXSeats
FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE TWISTED. SEAT BACKS ARE SEVERELY TWISTED. THEREFORE I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN DRIVING. I COULD FIND MANY CASES SAME AS MINE IN THE WEBSITE. I THINK THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN 93-94 BMW 740I. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10204833 - Filed Dec 18, 2006Failure Nov 1, 2006217,000 milesHaddock, GAGasoline
TL*- THE CONTACT SMELLS GAS COMING FROM HER ENGINE ON HER 1993 525I. THE CONTACT STATES THAT WHEN SHE CRANKS HER VEHICLE ON SHE CAN SMELL THE GAS. THE SMELL GETS WORSE WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. SHE STATES THAT SHE SMELLS THE GAS WHILE SHE IS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CITY OR WHILE VEHICLE IS PARKED. THE FIRST TIME CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SECOND TIME WHERE THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED. THEY ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATES THAT SHE CAN PROVIDE A COPY OF THE REPAIR ORDER IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint 10176394 - Filed Jun 13, 2006Failure Jun 7, 2006106,000 milesEast Brunswick, NJElectrical system, Seat heater/coolerFire
I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SEAT STARTED TO CATCH FIRE. I PANICKED. I HOPPED OUT AND HAD TO SUFFOCATE THE FIRE OUT BY CLOSING THE WINDOWS. I TOOK IT TO BMW AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, I FELT LIKE THEY DIDN'T REALLY TRY, SO I LEFT THE CAR IN THE PARKING LOT FOR NOW BECAUSE THEY SAID THE DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE TOTALED MY CAR. *JB
NHTSA complaint 10159770
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
2 manufacturer communications cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- B000706 Nov 13, 2023 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customerâ™s key, the data is not updated or current. - B630516 Jun 1, 2021 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
Moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.