Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1996 BMW E46 peaked in 2007, with 1 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
1996 BMW E46
Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from May 21, 2007 to May 21, 2007.
Recall campaigns covering this model year11,648 vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints1Below the median 1996 sedan
Severity index0.01996 sedans average 14.2
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
100% of complaints about the 1996 BMW E46 name fuel system
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 1996 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 1996 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.
1 complaint on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed May 21, 2007Failure May 21, 200439,000 milesSarasota, FLFuel system, Gasoline
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 BMW E46. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GAS IS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 41,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
NHTSA complaint 10191346
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.