Model year

2000 BMW E46

Coupe, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Apr 30, 2003 to Jan 19, 2009.

Recall campaigns covering this model year4133k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints18Close to the median 2000 coupe
Severity index0.02000 coupes average 14.8
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Complaints over time

Complaints about the 2000 BMW E46 peaked in 2006, with 5 filed

Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.

02462003200552007200920112013201520172019202120232026
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Components

44% of complaints about the 2000 BMW E46 name structure

Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.

Structure
8
Powertrain
5
Engine and cooling
2
Lighting
2
Electrical system
1
Suspension
1
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls

4 recall campaigns cover the 2000 BMW E46

Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.

Recall campaigns for the 2000 BMW E46
CampaignFiledSubjectComponentVehiclesRemedy
09E-025May 11, 2009These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated…Lighting42,540Refund or buyback
06E-049May 24, 2006Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger…Lighting27,176Part replacement
06E-040May 15, 2006Certain e speed racing combination lamps sold as replacement equipment for use on certain passenger vehicles listed aboveLighting1,648Refund or buyback
06E-026Mar 23, 2006Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed aboveLighting61,944Refund or buyback
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints

What owners reported about the 2000 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.

18 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.

  1. Filed Jan 19, 2009Failure Jan 13, 2009LOS Angeles, CAElectrical system, Exterior lighting

    THE REAR TAILLIGHTS ON MY CAR HAVE BURNT OUT. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BULBS. BUT WHEN I WENT TO CHECK, THE BROWN WIRE ON BOTH OF MY TAILLIGHTS COMPLETELY BURNED AND ALSO BURNED ENTIRELY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE HARNESS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10255568
  2. Filed Jan 6, 2009Failure Jan 2, 200972,000 milesLancs, 00Automatic transmission

    BMW 330I AUTO REVERSE GEAR FAILURE GEAR BOX MODEL ZF5HP19 YEAR 2000 W REG. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10253980
  3. Filed Jun 13, 2008Failure Jun 3, 2008114,000 milesPort Richey, FLAutomatic transmission

    2000 BMW 323I WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE. CALLED BMW NA THEIR RESPONSE " THIS IS NO BMW PROBLEM. I WROTE THE PRESIDENT OF BMW AND YOU SHOULD DO THIS AS WELL HERE IS THE INFO YOU NEED. PRESIDENT JOSEP KERSCHER ADDRESS: BMW OF NORTH AMERICA 300 CHESTNUT RIDGE RD. WOODCLIFF LAKE, NJ 07677. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10230912
  4. Filed Jan 18, 2008Failure Jan 17, 2008109,520 milesSAN Diego, CAAutomatic transmission

    WITHOUT WARNING, REVERSE GEAR STOPPED WORKING, ACTS AS IF IN NEUTRAL. ALL OTHER GEARS WORKING WELL. INTEND TO REPAIR AND SAVE RECEIPTS AND OLD PARTS. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10215376
  5. Filed Oct 15, 2007Failure Sep 24, 200751,000 milesMiami, FLUnderbody shields

    THE PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 323 CI BMW IS, THE REAR MOUNTING POINTS FOR THE SUBFRAME HAVE RIPPED OUT FROM THEIR SPOTS IN THE SHEET METAL BECAUSE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL TRANSMITS THE TORSIONAL LOAD FROM THE ENGINE THROUGH THE SUBFRAME, THEN INTO THE CHASSIS. THE CONSTANT LOADING AND UNLOADING WEAKENS THE INSUFFICIENT SHEET METAL, CAUSING IT TO FATIGUE AND SEPARATE FROM THE CHASSIS. THIS FAILURE OF THE CHASSIS THREATENS THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE COST TO FIX THIS DEFECT IS AROUND $9,000. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10205743
  6. Filed Jul 23, 2007Failure Jul 21, 200765,000 milesST. Louis, MOAutomatic transmission

    TRANSMISSION ON A BMW 323CI (2000) SUDDENLY FAILED. IT WILL NO LONGER GO INTO REVERSE. FORWARD SEEMS FINE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. THERE IS NO MAINTENANCE TO BE PERFORMED. CAR HAS 65XXX MILES. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10197258
  7. Filed Feb 6, 2007Failure Dec 15, 200681,518 milesApex, NCCooling system

    SINCE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE (2000 BMW 323I, VIN [XXX]), WE'VE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT AND NO ONE CAN FIX IT PROPERLY. IT'S LEFT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN STRANDED BECAUSE OF A KNOWN VANOS TIMING PROBLEM. AND NOW I'VE HAD TO HAVE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY REPLACED AT THE COST OF $7,300 BECAUSE OF ANOTHER KNOWN PROBLEM...THE CHEAP, PLASTIC COOLANT EXPANSION TANK THAT CRACKED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT TO COMPLETE FAILURE. THESE ARE A FEW OF THE KNOWN PROBLEM THAT BMW IS KEENLY AWARE OF. WHEN WILL SOMEONE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF VEHICLES MADE WITH INFERIOR COMPONENTS AND MAKE THEM RECALL THESE SUSPECTED PARTS? I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA! *NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint 10181739
  8. Filed Jan 18, 2007Failure Dec 21, 200684,000 milesSAN Diego, CAFrame and members

    I DRIVE A 2000 328CI BMW WITH 84,000 MILES ON IT. 1. IT HAS BEEN A DAILY DRIVER FOR 3 YEARS. 2. THE SUBFRAME HAS TORN BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. 3. BMW IS NOT RECOGNIZING THIS AS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT AND IS GIVING A HARD TIME COVERING THE FIX. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10179069
  9. Filed Dec 24, 2006Failure Dec 24, 200095,000 milesSioux Falls, SDFrame and members

    REAR SUBFRAME CRACKING FROM MOUNTING POINT ON DRIVERS SIDE. VERY UNSAFE, CREAKING CLUNKING NOISES FROM REAR OF VEHICLE DUE TO THIS. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10176886
  10. Filed Dec 2, 2006Failure Nov 20, 200676,000 milesVirginia Beach, VAFrame and members

    THIS CAR IS MY DAILY DRIVING CAR AND THAT IS ITS SOLE PURPOSE. THE REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT HAS BEGUN TO RIP OUT OF THE CAR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, BUT BMW HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND I AM AWAITING THEIR REPLY. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10174979
  11. Filed Oct 11, 2006Failure May 1, 200668,000 milesJersey City, NJFrame and members

    SUBFRAME DAMAGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT 68,000 MILES, CAN LEAD TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE DURING OPERATION. NO CORRECTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED, STILL WORKING WITH BMWNA TO STOP WITH THE "RUN AROUND" STORY. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10170593
  12. Filed Oct 8, 2006Failure Oct 1, 2006106,000 milesTipp City, OHStructure

    AT ABOUT 106K MILES I NOTICED A CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DIFFERENTIAL MOUNT HAS MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES AND SEPARATIONS AT THE POINT WHERE THE MOUNT IS WELDED TO THE UNIBODY. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINT. AT NORMAL INTERVALS. THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY 90% OF THE TIME AND THE REST IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS. IT IS A FAMILY CAR AND HAS HAD NO MODIFICATIONS PERIOD. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DANGEROUS AND REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. THE SUSPENSION SHOULD NEVER SEPERATE FROM THE BODY BECAUSE OF TORSIONAL FORCES FROM THE TRANS/DIFF. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. I IMPLORE THE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMEONE DIES !! *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10170218
  13. Filed Jul 27, 2006Failure Jul 27, 200673,000 milesFoster City, CAFrame and members

    AT APPROXIMATE 73,000 MILES I NOTICED A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM MY CAR, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND CRACKS IN THE SUBFRAME AROUND THE LEFT REAR BUSHING. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS CAR AND MODEL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SO FAR ARE SAYING IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10163758
  14. Filed Jun 24, 2005Failure Jun 20, 200588,000 milesNorthridge, CARear

    1) NORMAL STREET AND HIGHWAY DRIVING 2) REAR SUBFRAME FAILURE 3)CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED, REPLACED CROSS MEMBER

    NHTSA complaint 10126538
  15. Filed Jun 27, 2004Failure Jun 10, 200437,000 milesSAN Francisco, CAUnderbody shields

    MY BMW 328CI YEAR 2000 HAS A FACTORY DEFECT AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. SEPERATION OF REAR UNDER CHASIS, MY CAR IS IN THE DEALER NOW AT BMW SAN FRANCISCO AND THEY TOLD ME THAT BMW NORTH AMERICA DOES NOT WANT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND THEY ARE CHARGING ME $22000 FOR REPAIR. THE CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS IN AUGUST AND ITS ONLY 37K MILES ON IT. I TALKED TO THE BODY SHOP OF BMW SAN FRANCISCO AND THEY SHOWED ME 3 CARS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM . A $45K CAR EASY TO SEPERATED THE UNDERCHASIS AND SO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I HOPE YOU TAKE A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK ON THIS PROBLEM. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10078873
  16. Filed Mar 31, 2004Failure Mar 31, 2004Hilliard, OHEngine and engine cooling

    2000 BMW 328CI STALLS EVERY NOW AND THEN AND WHEN I RESTART IT I FEEL A POWER LOSS. COMES AND GOES. VERY PESKY PROBLEM, MAKES YOU FEEL SCARED YOU MIGHT GET STRANDED. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10064280
  17. Filed Sep 1, 2003Failure Aug 29, 200352,890 milesNewark, NJAutomatic transmission

    VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM DEALER. VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE IN REVERSE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 4YR 50,000 MILES WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS AROUND 53,000 MILES. THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10037019
  18. Filed Apr 30, 2003Failure Apr 29, 200350,074 milesBloomington, INTurn signal

    RIGHT FRONT TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY HELD IN PLACE INSIDE THE FENDER BY ONLY ONE THIN PLASTIC FINGER. THE FINGER SNAPPED OFF THE TURN SIGNAL HOUSING, ALLOWING THE ENTIRE TURN SIGNAL ASSEMBLY TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10016799
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations

NHTSA has not opened an investigation on this model year

Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins

26 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
  • SIB-63-02-01 Aug 1, 2010 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW: PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING AND REPLACING INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS UNDER WARRANTY. *RM
  • SIB-16-02-09 Dec 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    BMW VEHICLES: FUEL LEVEL SENSOR REPAIRS. WHERE IT IS NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE RIGHT OR THE LEFT SIDE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR DUE TO A FAILURE, THE ENTIRE PUMP AND HOUSING OR DELIVERY UNIT (SUCTION JET ASSEMBLY) DO NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. IN SOME CASES…
  • 000403 Feb 1, 2004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    VERMONT STATE MERCURY CONTENT LABEL LAW. 2000 6 SERIES, X3 AND Z4 MODELS ALSO INCLUDED. *TT
  • 230702 Jul 23, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING INTERMITTENT ACCELERATOR PEDAL FEEL PROBLEM - REVISED WITH SIMPLIFIED ORDERING PROCEDURE FOR CERTAIN MODELS INCLUDING E65/E66 SINCE SERIES INTRODUCTION UP TO 06/02. *TT
  • SIB110901 May 1, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 02E-A01 RELATING TO THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSE. *TT
  • 350102 Jul 1, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING INTERMITTENT ACCELERATOR PEDAL FEEL PROBLEM FOR CERTAIN MODELS ESPECIALLY THE E65/E66 MODELS. *TT
  • SIB350102 Jul 1, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL FEELINGNOTCHY OR NOT MOVING SMOOTHLY WHEN DEPRESSED IN SMALL INCREMENTS ON CERTAIN MODELS INCLUDING E52, E53 AND E65/E66 VEHICLES FROM SERIES INTRODUCTION UP TO 06/02. *T
  • SIB240402 May 1, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING HARSH SHIFT COMPLAINTS. *TT
  • SIB240202 Apr 1, 2002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING HARD SHIFTS, LEAK AT TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL. *TT
  • 340801 Oct 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    CONCERNS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATING WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BEFORE 9/2000. *TT
  • 240998 Dec 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    EXPERIENCING A CLUNK NOISE HEARD/FELT DURING SITUATIONS OF LOAD REVERSAL. *TT
  • 240200 Dec 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF HARD OR NO SHIFT AND GEAR ERROR FAULT CODES 50, 52, 53, OR 55 IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. *TT
  • 240500 Dec 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT ERRATIC/HARSH SHIFTING AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED AND NO START/NO CRANK CONDITION. *TT
  • 610201 Oct 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN OF HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS AND IDLE SPEED FLUCTUATIONS WHEN BOTH SEAT HEATING ELEMENTS ARE TURNED ON. *TT
  • 640698 Jul 26, 2004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INTERMITTENT IHKA BLOWER OPERATION. *TT
  • 640801 Oct 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SUBJECT REGARDING INCORRECT AIR DISTRIBUTION FROM CENTER VENTS. *JG
  • 110501 Sep 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SERVICE ACTION NO 01E-A03 TO INSTALL CORRECT VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION LABEL. *TT
  • 610201 Jul 1, 2001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF HEADLIGHT BRIGHTNESS AND IDLE SPEED FLUCTUATIONS WHEN BOTH SEAT HEATING ELEMENTS ARE TURNED ON. *TT
  • 121599 Nov 1, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL 00E-AO1 - FAULT ACCESS / O2 READINESS CODES. BMW HAS DETERMINED THAT DUE TO AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE ERROR, A COMMUNICATION CONFLICT EXISTS BETWEEN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. THIS…
  • 241100 Dec 1, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT UP-SHIFT, TRANSMISSION IS IN FAIL-SAFE, OR ENGINE WILL NOT CRANK / START. FC 60 AND / OR FC114 IS STORED IN THE TCM. *TT
  • 720800 Jul 1, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION ON RESPOSITION THE SEAT BELT TAB ON CERTAIN CONVERTIBLES. *TT
  • 110500 Jun 1, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    EXPERIENCING A BUZZING OR RATTLING NOISE HEARD COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TT
  • 510100 May 1, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    INFORMATION REGARDING CREAKING, SQUEAKING, CLICKING NOISES FROM WINDOW REGULATOR INSTALLED ON SEDANS PRODUCED PRIOR TO 2/00. **MR
  • 240200 Apr 1, 2000 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
    CUSTOMER COMPLAINT OF HARD OR NO SHIFT ALONG WITH GEAR ERROR FAULT CODES ON 1999 AND 2000 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. *TT
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.