Complaints over time
Complaints about the 2003 BMW E46 peaked in 2010, 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
2003 BMW E46
Sedan, gasoline, built in Germany. Owner complaints on file from Sep 25, 2010 to Sep 25, 2010.
Recall campaigns covering this model year143k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints1Below the median 2003 sedan
Severity index0.02003 sedans average 11.6
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
100% of complaints about the 2003 BMW E46 name lighting
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 2003 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09E-025 | May 11, 2009 | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated… | Lighting | 42,540 | Refund or buyback |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 2003 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 Sep 25, 2010Failure Aug 10, 200890,127 milesLouisville, KYExterior lighting
PLEASE LET THIS NOTICE SERVE AS A FORMAL PETITION FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF A SAFETY-RELATED DESIGN DEFECT. THE REAR TAIL LIGHT BULBS AREN'T WORKING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE GROUND WIRE IN THE CONNECTOR, CONNECTING TO THE BULB CARRIER SEEMS TO BE DAMAGED DUE TO A BAD GROUND. I HAVE BEEN REPLACING BULBS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10357440
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
2 NHTSA investigations on file
- EA09019 Engineering analysis, Lighting
Rear Lamp Illumination
Opened Dec 18, 2009, closed Sep 28, 2011 · led to a recall - PE09036 Preliminary evaluation, Lighting
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
Opened Aug 7, 2009, closed Dec 22, 2009 · led to a recall
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
5 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… - SI-B12-22-08 Oct 1, 2009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
BMW: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL 08E-A03; M3 S54-DME REPROGRAMMING FOR CATALYST CONVERSION DIAGNOSIS. THE DME PROGRAMMING, AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, MAY CAUSE THE OBD DIAGNOSTIC TO ERRONEOUSLY EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. *PE
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.