BMW E46 problems
Owners have filed 51 complaints about the BMW E46 with NHTSA across model years 1990 to 2004. More of them are about the body & structure than anything else.
Every BMW E46 year, graded
The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.
| Year | Grade | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Median miles | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | — | 5 | 0 | 0 | 131,000 | Lights |
| 2003 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Lights |
| 2002 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | Electrical System |
| 2000 | — | 19 | 0 | 0 | 74,500 | Body & Structure |
| 1999 | — | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | Lights |
| 1997 | — | 4 | 0 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1996 | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | Fuel & Propulsion |
| 1995 | — | 6 | 0 | 0 | — | Engine & Cooling |
| 1994 | — | 3 | 0 | 0 | — | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 1993 | — | 4 | 0 | 2 | — | Seats |
| 1990 | — | 4 | 0 | 3 | — | Engine & Cooling |
What breaks on a BMW E46
Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.
Worst in 2000
Worst in 2000
Worst in 2000
Worst in 2000
Worst in 2000
Worst in 1997
Worst in 1995
Worst in 1993
Worst in 1995
Worst in 1995
Worst in 2000
Complaints filed over time
Every complaint about every BMW E46, by the month it reached NHTSA.
Compare the BMW E46
Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.