MYRModel Year Report

1990 BMW E46

○ Not enough data
1990 BMW E46
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:23:35.016Z

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW E46 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1990 highlighted. 1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 3 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 1 complaints 1996 1997: 4 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaints 2000: 18 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaints 2004: 4 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2005
1990: 2 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19902
19910
19920
19933
19943
19956
19961
19974
19980
19991
200018
20010
20022
20031
20044
20050

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 2 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

TIRES

1 of 2 total reports mentions: tires.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 of 2 total reports mentions: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DAUGHTER DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 1990 BMW 735I CALLED ME ON CELL PHONE SAID SMELLED HOT WATER AND SOMETHING BURNING. TOLD HER TO PULL OVER AND PARK CAR I WAS ON THE WAY EARLY MORNING COLD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070417

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 of 2 total reports mentions: electrical system.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DAUGHTER DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 1990 BMW 735I CALLED ME ON CELL PHONE SAID SMELLED HOT WATER AND SOMETHING BURNING. TOLD HER TO PULL OVER AND PARK CAR I WAS ON THE WAY EARLY MORNING COLD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070417

AIR BAGS

1 of 2 total reports mentions: air bags.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

DAUGHTER DRIVING TO WORK IN MY 1990 BMW 735I CALLED ME ON CELL PHONE SAID SMELLED HOT WATER AND SOMETHING BURNING. TOLD HER TO PULL OVER AND PARK CAR I WAS ON THE WAY EARLY MORNING COLD.

NHTSA ODI report, 20070417

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060510 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN E SPEED RACING COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL

Remedy: E SPEED RACING WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT E SPEED RACING 909-923-3636.

Campaign 06E040000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1990 BMW E46 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for tires issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E040000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1990 BMW E46 reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 1990 BMW E46?

The most-reported component is tires:sidewall, accounting for 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1990 BMW E46 have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.