MYRModel Year Report

1996 BMW E46

○ Not enough data
1996 BMW E46
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:33:29.919Z

Only 1 complaint 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 1 complaint on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1

Too few to rank

Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 1996

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 3 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1996: 1 complaint 1996 1 1997: 4 complaints 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaint 2000: 18 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2004: 4 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints
1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1995 1996: 1 complaint 1996 1 1997: 4 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaint 1999 2000: 18 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2001 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 4 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2005
1990: 2 complaints 1990 1991: 0 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1992 1993: 3 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1994 1995: 6 complaints 1995 1996: 1 complaint 1996 1 1997: 4 complaints 1997 1998: 0 complaints 1998 1999: 1 complaint 1999 2000: 18 complaints 2000 2001: 0 complaints 2001 2002: 2 complaints 2002 2003: 1 complaint 2003 2004: 4 complaints 2004 2005: 0 complaints 2005

1996: 1 complaint

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 1 complaint on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Fuel system, gasoline

1 of 1 total report mentions: fuel system, gasoline.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2007-05-21

Safety timeline

1 recall · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2006-05-10Exterior lighting06E040000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

1996 BMW E46 — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 1 report on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E040000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 1996 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 1996 BMW E46?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 100% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1996 BMW E46 have?
1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.