1990 BMW E46

Recalls

1 recall names the 1990 BMW E46. Newest first.

• Exterior lighting

  May 15, 2006NHTSA 06E0400001,648 vehiclesEquipment

  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 to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

  Risk and remedy

  Risk

  Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.

  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.

  Full recall details →

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Air bags1
2. Electrical system1
3. Engine and engine cooling1
4. Tires1

Latest complaints

• Nov 13, 2007GA149,700 mi
  Tires › Sidewall
  Turning into a fast-food parking lot (about a 130 degree right turn), the left front tire struck a short (2" - 3") curb at about 3 - 5 mph. the sidewall, midway between the tread and the wheel rim blew out. a jagged "l" shaped breach section about 3" in total length was clearly evident. the…

  Turning into a fast-food parking lot (about a 130 degree right turn), the left front tire struck a short (2" - 3") curb at about 3 - 5 mph. the sidewall, midway between the tread and the wheel rim blew out. a jagged "l" shaped breach section about 3" in total length was clearly evident. the edges of the tear were forced outward from the inside. the impact was so minor that even after immediately deflating there was no damage to the wheel rim. *tr

• Apr 17, 2007KY213,000 miFire
  Air bags · Electrical system · Engine and engine cooling
  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. Got to car inside was filled with smoke and the windows had water on the inside of them and the drivers airbag…

  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. Got to car inside was filled with smoke and the windows had water on the inside of them and the drivers airbag had triggered. Fire department on the site said it appears that the heater core/system had exploded shorting out drivers side panel and electronics starting the fire. Daughter was lucky to escape since the door locks locked and no way to open them since power dead. Extensive damage to dash and wiring ,smoke damage etc. Contacted BMW by e mail told to call local dealer who said bring car in and we will look at it. I have no money to send the car to dealer for their faulty product which could have killed my 18 year old daughter,they have a problem which needs addressed. *jb

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 10245363When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customers key, the data is not updated or current.
• 10200242Moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights

Every BMW E46 model year

Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.