1999 BMW 328I Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 98 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 1999 BMW 328I, 2% of the 98 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1999 Bmw 328I (e46) tail lights and brake lights regularly fail, cause false fault display warnings, turn signal bulbs burn out or flash at a high speed for a few seconds and then flash normally, and then burn out. This is an ongoing problem for this car. Nhtsa is investigating. There have been numerous reports of turn signal/brake light harnesses overheating, shorting out, and melting. When car was under warranty, Bmw told me there was nothing wrong, it was just bad bulbs. I hear Bmw is now charging $400. Per side to repair out of warranty cars. …”
NHTSA complaint #10409094, filed 2011-06, 25,000 miles“Consumer's vehicle experienced the same problem as mentioned in NHTSA recall 00v048000; the brake lamps in these vehicles are controlled by a switch activated by the movement of the brake pedal. This switch could fail internally, causing it to remain either in the brake lamps off position or in the brake lamps on position. Dealership indicated to the consumer this recall is only for the vehicle manufacturer's in 2000.”
NHTSA complaint #10089681, filed 2004-08Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 | 6% |
| 2014 | 11 | 7% |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 3% |
| 2011 | 19 | 3% |
| 2010 | 6 | 4% |
| 2009 | 8 | 4% |
| 2008 | 8 | 3% |
| 2007 | 13 | 3% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 10% |
Other parts of the 1999 BMW 328I
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 BMW 328I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology