1995 BMW E46 Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 180,376miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1995 BMW E46 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1995 BMW E46. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and fuel system (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 180,376 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling2 33%
- Electrical system1 17%
- Fuel system1 17%
- Tires1 17%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “In 1995 I purchased a Bmw 318ti. I have just learned that there had been three recalls on this Bmw model. I did not receive any of the recall notices. Not one notice from Bmw. The first recall had something to do with the heating and cooling system. The heater has not worked for 8 years and the A/C has problems also. Since learning of these recalls I really do not know what to do about these problems with my car.”
NHTSA complaint #10189610, filed 2007-05Electrical system: “Fault in the contacts on lighting. A continuing fault on the brake circuit causes the warning lights to come on at different intervals during the driving experience. After changing 4 set of rear tail light bulbs during the course of the year I had my mechanic clean the contacts. Within 3 months on cleaning, the fault light came on again. After a day or so the light went out and has not returned. This is an ongoing problem as my bulbs were changed 3 times last year on front and rear lights.”
NHTSA complaint #10168130, filed 2006-09, 205,233 milesTires: “On 8/13/07, I was traveling approximately 70 miles per hour on nc hwy 52 northbound (a 4 lane divided highway) when I had a sudden massive blow out of a michelin tire on the left rear of my vehicle, a 1995 Bmw 325 is. There was no warning. The tire was not low on air pressure and did not have any puncture as verified by the tire dealership owner. The tire is a michelin energy plus mxv4, size 205/60r15. It has the following lettering on it: DOT aptm w17x 2306. The dealer said that the 2306 indicates the week of manufacture. The tire had 12,000 miles on it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10199466, filed 2007-08, 160,753 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 160,753 and 200,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1995 BMW E46 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10245363Nov 13, 2023Equipment. When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customerâÃÂÃÂs key, the data is not updated or current.
- 10200242Jun 1, 2021Equipment, Exterior lighting. Moisture is visible on the inside of one or both headlights
Other model years of the BMW E46
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 18 | 74,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 6 | 180,376 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1995 BMW E46 have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1995 BMW E46 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1995 BMW E46 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 2 complaints (33% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 1995 BMW E46 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1995 BMW E46 reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 180,376 miles and the middle half falls between 160,753 and 200,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.