1997 BMW E46 Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1997 BMW E46 recalls

No safety recalls on file for the 1997 BMW E46.

Most common 1997 BMW E46 problems

Problem areas named in the 4 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Air Bags	1
Structure	1
Engine And Engine Cooling	1
Seats	1

What owners report

2007-05-28, Seats
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS SLIDE (DO NOT LOCK IN POSITION). THIS IS IRRITATING AND UNSAFE IN MY OPINION. I ALSO BELIEVE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

2007-02-21, Engine And Engine Cooling
ON 1/31/07 I TOOK MY CAR TO HAVE THE NC INSPECTION DONE. I WAS GIVEN AT THAT TIME A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. I WAS TOLD TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND GIVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER TO VERIFY. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN CAMPAIGNS ON MY VIN NUMBER ON 2/2/0. ON 2/16/07 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. I CALLED MY REPAIR SHOP AND DROPPED THE CAR OFF ON MONDAY. I WAS INFORMED TODAY THAT IT WAS NOT THE O2 SENSOR, BUT POSSIBLY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS GOING TO COST ALOT OF MONEY. I LOVE MY CAR, BUT IF THIS WAS A RECALL I DON'T FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT TO BE FIXED. *NM

2007-01-03, Structure
I OWN A 2000 BMW 323I AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO I HAD STARTED TO NOTICE A FAINT SQUEAKING SOUND FROM THE REAR WHEN MY CAR WAS MOVING, THE SQUEAKING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE AND WORSE UNTIL THE SOUND WAS SO SEVERE THAT IT COULD BE HEARD EVEN WITH ALL THE WINDOWS UP. I TOOK IT IN TO A MECHANIC WHO IDENTIFIED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS INDEED THAT SUB FRAME SEPARATING FROM THE BODY. AS I FURTHER INVESTIGATED THIS ISSUE, I FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO THE STERLING BMW NEWPORT BEACH COLLISION CENTER WHERE THEY TOLD THAT MY FRAME WAS SEPARATED FROM THE SUB FRAME AND THAT BMW SHOULD AND MOST LIKELY WOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SUBSTANTIAL SAFETY HAZARD

2006-09-22, Air Bags
ON WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2006 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70-75 MPH WHEN MY SIDE AIRBAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I HAVE A 1997 BMW 528I WITH APPROXIMATELY 230K MILES. I DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYING. I DID NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. I COULD NOT HEAR WELL FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND MY LEFT ARM HAS A LARGE BRUISE ON IT. I TOOK IT BY THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WENT WRONG OR WHY THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE WHEN THE AIRBAG WENT OFF, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT E

1997 BMW E46 questions

Does the 1997 BMW E46 have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls on file for the 1997 BMW E46 at this time.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW E46?

Based on 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Air Bags (1), Structure (1), Engine And Engine Cooling (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 1997 BMW E46 has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.