2004 BMW E46 recalls and problems

There are no safety recalls for the 2004 BMW E46, but owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA.

Recalls

Complaints

Crashes / fires

0 / 0

Injuries / deaths

0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 BMW E46 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 BMW E46 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Exterior Lighting	2
Electrical System	1
Visibility/Wiper	1
Air Bags	1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 131,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 BMW E46 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · at 131,000 miles · reported Jun 10, 2016

Airbag deployed when hitting pot hole at around 30mph. This is an issue with many e46's that the airbag is too sensitive.

Exterior Lighting · at 77,000 miles · reported Feb 16, 2012

Factory bi-xenon headlights gradually dimmed. By 77k miles the light output was too dim to safely drive at night. Compared to a new model at dealer with xenon lights and found very noticeable difference. Mechanic analysis found metallized plastic reflectors on xenon bulbs had burned and lost their reflectivity. Replacement reflectors are not sold as service parts by bmw, so remedy involves complete replacement of headlight assembly.

Electrical System · at 80,000 miles · reported Jan 17, 2012

I received a letter from bmw ststing there was now a recall for the bad ground wire on the rear taillight assembly that caused the metling of the connector. I had already spent $400 for the fix, now they recall the part. Bmw north america took too long to do this, and I AM going into the delaership to see about getting a refund for the service I paid for that they would not cover.

Other BMW E46 years

20042000

Compare all BMW E46 years · All BMW models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 BMW E46 have any recalls?

No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2004 BMW E46 as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 BMW E46?

Owners report exterior lighting problems most often (2 reports), followed by electrical system (1). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 131,000 miles.

Are BMW recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized BMW dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.