https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the BMW E36. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 03:28:58 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-654497 Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 BMW 325I IN DECEMBER 2007. TODAY (JANUARY 21, 2008), MY WIFE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND PARKED SAID VEHICLE IN HER REQUIRED PARKING SPACE. THAN ABOUT TWO HOURS LATER A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER CAME IN AND INFORMED HER THAT THE BMW STARTED BY ITSELF AND CRASHED INTO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR AND SOME HOW STARTED WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. THIS VEHI https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-653635 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT DELAY IN TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT (20-30 SECONDS) WHEN COLD. HAZARD ON HILL AND ENTERING TRAFFIC. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-646044 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT DOUBLE VANOS SYSTEM ON SEVERAL MODELS OF BMW FROM 1999 TO 2006, HAVE DEFECTIVE VANOS SYSTEMS. THE E39 DOUBLE VANOS (VARIABLE VALVE TIMING UNIT) HAS A MALFUNCTION PROBLEM. THIS DOUBLE VANOS CAN BE FOUND ON 6-CYL ENGINES M52TU, M54, AND M56, FOUND IN SEVERAL MODEL CARS, E39, E46, ETC, YEARS 99-03. THE MALFUNCTION SYMPTOMS ARE ALMOST ALL SUBTLE AND MOSTLY GO UNNOTICED. THEY INCLUDE LOWER GAS MILEAGE, https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-643076 Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT 2003 BMW 525I WITH 56K MILES. DRIVER SEAT HEATER WAS TURNED ON WHILE THE ENGINE WAS WARMING UP AND FEW SECONDS LATER, ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT STARTED SMOKING AND BURNING A WHOLE. THE ENGINE AND HEATER WAS TURNED OFF IMMEDIATELY WHICH PREVENTED THE FIRE FROM SPREADING. NOTIFIED BMW NORTH AMERICA AND DEALER AGREED WITH FULL SEAT REPLACEMENT. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-635862 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKING UP AND THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REINSTALL THE MOLDING. PRETTY BIZARRE FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-635863 Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BREAKING UP AND THE WHOLE WINDSHIELD HAS TO BE REMOVED TO REINSTALL THE MOLDING. PRETTY BIZARRE FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE CAR. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-635245 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 BMW S10 (NA). THE CONTACT PURCHASED AFTERMARKET CHROME RIMS ONLINE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE RIMS SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES AND SHATTERED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-634173 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT THERE IS A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM ON MANY BMW E46 MODELS (NEWER CARS). THE TAIL LIGHT HARNESS ON BOTH SIDES HAS WHAT SEEMS TO BE A FAULTY, INCOMPLETE, OR INSECURE GROUNDING WIRE AND THE RESULT IS THAT THE WIRE OVERHEATS AND CORRODES, AND IN SOME CASES ARCS, WHICH CAN IGNITE A FIRE. THE PROBLEM IS OFTEN IDENTIFIED BY INTERMITTENT OR PERSISTENT FAILURE OF THE REAR LIGHTS ON THE CAR AND/OR UNNE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-632763 Wed, 01 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT MY 2003 BMW 330I HAS 85K MILES AND IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, A "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED A PROBLEM AND INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER BECAUSE THE GASKET WAS LEAKING, HOWEVER, THE CAR WAS DRIVING JUST FINE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IF I DIDN'T REPLACE IT NOW THEN DOWN THE ROAD THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL AND NEED REPLACEMENT. https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-628773 Thu, 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 BMW E36. WHILE IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY EIGHT MONTHS LATER, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED TO 750. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-623930 Sat, 12 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT BMW 325XI 2002 BOUGHT USED IN MINT CONDITION WITH 60000 MILES DRIVETRAIN VIBRATION RELATED TO TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT BEARING. BMW INTERNATIONAL SAID THAT WAS TOO BAD, BUT NOT CONCERND AT THE FAILURE. EXPECTED AS THAT YEAR HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRANSFER CASE BEARINGS. *AK https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-621738 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT MY 2003 BMW 325I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF MY BMW REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 MPH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY BMW. IN FACT, THE INSURANCE CO. IS CONSIDERING A TOTAL LOSS AS WE SPEAK. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END EXCEEDS $18,000.00 TO INCLUDE SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT NEITHER THE FRONT AIR BAGS OR THE SEAT RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEPLOYED. T https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-621739 Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT MY 2003 BMW 325I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE DRIVER OF MY BMW REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX. 35 MPH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY BMW. IN FACT, THE INSURANCE CO. IS CONSIDERING A TOTAL LOSS AS WE SPEAK. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END EXCEEDS $18,000.00 TO INCLUDE SOME STRUCTURAL DAMAGE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT NEITHER THE FRONT AIR BAGS OR THE SEAT RESTRAINT SYSTEM DEPLOYED. T https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-621271 Sun, 22 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT I AM LEASING A 2002 BMW 745LI . I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR HAS GONE TO THE BMW SERVICE CENTER A TOTAL OF 33 TIMES FOR SERVICE MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. A FEW TIMES CAR HAS BROKEN DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THIS VEHICLE IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE IN THIS CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW OF NORTH AMERICA VIA PHONE, EMAILS, AND LETT https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-620733 Tue, 17 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT AFTER 100,000+ MILES OF NORMAL OPERATION THE 2002, BMW X5 4.4 BEGAN EXHIBITING UNUSUAL TRANSMISSION OPERATION. AT RANDOM TIMES, DURING START UP, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL, ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO REV VERY HIGH, THEN ENGAGE IN 1ST, CAUSING AN ABRUPT LURCH FORWARD. ALSO, IT WILL EXPERIENCE THIS DISENGAGEMENT SOMETIMES WHEN DOWN SHIFTING INTO PASSING GEAR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REV, AN https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-617988 Sat, 24 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT THE BMW X5 HAS A DEFECT. THE TAILGATE STOPPERS ROUTINELY FAILED ON BOTH THE ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SOFT CLOSE AND THE NORMAL MECHANICAL. THESE STOPPERS FAILED, CAUSING ERRONEOUS TAILGATE OPEN WARNINGS TO APPEAR ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. ALSO, BECAUSE THE STOPPERS FAILED THERE WAS A CONSTANT RATTLE. BMW KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM...AT LEAST THE LOCAL AGENTWAS QUITE AWARE OF THIS ROUTINE FAILURE.*A https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-615201 Fri, 02 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT ON MARCH 2ND 2007 AROUND 10:30AM I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 BMW M3 EAST BOUND ON INTERSTATE 40 FROM CHAPEL HILL NC TO RALEIGH NC. APPROACHING EXIT 292 MY REAR TIRE WHICH WAS A MICHELIN PILOT SPORT SIZE 255/35ZR RIPPED ON EACH SIDEWALL INNER AND OUTER. THE CENTER OF TIRE CAME COMPLETELY SEPARATED WHILE THE OUTER OF THE TIRE WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE INNER AND OUTER OF THE REAR LEFT TIRE. FROM WHAT I CA https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-608839 Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT ON HOT, HUMID DAYS, THE STEERING GETS "STICKY". BY THAT I MEAN THAT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT "STICKS" IN ONE SPOT. IT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. SMALL CORRECTIONS OF THE STEERING BECOME DIFFICULT. MANY TIMES, BECAUSE IT STICKS, YOU HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE WHEEL TO MAKE IT TURN, WHICH, WHEN IT FINALLY "UNSTICKS", ENDS UP CAUSING TOO SHARP OF A TURN. I DID A SEARC https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-606690 Sat, 16 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT PLEASE REFER TO FR DOC 04-10644. MY PROBLEM CONCERNS THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH MY 2003 BMW X5, IE, DELAYED PARK TO DRIVE ENGAGEMENT ON COLD START. ON 11-11-06 I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVE (I LIVE ON A CORNER LOT) AND IMMEDIATELY AM AT A STOP SIGN. I PULLED OUT, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT FULLY ENGAGE IN DRIVE AND AS A RESULT I CAME WITHIN INCHES OF BEING SMASHED BY A TRUCK THAT WAS COMING DOWN THE ROA https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-603769 Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT I WAS HEARING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR TOOK IT INTO BMW, AND THEY SAID THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS CRACKING. THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO! ALSO THE REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING ARE BAD WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR OR IN REVERSE! *NM https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-603770 Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT I WAS HEARING NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR TOOK IT INTO BMW, AND THEY SAID THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS CRACKING. THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO TELL ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO! ALSO THE REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING ARE BAD WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR OR IN REVERSE! *NM https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-602596 Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT TIRE FAILURE--TOTAL DISINTEGRATION OF TOYO PROXES T1-R 97Y ZR 23545R17 PURCHASED ON 2/11/06. *NM https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-588766 Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS INSERTED INTO DOESN'T HOLD THE BUCKLE ANY LONGER. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS NO LONGER USABLE. THE PART IS TO BE REPLACED BY THE LOCAL BMW DEALER (NOT UNDER WARRANTY), WHO WILL HAVE THE OLD PART. *JB https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#complaint-587913 Mon, 10 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT 3 SERIES MODELS (E36) AND NOTABLY THE 318TI BMW AUTOMOBILES HAVE AN EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE FOR THE WINDOW REGULATORS. ITS NOT UNCOMMON TO HAVE TO REPAIR THEM ANNUALLY AT A COST OF APPROX 300 DOLLARS PER DOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE WINDOW TO JAM, OR FALL INSIDE THE DOOR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DOCUMENTED PROBLEM AMONG THE OWNER COMMUNITY AND REACTIONS AT DEALERS IS "OH https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#recall-06E060000-bmw-bmw-e36-2003 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36 https://plaincars.com/make/bmw-e36#recall-06E060000-bmw-bmw-e36-2002 Thu, 29 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."