Photo: Rudolf Stricker, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

BMW Série 3 IV (E46) recalls: manufacturer campaigns

1 documented manufacturer recall: a defect acknowledged by the brand, fixed free of charge at a dealer, even on a used car.

manufacturer campaign: 1
of 5 versions affected: 5

This guide has not been translated yet: it is shown in its original French version.

Is your version affected?

Find your engine (fuel type and power on the registration document): each row lists the campaigns that concern it. A recall often covers only a production period: only the vehicle identification number (VIN) settles it.

Version	Recalls
318i 143Petrol · 143 hp 318d 115Diesel · 115 hp 320d 150Diesel · 150 hp 330d 204Diesel · 204 hp 330i 230Petrol · 230 hp	Airbag conducteur : campagne de rappel du gonfleur

Each campaign in detail

Airbag conducteur : campagne de rappel du gonfleur
Manufacturer recall
Fiches-auto signale une campagne 2026 visant les Série 3 et M3 de cette génération produites du 3 novembre 1998 au 24 août 2006 (code de rappel BMW 0072760200), ainsi que des rappels antérieurs (2014, 2015, 2017) pour des airbags qui peuvent projeter des fragments ou ne pas se déclencher. Faites vérifier le numéro de série auprès de BMW.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
Single source so far: to be confirmed.
Versions
318i 143, 318d 115, 320d 150, 330d 204, 330i 230
Onset
not documented
Repair
not documented
Sources
- Fiabilité Bmw Serie 3 (1998-2005), 435 témoignages — Fiches-auto (new tab)
- Fiabilité Bmw Serie 3 coupe (1999-2006) — Fiches-auto (new tab)

Checking that a recall was done

Note the vehicle identification number (VIN): box E of the French registration certificate.
Ask a dealer of the brand whether each campaign was carried out on this VIN: the check and the repair are free.
Ask the seller for the invoice or dealer certificate for each recall.

Where to check online

Check vehicle recalls (DVSA) (new tab) : for a car registered in the UK, by make, model and VIN.
RappelConso (new tab) : the official French recall website (DGCCRF): search for the make and model.
Safety Gate (new tab) : European alerts on dangerous products, vehicles included.

Recalls of rival models

The same data for the alternatives suggested in the guide.

Model	Recalls	Known faults	Reliability
Audi A4 B6	0	2	4.5/5
Audi A4 B7	0	3	4.5/5
BMW Série 3 V (E90/E91/E92/E93)	2	6	2.0/5

Recall FAQ

How many recalls has the BMW Série 3 IV (E46) had?

We have documented 1 manufacturer recall for the BMW Série 3 IV (E46): Airbag conducteur : campagne de rappel du gonfleur.

Which versions of the BMW Série 3 IV (E46) are affected?

Every version in our guides is affected by at least one campaign.

How do I know whether the recalls were done on a used BMW Série 3 IV (E46)?

Note the vehicle identification number (VIN): box E of the French registration certificate. Ask a dealer of the brand whether each campaign was carried out on this VIN: the check and the repair are free. Ask the seller for the invoice or dealer certificate for each recall.

Do I have to pay for a recall?

No: a manufacturer recall is fixed free of charge by the brand's dealer network, even on a used car bought privately, as long as the campaign is open.

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