BMW E36 years to avoid
No model year of the BMW E36 stands out with more than twice its typical number of complaints.
Best BMW E36 years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
BMW E36 complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common BMW E36 problems
All model years combined.
- Transmission5
- Electrical3
- Body3
- Visibility2
- Tires2
- Seat belts2
- Wheels1
- Suspension1
- Steering1
- Seats1
- Engine1
- Airbags1
BMW E36 problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 74 | 13 | Transmission | 63,000 | 0 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 85 | 7 | Body | 0 | 1 | ||
| 1995 | - | 1 | Visibility | 0 | 0 |
Recalls 0
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the BMW E36
What years of the BMW E36 should you avoid?
No single model year of the BMW E36 has more than twice its typical number of owner complaints.
What is the best year for a used BMW E36?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the BMW E36?
Transmission, with 5 complaints across all years, followed by electrical (3) and body (3).
How many recalls does the BMW E36 have?
No recalls on record.
VIN decoder
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Buying a used BMW E36?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
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