Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1996 BMW M3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel system, gasoline1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1996 BMW M3 failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 1996 passenger car (1.47%). Median odometer at inspection: 142,373 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
70 first registered in 1996 are on Dutch roads; 54% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde22
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld8
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect6
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen6
- Waarschuwingsinrichting antiblokkeersysteem geeft defect aan3
- Richtingaanwijzer werkt niet (goed)3
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm3
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm3
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
108 cars built in 1996 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 397 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 169 of these cars first registered in 1996 took their annual MOT test. 77% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 1996 the figure was 65%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 1996 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.8% | 16.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.5% | 6.8% |
| Brakes | 5.3% | 11.5% |
| Suspension | 5.3% | 11.5% |
| Visibility | 4.7% | 6.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 2.4% | 9.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
11 of these cars first registered in 1996 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 242,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
31 1996 cars are on the New Zealand register; 26% arrived as used imports, 65% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 1996 BMW M3: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 604633 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH ON COLD START. *TT |
| 601101 | SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. *YC *JN |
| 600876 | SUBJECT PERTAINING TO MICHELIN PILOT SX MXX3 TIRES IN 235/40 ZR 17 AND 225/45 ZR 17 SIZES. *YC |
| 600874 | INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC |
| 600873 | SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. PRODUCED FROM 10/95 - 11/97 *YC*DB |
| 52261 | NEW DIFFERENTIAL HAS A FLANGE WITH 4 HOLES VERSUS THE OLD FLANGE THAT HAS 6 HOLES. *TW |
| 10244237 | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material- |
| 10040853 | BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING A SLIP/STICK EFFECT IS CREATED ON THE LINING AND STEEL DISCS INCORPORATED IN THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH CAUSES A GRINDING NOISE. *RM |
| 10030850 | BMW: THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSPECTION. THE RETAINING SPRINGS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING QUICK RELEASE COUPLINGS FOR THE COOLANT HOSES MAY NOT BE LOCKED CORRECTLY. THIS SITUATION MAY RESULT IN A COOLANT LEAK. MODELS AFFECTED ARE M3 SEDAN (E90), COUPE (92), AND CONVERTIBLE (393). NO MODEL YEARS LISTED. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)