1996 BMW M3
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 BMW M3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.
1996 BMW M3 at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 BMW M3 recalls 1
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 …
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 BMW M3 common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 BMW M3 MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 BMW M3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
Manufacturer service bulletins 9
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-
Bulletin B340714 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2023BMW: 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
Bulletin SIB-33-01-02 · Suspension · Jul 2011BMW: 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 CONV…
Bulletin SI-B11-07-09 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2009CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH ON COLD START. *TT
Bulletin 120299 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 1999SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. *YC *JN
Bulletin 12 10 97 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 1998SUBJECT PERTAINING TO MICHELIN PILOT SX MXX3 TIRES IN 235/40 ZR 17 AND 225/45 ZR 17 SIZES. *YC
Bulletin 36 01 98 · Tires · Mar 1998INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC
Bulletin 16 01 98 · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 1998SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. PRODUCED FROM 10/95 - 11/97 *YC*DB
Bulletin 12 10 97 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 1998NEW DIFFERENTIAL HAS A FLANGE WITH 4 HOLES VERSUS THE OLD FLANGE THAT HAS 6 HOLES. *TW
Bulletin MSG1407 · Power Train · Jan 1997Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the M3. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the BMW M3
The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.