The vehicle had a gas leak in the tank. The dealer was notified. *Ak the consumer filled the gas tank and 15 minutes later all the gas leaked out. The consumer also experienced problems with the brakes, engine, and the a/c panel which intermittently went out. *Scc *jb
Vehicle safety record
1996 BMW 318 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1996 BMW 318 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (3) and the equipment & accessories (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 injury. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 1995 has 19 and the 1997 has 5.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 318 year, for its age
#187 most complained-about 1996 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1996 BMW 318 problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 1996 BMW 318
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 BMW 318. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.
What owners say
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5 complaints about the 1996 BMW 318
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The consumer was driving and water pump/fan belt and radiator failed. *Ak
WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Consumer was driving, was hit by another vehicle in the front right corner, head on, seatbelts were worn at the time, air bags did not deploy{driver /passenger}, causing minor injuries and bruises. *Ak
AIR CONDITIONER INOPERATIVE.
BMW 318: every year compared
All 318 years1996 BMW 318 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 BMW 318 | 5 | 0 | C | |
| 1996 BMW 328I | 34 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 318TI | 8 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 325 | 4 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 318I | 3 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 318IC | 2 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 320 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1996 BMW 535 | 1 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1996 BMW 318
Does the 1996 BMW 318 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 BMW 318 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 1996 BMW 318?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (3), equipment & accessories (2), fuel system (1).
How many complaints has the 1996 BMW 318 had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 28, 1997 and the latest on August 7, 2003. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1996 BMW 318 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 50 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical BMW 318 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which BMW 318 years have the most complaints?
1991 (22), 1994 (22), 1995 (19). See every BMW 318 year compared.
What should I do if my 1996 BMW 318 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data