New bmw combusted -- electrical fire due to defect in fan assembly already known to bmw. Had I been driving the car at the time, it would have resulted in a fatality.
Vehicle safety record
2001 BMW 318 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2001 BMW 318 with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (5) and the suspension (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire. There are no recalls for it.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical 318 year, for its age
#232 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2001 BMW 318 problems
Share of all 6 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
No recalls for the 2001 BMW 318
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 BMW 318. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.
What owners say
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6 complaints about the 2001 BMW 318
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
My car was simply idling in a parking lot with the a/c on for a few minutes when I returned to find my car with smoke billowing from under the hood. I immediately ran to the car and turned it off. I noticed the temperature gauge was all the way to the red zone. I then noticed radiator fluid spilling to the ground. I opened the hood of the car and noticed the fluid was releasing from the radiator cap. My car was towed to the dealer and they replaced the cooling fan. This is not an isolated incident. I have...
Read the full complaint
read numerous incidents on the internet of people's cooling fans failing and their bmw's overheating. I'm surprised bmw has not yet issued a recall. This needs to be done. My car was not some car waiting at a dealership to be bought. I ordered it and it was assembled in a plant in germany. They are installing faulty fans into new cars. Their problem is that they do not know which fans are the bad/failing fans. They should recall all 3 series bmw 2001 fans and replace them. This upsets me. My car is running fine, but who knows what if any, unknown long term damage was sustained in my engine from overheating!!!!!. *Ak
Multiple complaints of overheating for same model due to failure of auxiliary cooling fan as noted on internet bulletin board www.Bimmer.Org in recent weeks/months
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Cooling fan failure caused engine to overheat - vehicle undriveable. *Ak
After hearing unusual noises coming from the front suspension, the dealer replaced the control arms. Similar noises are now coming from the back but the source has not been determined yet. I am concerned with safety and reliability of this product.*Ak
BMW 318: every year compared
All 318 years2001 BMW 318 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 BMW 318 | 6 | 0 | C | |
| 2001 BMW 325I | 150 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325CI | 49 | 6 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 3 Series | 36 | 1 | B | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325 | 31 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325XI | 14 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 320 | 10 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 325IX | 7 | 0 | - | Compare |
| 2001 BMW 318I | 4 | 0 | A | 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 2001 BMW 318
Does the 2001 BMW 318 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 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 2001 BMW 318?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (5), suspension (1).
How many complaints has the 2001 BMW 318 had?
6 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 20, 2001 and the latest on August 17, 2001. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2001 BMW 318 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 54 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 2001 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