Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical...
1984-2001 · 11 model years
BMW 318I Problems by year
Owners have filed 87 complaints about the BMW 318I across 11 model years, and it has 4 recalls. The 1995 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (14), while 1984, 2001 have far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling, followed by the electrical system.
- Complaints
- 87
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes
- 10
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 6
- Deaths
- 0
318I complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common 318I problems
BMW 318I recalls 4
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...
The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
During testing, incorrectly installed driver-side knee bolster prevented steering column from moving forward as designed to absorb impact energy from driver dummy.
Latest 318I complaints
1985 Bmw 318i. Consumer writes in regards to odometer fraud. *Ld updated 11/8/2017*js
The gas pedal is stuck and cannot stop and rpm are red lining. Car is unsafe to drive. Luckily I was pulling into work to park and that's when the gas pedal got stuck and the engine started revving up high to 500 rpm. *Tr
My vehicle was parked on a slight hill and the hand brake was pulled up to its full capacity. My brother sat in the car and smoked a cigarette before going to his appointment. After he returned from his appointment, the vehicle could not be found. After looking around, he realized that the vehicle had rolled down the hill, across a busy two-way main road in the downtown area of the city and hit the wall of the at&t building. Thank god no pedestrian was walking during this time and no car was passing by. My...
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insurance paid $12,000 in damages to the building owner and the damages to the car was massive. My premium increased due to this incident because at the time, bmw stated that there were no recalls on the hand brake. The vehicle was in tip top shape and the only issue I have ever had with it was having to get the hand brake adjusted periodically because it kept slipping causing the vehicle to roll even while extended. *Tr
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 bmw 318i. While traveling 35 mph, the contact became involved in a crash with another vehicle. As the contact was crashing into the second vehicle, the contact applied the horn just as the air bag deployed. The air bag struck the contact in the left arm, causing his left shoulder to become dislodged. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The contact was concerned because the air bag was located in the steering wheel where the horn was also located. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 91,000. The vin was not available.
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 bmw 318i. The contact stated that the vehicle had the same failure as noted in recall # 98v178000 concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system. He stated that the water pump failed and would cost $800.00 To repair. However, the repair was performed free of charge because the vehicle was under warranty. He first noticed the failure approximately one year ago. As a result, his vehicle stalled on the highway , and had to be towed to the dealer. The dealer replaced the pump. ...
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Approximately a week ago the failure recurred ,and would cost $800.00 To repair. The dealer stated that they would not service the recall, and that the vehicle not included in the recall due to the vin. The current mileage is 121,471, and failure mileage was 80,000. *Ak the consumer has provided the invoice for repairs. The dealer states that the consumer needs a ring replaced in the steering column to repair the horn which is inoperable and seatbelt tension to repair airbag light. Updated 05/23/07 *tr
Air bag light comes on when the car is started. The car, however, can be driven without an issue. The abs light then disappears after about three minutes. The dealer has twice turned-off the light by resetting the vehicle computer. Both times after the the dealer "fixed" the problem and a person seats on the back seat the light will automatically come on again. For clarification: I just imported my (u.S. Specifications) vehicle from germany both of these occurences took place in the country of germany, however...
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the previous owner warned me about the defect while the vehicle was in the u.S.A. Usa dealer has yet to be contacted. At this point I am unsure that the airbags will deploy in the case of an accident.
Questions about the BMW 318I
Which BMW 318I years have the most problems?
Which BMW 318I years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common BMW 318I problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the engine & cooling (32), electrical system (16), airbags (11) most often.
How many recalls does the BMW 318I have?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls across all BMW 318I model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data