1991 BMW 318
3 recalls, 47 complaints - 4 TSBs
94V066000 Apr 11, 1994
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Defect Description
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Consequence
FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
Remedy
A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
93V015000 Feb 1, 1993
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
Defect Description
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence
VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER ... Read more
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
91V219000 Dec 17, 1991
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM, VENTED INTO THE INTAKE TRACT OF THE ENGINE AT THE BELLOWS BOOT AHEAD OF THE THROTTLE HOUSING, ALLOWS WARM WATER VAPOR FROM THE CRANKCASE VENT TO CONDENSE AND FREEZE IN THE COLDER BELLOWS BOOT WHEN THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS. THE BUI... Read more
Consequence
IF THE THROTTLE PLATE IS PREVENTED FROM CLOSING, THEREIS AN INCREASE IN IDLE SPEED AS WELL AS SLOWER THAN NORMAL DECELERATION, WHICHOCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPLACE THE THROTTLE HOUSING WITH A VERSION CONTAINING A MODIFIED HEATING SYSTEM ALONG WITH REROUTING OF THE CVS HOSE. THIS WILL PREVENT ICE BUILD-UP IN THE INTAKE TRACT.
Complaint Statistics
47 total complaints
6 crashes 6 injuries
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY | 5 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 |
| SEATS | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 1 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
Nov 6, 1997
Incident date: Mar 29, 1994
BELTS FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Nov 6, 1997
Incident date: Mar 29, 1994
THERMOSTAT FAILED.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
Nov 6, 1997
Incident date: Mar 29, 1994
ANTENNA BROKE OFF.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Nov 6, 1997
Incident date: Mar 29, 1994
RIGHT WINDOW SWITCH FAILED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
Nov 6, 1997
Incident date: Jun 25, 1995
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
Nov 6, 1997
BATTERY FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Nov 6, 1997
RADIATOR CONNECTION SEPARATED/FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Nov 6, 1997
FOUR CYLINDER-HEAD COVER FAILURES.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Nov 6, 1997
VEHICLE HAS BLOWN TWO HEAD GASKETS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Oct 31, 1997
Incident date: Aug 28, 1997
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER IMPACT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE DUE TO DFECTIVE ENGINE PROFILE GASKET.
Crash
1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Oct 2, 1997
Incident date: Sep 25, 1997
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT, VEHICLE WAS DRIPPING COOLIN FLUID. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AND SAW THE COOLING FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF THE RADIATOR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Sep 23, 1997
Incident date: Jun 20, 1997
ENGINE PROFILE GASKET MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jul 2, 1997
Incident date: May 9, 1997
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE PARTS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Jun 27, 1997
Incident date: Dec 30, 1996
RADIATOR FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jun 27, 1997
Incident date: Dec 30, 1996
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 30, 1997
Incident date: Jan 13, 1997
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 29, 1997
Incident date: Aug 1, 1996
DESIGN DEFECT CONCERNING TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 6, 1997
Incident date: Sep 1, 1995
ENGINE GASKET FAILURE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Jan 6, 1997
Incident date: Aug 1, 1995
ENGINE GASKET FAILED/REPLACED; ALSO REPLACED WATER PUMP. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 6, 1997
Incident date: Aug 1, 1995
ENGINE GASKET FAILED/REPLACED; ALSO REPLACED WATER PUMP. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Nov 5, 1996
Incident date: Aug 10, 1996
ENGINE GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN A COOLANT LEAK. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Oct 23, 1996
Incident date: Sep 30, 1996
ENGINE GASKE TFAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Aug 2, 1996
Incident date: May 7, 1996
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Apr 25, 1996
Incident date: Oct 20, 1995
COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK FROM FRONT SEAL PORT OF VEHICLES WATER PUMP. *DSH
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
Aug 28, 1995
Incident date: Dec 31, 1990
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AND HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES WITH CAUSE UNDETECTED BY KUNI BMW-OR. TT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Jul 13, 1995
Incident date: Mar 24, 1995
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *SKD
Crash
1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
Jun 8, 1995
Incident date: Feb 1, 1994
DRIVER'S SEAT BACK BROKE DURING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN DRIVER BEING TOSSED INTO BACK SEAT.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Jun 8, 1995
Incident date: Feb 1, 1994
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT CAME OFF DURING ABOVE ACCIDENT.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Jun 8, 1995
Incident date: Feb 1, 1994
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING TWO DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS, RESULTING IN INJURY. *SKD
Crash
1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
May 25, 1995
Incident date: Mar 11, 1995
FUSES KEEP BLOWING OUT WHEN WINDOWS ARE PUT DOWN, CAUSING WINDOWS TO BECOME STUCK UNTIL NEW FUSES ARE PUT IN.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
May 25, 1995
Incident date: Mar 11, 1995
INTERMITTENT STALLING WHEN STOPPING AT LIGHTS/STOP SIGNS. *SKD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Feb 3, 1995
THERMOSTAT REPLACED DUE TO LEAK.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:BANJO HOUSING
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Mar 6, 1995
SEAL FOR LEFT AXLE SHAFT REPLACED.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Dec 1, 1994
BATTERY REPLACED TWICE.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Jun 29, 1994
BRAKE LIGHT BULB FAILED.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Feb 3, 1995
WIPER BLADES REPLACED.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Mar 6, 1995
HEATER EMITTED FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Feb 3, 1995
HEAD GASKET REPLACED.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Mar 6, 1995
POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED DUE TO LEAK.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Jun 29, 1994
POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Mar 6, 1995
GASOLINE LEAK UNDER VEHICLE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Aug 4, 1992
AUX FUEL PUMP REPLACED FIVE TIMES DUE TO NOISE. *SKD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
May 4, 1995
Incident date: Oct 18, 1994
GEAR SHIFT BRAKET FAILED, CAUSING LEVER TO FALL DOWN.
SEATS
Apr 4, 1995
Incident date: Feb 10, 1994
FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACT 11:00 POSITION, LOST CONTROL HIT AGAIN ON 1:00 POSITION SPEED 40 MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE, LAP/SHOULDER.
Crash
1 injured
SEATS
Apr 4, 1995
Incident date: Feb 10, 1994
FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 11:00 P0SITION, DRIVRER,S SIDE SEAT BROKE. *AK
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Apr 4, 1995
Incident date: Feb 10, 1994
FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACT 11:00 POSITION, LOST CONTROL, HIT AGAIN ON 1:00 POSITION, SPEED 40 MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
Crash
1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Feb 15, 1995
Incident date: Feb 14, 1995
INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND AIRBAG DEPLOYED BY ITSELF. TT
Technical Service Bulletins, 1991 BMW 318
4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
| 140000 AIR BAGS | 1 |
| 125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 |
MSG0415
Oct 1, 1996
140000 AIR BAGS
RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW
MSG1016
Oct 1, 1996
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW
120894(4117)
Jan 1, 1995
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW
514191(3431)
Jan 1, 1993
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
VARIOUS MALFUNCTIONS OF THE "ONE TOUCH" WINDOW OPERATION. *TW
NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 318
Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.
EA95013
Opened: Mar 31, 1995 , Closed: Jul 15, 1996
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
EA92017
Opened: Jun 2, 1992 , Closed: Mar 30, 1993
HEATER CORE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
EA89007
Opened: Dec 23, 1988 , Closed: Jul 26, 1989
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
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BMW 318 - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the BMW 318 across all model years (1984, 1994).
17
Total Recalls
170
Total Complaints
3
Investigations
25
Reported Crashes
2
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths
BMW 318 - Year by Year
Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.