1992 BMW 318

4 recalls, 17 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.
116,300 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
94V037000 Feb 17, 1994
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Defect Description
THE ADHESIVE MATERIAL OF THE TWO PIECE THROTTLE BODY HEATER MIGRATES INTO THE CIRCULATION CHAMBER CAUSING BUILD UP OF IMPURITIES AND RESTRICTION OF FLOW WITHIN THE CHAMBER. THIS CONDITION AND WATER VAPORS FROM THE CRANK THAT FREEZES AT LOW AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES PREVENTS THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM CL... Read more
Consequence
IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HEATER WITH A MODIFIED HEATER.
23,500 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
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.
375,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
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.
15,200 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

17 total complaints 1 crashes

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY1
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH May 10, 2004
THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE DOOR WILL NOT HOLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL Apr 27, 2001
Incident date: Jan 1, 2001
PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY Apr 27, 2001
Incident date: Jan 1, 2001
CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTER, SHE HAS TAKEN IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE ALREADY TO HAVE IT REPLACED.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Nov 6, 1998
Incident date: Oct 31, 1998
THE AFFECTED GASKET IS KNOWN TO BE OF A DEFECTIVE NATURE AND IS PRONE TO FAILURE AT SOME POINT IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT. THE ORIGINAL PART AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE REFERENCED IN A BMW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 11 10 93 (3885). THUS FAR, BMW HAS CHOSEN... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Oct 5, 1998
Incident date: Aug 1, 1998
CLAMP AND HOSE FROM GASOLINE TANK FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Jul 14, 1997
VEHICLES HAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER-BMW HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 1, 1997
Incident date: Jul 16, 1996
ENGINE TIMING CHAIN/ENGINE MAIN HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY Mar 25, 1997
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, ALLOWING A SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF MOST OR ALL OF THE COOLANT (RADIATOR) WHILE TRAVELING.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 20, 1997
Incident date: Nov 11, 1996
A GASKET WEARS OUT IN THE ENGINE VALVE TRAIN, CAUSING COOLANT LOSS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Dec 10, 1996
Incident date: Oct 3, 1996
ENGINE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT LEAK. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 23, 1996
Incident date: Oct 12, 1996
ENGINE PROFILE GASKET FAILURE, CAUSING LOSS OF HOT COOLANT, RESULTING IN A FOG OF WHITE STEAM WHICH COULD IMPAIR VISIBILITY. *AK
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR May 20, 1996
Incident date: May 19, 1995
WITH TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 95 DEGREES OR MORE REAR WINDOW EMPLODED WHILE NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY Mar 13, 1996
5-SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO 1ST GEAR WITHOUT DIFFICULTY WHICH IS NOW BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Jan 11, 1996
Incident date: Nov 15, 1992
M/TRANS: ACCELERATOR STICKS DURING COLD WEATHER; ENGINE SPEEDS UP, EVEN WITH BRAKES APPLIED;NEARLY CAUSED REAR END ACCIDENT;NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL #91V219000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Jan 11, 1996
Incident date: Nov 15, 1992
M/TRANS: ACCELERATOR STICKS DURING COLD WEATHER; ENGINE SPEEDS UP, EVEN WITH BRAKES APPLIED;NEARLY CAUSED REAR END ACCIDENT;NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL #91V219000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 17, 1995
Incident date: Jul 14, 1995
THE HEAD AND THE GASKETS AND THEY ARE PORUS AND THEY FALL APART. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL Feb 9, 1995
Incident date: Jan 27, 1995
WHILE PARKED WITH BRAKE ON, EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. TT
Crash

Technical Service Bulletins, 1992 BMW 318

4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
140000 AIR BAGS1
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
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
120794(4116) Jan 1, 1995
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
ENGINE WILL NOT START, PRIMARILY DURING COLD WEATHER OR HIGH ALTITUDE. *TW
120894(4117) Jan 1, 1995
061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE WILL NOT START. *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
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1991
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
EA92017 Opened: Jun 2, 1992 , Closed: Mar 30, 1993
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1984
HEATER CORE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
EA89007 Opened: Dec 23, 1988 , Closed: Jul 26, 1989
EA, Closed , Model Year: 1985
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH
===

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.

Year Recalls Complaints
2001 0 6 View
1998 0 3 View
1997 0 6 View
1996 0 11 View
1995 0 28 View
1994 1 26 View
1993 2 17 View
1992 (current) 4 17
1991 3 47 View
1990 1 2 View
1989 1 0 View
1985 2 2 View
1984 3 4 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
X5 223 4,349 View
X3 155 2,661 View
330I 122 1,050 View
X6 110 293 View
328I 108 3,743 View
M3 95 550 View
Z4 83 1,439 View
325I 83 1,809 View