1993 BMW 318

2 recalls, 17 complaints - 2 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

Complaint Statistics

17 total complaints 2 crashes 5 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE11
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM Dec 8, 1999
Incident date: Mar 11, 1998
ENGINE LOST COOLANT, ENGINE MELTED, REPLACED ENGINE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 2, 1999
Incident date: Feb 23, 1999
PROFILE GASKET LEAK.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Oct 10, 1998
Incident date: Mar 5, 1998
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE May 8, 1998
Incident date: May 6, 1998
ENGINE TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY VEER FROM THE THIRD LANE TO THE SHOULDER BY THE FIRST LANE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Dec 29, 1997
Incident date: Jun 1, 1997
PROFILE CASE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING ALL ENGINE FLUID TO SPILL ONTO FREEWAY AT SPEED. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Dec 9, 1997
Incident date: Aug 30, 1997
PROFILE GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ANTI-FREEZE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Sep 19, 1997
Incident date: May 16, 1997
PROFILE GASKET FAILED DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEM, CAUSING COOLANT LEAKS. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Aug 19, 1997
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE ENGINE TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT.OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Aug 15, 1997
Incident date: Nov 1, 1996
PROFILE GASKET FAILED/REPLACED. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Aug 14, 1997
Incident date: Jul 16, 1997
FAILED HEAD GASKETS CAUSED VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 25, 1997
Incident date: Nov 1, 1996
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, LEAKING ANTIFREEZE ONTO ROADWAY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Mar 18, 1997
Incident date: Feb 20, 1997
REPLACED THE LEAKING TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Dec 28, 1995
Incident date: Feb 1, 1995
CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. TT
Crash 4 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Dec 19, 1995
Incident date: Feb 1, 1994
SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LOCK, VERY HARD TO SNAP THE BUCKLE. TT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jul 5, 1995
Incident date: Jun 23, 1995
UPON FRONTAL IMPACT ESTIMATED SPEED 25-30 MPH, AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Crash 1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS Apr 4, 1995
Incident date: Mar 17, 1995
THE ENGINE BELTS ARE UNDER ENGINEERED AND THEY DISINTEGRATE. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Feb 2, 1995
Incident date: Jan 26, 1995
PURCHASED CAR WITH BARE WIRE EXPOSED IN WIRING LOOM WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. TT

Technical Service Bulletins, 1993 BMW 318

2 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS1
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

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
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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.

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 (current) 2 17
1992 4 17 View
1991 3 47 View
1990 1 2 View
1989 1 0 View
1985 2 2 View
1984 3 4 View

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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