1985 BMW 318I

0 recalls, 9 complaints - 2 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

9 total complaints 3 fires 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL Nov 8, 2017
Incident date: Sep 1, 2017
1985 BMW 318I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ODOMETER FRAUD. *LD UPDATED 11/8/2017*JS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Aug 21, 2004
Incident date: Jul 28, 2004
1/12/04 BRAKE REPLACEMENT. 3/16/04 -ENGINE SMOKING. 3/17/04 RADIATOR HOSE,CLAMPS ANTIFREEZE,NEW RADIATOR $368.17 - 7/28/04 VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED. MY DAUGHTER WAS SECONDS FROM BEING BURNED ALIVE. *JB
Fire 1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Aug 21, 2004
Incident date: Jul 28, 2004
1/12/04 BRAKE REPLACEMENT. 3/16/04 -ENGINE SMOKING. 3/17/04 RADIATOR HOSE,CLAMPS ANTIFREEZE,NEW RADIATOR $368.17 - 7/28/04 VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED. MY DAUGHTER WAS SECONDS FROM BEING BURNED ALIVE. *JB
Fire 1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP May 8, 2002
Incident date: May 3, 2002
I WAS TOLD A FEW YEARS BACK BY C.S.A.A. ABOUT A TSB ON THE BMW318I WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS HAD TO DO WITH THE HIGH SPEED IDLE TEST WHEN DOING THE SMOG TEST. I QUESTION THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM THAT I JUST NOTICED ABOUT THE COOLENT SYSTEM FAILURE TSB. MY CAR HAS QUIT RUNNING T... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Jan 29, 2001
CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, UPON INSPECTION THE CONUSMER FOUND A SIX INCH PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE LEAKING. NLM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Jan 23, 2001
CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE, UPON INSPECTION THE CONUSMER FOUND A SIX INCH PIECE OF RUBBER HOSE LEAKING. NLM
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Mar 22, 2000
Incident date: Apr 10, 1999
HEATER CORE FAILED CAUSING HOT WATER TO HIT CONSUMER'S LEGS AND FOGGED WINDOWS RESULTING IN NO VISIBILITY AND INJURY TO CONSUMER (2ND DEGREE BURNS). *MJS
1 injured
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Dec 27, 1999
Incident date: Dec 4, 1999
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FILLED UP WITH STEAM. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE. CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PULL CAR OVER. CAR WAS TOWED TO CONSUMER'S HOME. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE HEATER CORE BLEW UP. SERVICE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS AFFECTED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Jan 8, 1999
Incident date: Jan 7, 1999
SMOKE COMMING FROM DASH INTERIOR AND THEN FLAMES BURST OUT CONSUMED CAR IN 15 MINUTES, CAR TOTALED OUT
Fire

Technical Service Bulletins, 1985 BMW 318I

2 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 318I

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA09019 Opened: Dec 18, 2009 , Closed: Sep 28, 2011
EA, Closed , Model Year: 2003
Rear Lamp Illumination
In a letter submitted to the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) dated August25, 2011, BMWindicated that it will conduct a voluntary recall campaign to remedy the subject vehicles.The issue involves the rear lamps in the vehicles body panel.Through normal vehicle use over time, the rear lamps grou... Read more
PE09036 Opened: Aug 7, 2009 , Closed: Dec 22, 2009
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2003
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS STATING THAT THEIR TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY IS NOT PROPERLY ILLUMINATING.THE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONSISTS OF A TURN SIGNAL LAMP, A TAIL LAMP AND A BRAKE LAMP.THE COMPLAINANTS HAVE INDICATED THAT THE ISSUE IS WITH AN 8 PIN CONNECTOR AND ASSOCIATED GROUND WIRING.T... Read more
DP09002 Opened: Apr 8, 2009 , Closed: Aug 6, 2009
DP, Closed , Model Year: 2003
REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
IN MARCH 2009, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A PETITION FROM MR. MARK PETERS REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION OF REAR LAMP FAILURE IN MODEL YEAR 2002-2005 BMW 3-SERIES VEHICLES.AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER WAS SENT TO BMW IN APRIL 2009, AND ODI RECEIVED BMW'S RESPONSE IN JUNE 2009.T... Read more

BMW 318I - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 318I across all model years (1991, 1997).

12 Total Recalls
113 Total Complaints
3 Investigations
11 Reported Crashes
4 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 318I - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2003 0 3 View
2001 0 4 View
1998 0 12 View
1997 1 6 View
1996 1 3 View
1995 2 19 View
1994 2 19 View
1993 2 15 View
1992 3 8 View
1991 1 9 View
1985 (current) 0 9
1984 0 6 View

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