1991 BMW 318I
1 recalls, 9 complaints - 4 TSBs
91V054000 Apr 10, 1991
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER
Defect Description
DURING TESTING, INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DRIVER-SIDE KNEE BOLSTER PREVENTED STEERING COLUMN FROM MOVING FORWARD AS DESIGNED TO ABSORB IMPACT ENERGY FROM DRIVER DUMMY.
Consequence
CHEST DECELERATION EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LIMIT WHICHRESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPAIR THE KNEE BOLSTER TO ALLOW CLEARANCE AND AVOID IMPEDANCE OF STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT DURING FRONTAL IMPACT.
Complaint Statistics
9 total complaints
1 crashes
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 3 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Apr 26, 2004
Incident date: Apr 26, 2004
ENGINE PROFILE GASKET FOR M42 ENGINE 4CYL, 16 VALVE HAS FAILED ALLOWING ALL COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK FROM ENGINE.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Aug 8, 2003
Incident date: Jun 23, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK. *JB THE COOLANT LEAKED FROM A FAULTY PROFILE GASKET. THE FAULTY GASKET WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER REVIEWED THE ... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Apr 10, 2002
Incident date: Nov 1, 2001
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL LATCH INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK MANUFACTUER AND DEALER UNWILLING TO HELP, CONSUMER REPLACED WITH SECOND HAND PARTS. *TT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Dec 8, 2000
WHEN STRIKING A WALL HEAD-ON AT 40 MPH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Crash
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 18, 2000
Incident date: Feb 26, 1999
I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE (BMW E30 M42) HAVE BEEN PLAQUED WITH THIS EXACT FAILURE. WITH SO MANY VEHICLES AFFECTED ISN'T A RECALL IN ORDER? THIS REPAIR/FIX COST ME $1258.43 AND BMW KNEW THE PROBLEM EXISTED!
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sep 14, 2000
Incident date: Feb 26, 1999
I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE (BMW E30 M42) HAVE BEEN PLAQUED WITH THIS EXACT FAILURE. WITH SO MANY VEHICLES AFFECTED ISN'T A RECALL IN ORDER? THIS REPAIR/FIX COST ME $1258.43 AND BMW KNEW THE PROBLEM EXISTED!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Jul 19, 2000
Incident date: Jul 18, 2000
CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Jan 20, 1999
Incident date: Jan 20, 1998
ENGINE GASKET FAILURE.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Mar 25, 1997
Incident date: Nov 16, 1996
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKETS FAILED WHICH IN TURN RELEASES ALL COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM.
EPA Fuel Economy, 1991 BMW 318I
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) | 17.0 | 23.0 | 19.0 | Premium | $4,000 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1991 BMW 318I
4 manufacturer communications from 3 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 |
| 116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
| 110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| 133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
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.
12 14 97
Aug 1, 1997
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
M42 FAULT CODE 200/333. DME CONTROL UNIT MEMORY CHIP IS FAULTY. *AK
MSG1016
Oct 1, 1996
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW
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
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
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
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.