1994 BMW 318I
2 recalls, 19 complaints - 6 TSBs
98V178000 Aug 4, 1998
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Defect Description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY T... Read more
Consequence
IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
97V131000 Aug 19, 1997
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Defect Description
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEP... Read more
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Complaint Statistics
19 total complaints
3 crashes
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS | 1 |
POWER TRAIN
Dec 19, 2012
Incident date: Aug 22, 2011
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED UP TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. MY BROTHER SAT IN THE CAR AND SMOKED A CIGARETTE BEFORE GOING TO HIS APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE RETURNED FROM HIS APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, HE REALIZED THAT THE VEHICL... Read more
Crash
SERVICE BRAKES
Dec 19, 2012
Incident date: Aug 22, 2011
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED UP TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. MY BROTHER SAT IN THE CAR AND SMOKED A CIGARETTE BEFORE GOING TO HIS APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE RETURNED FROM HIS APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, HE REALIZED THAT THE VEHICL... Read more
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 12, 2005
Incident date: Aug 9, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE OVERHEATED RANDOMLY. THE ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED TWICE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE REPAIRS WERE COSTLY. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR ONE REPAIR, BUT WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN. CONSUMER STATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE OV... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
May 14, 2002
Incident date: Nov 23, 2001
FUEL LEAKAGES FROM THE UPPER RETURN LINES. DEALER MAKING REPAIRS. *AK DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS NEXT TO THE STARTER. ALSO CLAIMS IT WAS FIXED, HOWEVER IT IS NOT. *JG
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Mar 7, 2002
Incident date: Oct 20, 2000
INITIAL THROTTLE RECALL (NHTSE #97V131000) PERFORMED 5-13-98. PROBLEMS RELATING TO CRUISE CONTROL/BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE. (PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE IRREGULARITIES IN SEVERAL FIELDS OF THE QUESTIONAIRE THAT SHOW UP INCORRECTLY ON THE FINAL CHART.)
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Sep 6, 2001
Incident date: Mar 1, 2001
INTERIOR DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLIES ON 3 (THREE) SECTIONS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE DETACHED - IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE! ALSO, FLAWED DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLIES MAKE ENTERY/EGRESS FROM VEHICLE DIFFICULT/DANGEROUS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Aug 2, 2001
Incident date: Oct 15, 2000
TEMPERATURE GUAGE RISES AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT SPILL ENGINE OVERHEATS ENGINE STALLS I REALLY DON'T EXPECT THIS ON A BMW WHY DON'T HELP US WITH THE PROBLEM I'M REALLY DISAPOINTED THEY JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEM.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
Aug 2, 2001
Incident date: Oct 15, 2000
TEMPERATURE GUAGE RISES AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT SPILL ENGINE OVERHEATS ENGINE STALLS I REALLY DON'T EXPECT THIS ON A BMW WHY DON'T HELP US WITH THE PROBLEM I'M REALLY DISAPOINTED THEY JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEM.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Jun 8, 2001
Incident date: May 26, 2001
WOULD BE DRIVING AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST INTO 2ND GEAR. WOULD GET HUNG UP IN FIRST. THEN, IT WOULD SUDDENLY JERK AND SHIFT INTO 2ND. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM OF SHIFTING WAS REPAIRABLE.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
May 30, 2001
Incident date: Sep 22, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND RED LIGHT CAME ON, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET CONTAINED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE HEAD, CONSUMER WAS ALSO ADVISED BY REPUTABLE BMW DEALERS THAT VEHICLE WA... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
May 30, 2001
Incident date: Sep 22, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND RED LIGHT CAME ON, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET CONTAINED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE HEAD, CONSUMER WAS ALSO ADVISED BY REPUTABLE BMW DEALERS THAT VEHICLE WA... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Nov 14, 2000
WHILE DRIVING THE OVER-HEATING LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER FOUND HEAD GASKET TO BE CRACKED, CONSUMER SAYS THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW TO THE PROFILE GASKET WHICH CAN LEAK AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *SLC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
Jun 16, 2000
Incident date: May 11, 2000
CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO A CAR WASH WHEN CONTROL BOX GOT WET, THEN THE FUEL INJECTOR FROZE OPEN, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. CAR SPILLED GASOLINE ALL OVER THE GROUND. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO START VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR WHEN A CAR WASH ATTENDANT CAME OUT AND TOLD HER NOT TO START VEHICLE... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
Jun 16, 2000
Incident date: May 11, 2000
CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO A CAR WASH WHEN CONTROL BOX GOT WET, THEN THE FUEL INJECTOR FROZE OPEN, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. CAR SPILLED GASOLINE ALL OVER THE GROUND. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO START VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR WHEN A CAR WASH ATTENDANT CAME OUT AND TOLD HER NOT TO START VEHICLE... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Oct 4, 1999
Incident date: Sep 28, 1999
THE CAR KEEPS STALLING OUT WHEN I AM AT A STOP, STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN AND IS FINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN STALLS AGAIN (MAY BE DAYS LATER). DEALER IS CLAIMING IT'S THE ALTERNATOR.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
Sep 2, 1999
Incident date: Sep 2, 1999
WHEN ONSUMER'S SON GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND LOCKED DOORS MANUALLY. THEN TRIED TO TURN ON ENGINE, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. DRIVER TRIED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, AND HE COULDN'T BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. SOMEHOW HE OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND GOT OUT. THEN UNLOCKED DOOR WITH KEY. *AK
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Sep 2, 1999
Incident date: Sep 2, 1999
WHEN ONSUMER'S SON GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND LOCKED DOORS MANUALLY. THEN TRIED TO TURN ON ENGINE, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. DRIVER TRIED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, AND HE COULDN'T BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. SOMEHOW HE OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND GOT OUT. THEN UNLOCKED DOOR WITH KEY. *AK
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Mar 10, 1999
Incident date: Jan 2, 1999
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH HEAD-ON COLLISION, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WILL HAVE VEHI... Read more
Crash
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Oct 14, 1998
Incident date: Sep 30, 1996
VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1994 BMW 318I
6 manufacturer communications from 5 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | 1 |
| 161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| 103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 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
72/07/96
Dec 1, 1996
355100 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW
41/03/96
Nov 1, 1996
161000 STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW
24/03/96
Nov 1, 1996
103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. *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.