1996 BMW 318I

1 recalls, 3 complaints - 7 TSBs

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.
410,000 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

3 total complaints 2 crashes 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL2
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION1
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION May 8, 2003
Incident date: May 8, 2003
WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED GEARS, THE GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. *JB REPLACED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THROW-OUT BEARING DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR . *TT
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL May 30, 2002
Incident date: May 1, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, SHE HIT A CEMENT WALL AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB VEHICLE TOTALLED AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED.. *TT
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Sep 3, 1999
Incident date: Aug 17, 1999
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND LOST CONTROL. HIT AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Crash

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 BMW 318I

7 manufacturer communications from 5 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.1
134000 VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY1
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE1
185000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL1
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.
12 15 96 Nov 1, 1997
185000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ROUGH IDLE
12 15 96 Feb 1, 1997
116200 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
M44 MISFIRE FAULTS 50, 51, 52 OR 53. *TW
12/15/96 Dec 1, 1996
061000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
M44 MISFIRE FAULTS 50, 51, 52 OR 53. *TW
54/09/96 Nov 1, 1996
134000 VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF FAILS TO CLOSE. *TW
65/17/96 Oct 1, 1996
353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
WHINING NOISE DURING CD OPERATION. *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
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 (current) 1 3
1995 2 19 View
1994 2 19 View
1993 2 15 View
1992 3 8 View
1991 1 9 View
1985 0 9 View
1984 0 6 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
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X3 155 2,661 View
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X6 110 293 View
328I 108 3,743 View
M3 95 550 View
325I 83 1,809 View
Z4 83 1,439 View