1997 BMW 318I

1 recalls, 6 complaints - 5 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

6 total complaints

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE1
TIRES1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR Sep 1, 2004
Incident date: Aug 12, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON, AND EXHAUST FUMES WERE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON WEBSITE CONCERNING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OXYGEN SENSOR . NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THAT INFORMATION IN OUR DATA BASE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Aug 7, 2003
Incident date: Jul 30, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED SHE COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND TO CALL THIS AGENCY AND REPORT IT. *PH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM May 6, 2003
Incident date: Jun 1, 2002
BOARD LEVEL FAILURE ON AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT. FAILURE SO WIDESPREAD THAT NO OEM OR RENEWED PARTS DEALER HAS INVENTORY. *NLM
TIRES:TREAD/BELT Sep 4, 2002
Incident date: Jun 14, 2002
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, BMW, 318I WITH 30283 MILES. DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM PASSENGER'S REAR OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING $ 4000.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK CONTINENTAL TOURING 205/60R15 91H CH95
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Aug 30, 1999
Incident date: Jan 2, 1997
HEATER CORE FAILED. *YC
TIRES Aug 30, 1999
Incident date: Jan 2, 1997
POSSIBLE DESIGN OF ALL FOUR TIRES EXPERIENCED FAILURE (MICHELIN 185/65R15). *YC

Technical Service Bulletins, 1997 BMW 318I

5 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
140000 AIR BAGS1
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
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.
16 01 98 Mar 1, 1998
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC
72 08 97 Feb 1, 1998
140000 AIR BAGS
VARIOUS INFORMATION REGARDING DEACTIVATION OF AIRBAGS. *YC
12 15 96 Nov 1, 1997
185000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ROUGH IDLE

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 (current) 1 6
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 0 9 View
1984 0 6 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
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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
325I 83 1,809 View
Z4 83 1,439 View