1998 BMW 318I

0 recalls, 12 complaints - 5 TSBs

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

12 total complaints 2 crashes 1 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY1
AIR BAGS1
AIR BAGS Sep 19, 2012
Incident date: Feb 28, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 318I. WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT WAS CRASHING INTO THE SECOND VEHICLE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE HORN JUST AS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE LEFT ARM, CAUSING HIS LEFT ... Read more
Crash 1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Sep 29, 2005
Incident date: Sep 28, 2005
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN EXPECTED. I WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO NHTSA RECALL NO.: 97V131. *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Nov 14, 2003
Incident date: Nov 14, 2003
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE KEY STARTED ROTATING IN IGNITION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND REMOVED KEY. ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. ONLY WAY TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE WAS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY. EMAIL: [email protected] *LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Jan 8, 2002
Incident date: Jan 7, 2001
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND WENT TO PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START VEHICLE, SHE TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING, SHE DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT CYLINDER LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE Mar 27, 2001
Incident date: Dec 16, 1998
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED CONTINUALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ENGINE/THROTTLE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE INTERMITTENTLY AND EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL VEHICLE IS... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Mar 27, 2001
Incident date: Dec 16, 1998
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED CONTINUALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ENGINE/THROTTLE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE INTERMITTENTLY AND EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL VEHICLE IS... Read more
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR Mar 27, 2001
Incident date: Jan 29, 2001
THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. MJS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Mar 27, 2001
Incident date: Jan 19, 2000
BATTERY REPLACED. MJS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Feb 14, 2001
Incident date: Dec 17, 2000
BMW IS CURRENTLY DENYING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST, DESPITE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 97V131000. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE REFUSING TO PROVIDE ANYTHING ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS STILL WARRANTIED. NO SUMMARY LISTED.
Crash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Oct 2, 2000
Incident date: Mar 1, 2000
AUTOMATIC TRANS POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING (LOUD NOISE). *AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Oct 2, 2000
Incident date: Mar 1, 2000
AUTOMATIC TRANS POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING (LOUD NOISE). *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Oct 26, 1999
Incident date: Mar 17, 1998
THERE ISN'T ANY COVER FOR THE LUGGAGE THAT GOES OVER THE TRUNK LID WHICH VAPORS ARE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE, AND MAKING THE CONSUMER SICK. *AK

Technical Service Bulletins, 1998 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 BAGS2
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
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.
72 04 98 Oct 1, 1998
140000 AIR BAGS
INFORMATION ON NEW AIRBAGS. *YC
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

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 (current) 0 12
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 0 9 View
1984 0 6 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
X5 223 4,349 View
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