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1996 BMW 318TI

1 recalls, 8 complaints - 4 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

8 total complaints 1 crashes

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES1
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Apr 8, 2010
Incident date: Apr 1, 2010
THIS IS THE 8TH TIME PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW OF MY 1996 BMW318TI IS IN NEED OF REPAIR. MOTOR REPLACED ONCE, THAN REGULATOR, FOLLOWED BY NUMEROUS REPAIRS FOR SLIDES OR CLIPS TO BE FIXED. WHEN PUTTING UP WINDOW THERE IS A LOUD CRACK AND THE WINDOW GOES OFF TRACK, SO IT CAN NEITHER GO UP OR DOWN. THIS IS... Read more
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Jun 7, 2009
Incident date: Jun 1, 2009
MY 1996 BMW 318TI - DRIVER SIDE FRONT WINDOW HAS 3 TIMES IN LAST 5 YEARS FALLEN INTO THE DOOR INTERIOR WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE HAD THIS REPAIRED NOW 3 TIMES IN 5 YEARS AT A TOTAL COST TO BE OF $1300. THIS IS A SYSTEMIC DESIGN AND SAFETY PROBLEM THAT OCCURS NOT MOST OF THE 3 SERIES BMW FROM 19... Read more
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Jul 10, 2006
Incident date: Jul 8, 2006
THE WINDOWS FALL OFF TRACK ON MY 1996 BMW E36 318TI. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO BOTH WINDOWS ON MY CAR REGULARLY FOR THE PAST 2.5 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND HAS RUINED THE TINT ON BOTH WINDOWS. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER 318TI OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS A HIGHLY COMMON FA... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES Jun 2, 2006
Incident date: May 26, 2006
I AM AN ENGINEER WHO PERFORMS FAILURE ANALYSIS - MY OBSERVATIONS ARE BASED ON SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE IN THIS FIELD. THE CAR IS A 1996 BMW 318TI WITH A 5 SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION. THE ENGINE IS STOCK. I WAS DRIVING MY 318TI ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT THE SPEED WAS INCREASING WITHOUT... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH Aug 29, 2003
Incident date: Aug 28, 2003
WHEN TAKING THE KEY OUT OFIGNITION VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION Dec 11, 2002
Incident date: Dec 1, 2002
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF CAR, KEY MOVED TO OFF POSITION WITHOUT RESISTANCE BUT DID NOT TURN OFF CAR. SWITCH LOCKED IN OFF POSITION BUT KEY WOULD MOVE AND CAR CONTINUED TO RUN. KEY COULD BE REMOVED AND REINSERTED BUT COULD NOT TURN OFF CAR. HAD TO PULL FUSE ON THE FUEL... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Jan 6, 1999
Incident date: Aug 1, 1997
STRIP ON DOOR PEELING MAKING IT HARD FOR DRIVER TO CLOSE THE DOOR.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Oct 27, 1997
Incident date: Oct 26, 1997
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. OWNER WILL CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
Crash

EPA Fuel Economy, 1996 BMW 318TI

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 20.0 29.0 23.0 Premium $3,300
1.9L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Rear-Wheel Drive) 20.0 29.0 23.0 Premium $3,300

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Compact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1996 BMW 318TI

4 manufacturer communications from 2 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
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

BMW 318TI - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 318TI across all model years (1995, 1997).

3 Total Recalls
31 Total Complaints
0 Investigations
2 Reported Crashes
0 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 318TI - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
1999 0 1 View
1998 0 18 View
1997 1 1 View
1996 (current) 1 8
1995 1 3 View

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