By model year
The 1991 model year drew the most complaints, 21
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, all years filed, by model year.
Source: NHTSA ODI. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA, and NHTSA publishes no sales volumes, so counts are not rates.
Model line
BMW 318
Every BMW 318 model year on file, 1984 to 2001. Pick a year for its recalls, investigations, service bulletins and the full text of owner complaints.
Owner complaints, all model years11821 involved a crash, fire, injury or death
Model years161984 to 2001
Recall campaigns7Distinct campaigns listing it
Service bulletins33Summed across model years
Components
Engine and cooling leads the BMW 318 complaint record
Owner complaints across all model years, by component.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Model years
The record for each BMW 318 model year
Peer index compares complaints with the median vehicle of the same model year and body class (100 is the median). It corrects for age, not for how many were sold.
| Year | Body | Complaints | Severity index | Peer index | Recalls | Investigations | Bulletins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Convertible | 6 | 16.7 | 55 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 1998 | Not decoded | 3 | 66.7 | 300 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1997 | Hatchback | 5 | 20.0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1996 | Not decoded | 5 | 20.0 | 500 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 1995 | Not decoded | 19 | 31.6 | 1,900 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| 1994 | Sedan | 20 | 10.0 | 125 | 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 1993 | Coupe | 17 | 11.8 | 103 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 1992 | Sedan | 16 | 6.3 | 89 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| 1991 | Sedan | 21 | 19.0 | 111 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 1990 | Motorcycle | 1 | 0.0 | 100 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 1989 | Not decoded | 0 | None | None | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | Not decoded | 0 | None | None | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | Not decoded | 0 | None | None | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | Not decoded | 0 | None | None | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1985 | Not decoded | 2 | 0.0 | 200 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | Sedan | 3 | 33.3 | 86 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI. Body class from NHTSA's VIN decoder where decoded.
Latest recalls
Recent campaigns covering the BMW 318
- 94V-066 Apr 11, 1994
Feed fuel hoses can harden and "set" over time, allowing a seepage of fuel at the connection between the hose and the engine fitting
Fuel system · 116k vehicles - 94V-037 Feb 17, 1994
Adhesive material of the two piece throttle body heater migrates into the circulation chamber causing build up of impurities and restriction of…
Fuel system · 24k vehicles - 93V-015 Feb 1, 1993
Malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system…
Visibility and wipers · 375k vehicles - 91V-219 Dec 17, 1991
Crankcase ventilation system, vented into the intake tract of the engine at the bellows boot ahead of the throttle housing, allows warm water…
Speed control · 15k vehicles - 86V-138 Oct 20, 1986
Two parts of the steering column disengagement element could completely disconnect if the car contacts an object in the roadway or elsewhere of…
Steering · 120k vehicles - 85V-058 May 6, 1985
Idle control valve which controls idle speed by varying the amount of intake air that bypasses the throttle plate is subject to backfire into the…
Fuel system · 11k vehicles - 84V-107 Sep 11, 1984
Water control valve in the heating system may not close completely
Visibility and wipers · 4,748 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.