Major Problems with BMW 318 Derived from Complaints & Recalls
Learn about the common problems with a used BMW 318 to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.
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BMW 318 complaint overview
- 74 recorded complaints across model years
- Years covered 1992–1998
- Most recorded categories ENGINE (17), FRONTAL (8), COOLING SYSTEM (6)
- Highest recorded count 18 in 1995, 1994
Complaint counts are reports, not confirmed defect rates. Older model years have had more time to accumulate reports, and sales volume and reporting coverage differ by year. A higher count does not by itself make a year the least reliable, and these figures are not a failure probability.
Compare two model years
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Best and Worst Years for BMW 318
Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of BMW 318.
| Model Year | Complaints |
| 1998 318 |
2
|
| 1997 318 |
3
|
| 1996 318 |
5
|
| 1995 318 |
18
|
| 1994 318 |
18
|
| 1993 318 |
16
|
| 1992 318 |
12
|
Worst 3 BMW 318 complaints
1993 BMW 318
FRONTAL
Victims: 4
1994 BMW 318
FRONTAL
Victims: 2
1995 BMW 318
AIR BAGS
Victims: 2
Browse BMW 318 complaints by category
Problems with ENGINE, FRONTAL and COOLING SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from BMW 318 owners.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
| ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine profile gasket failure causing loss of hot coolant resulting in a fog of white steam which could impair visibility. |
17
~ 75688 miles |
| FRONTAL > AIR BAGS upon frontal impact estimated speed 25-30 mph air bag failed to deploy. please describe details. tt... |
8
|
| COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the affected gasket is known to be of a defective nature and is prone to failure at some point in... |
6
|
| AIR BAGS antilock brakes failed causing accident. *aw... |
6
|
| AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN accelerator has stuck on various occasions. tt... |
4
|
| IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM intermittent stalling. *ak... |
3
|
| MODULE > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM intermittent stalling. *tw... |
3
|
| AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT transmission fails causing hesitation/jerking.... |
3
~ 75688 miles |
| TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE i have experienced the same problem for many times ( repeatable ). i am really hoping that you can help... |
3
~ 75688 miles |
| CONVENTIONAL > PARKING BRAKE parking brake does not work. dealer is not willing to do anything.*ak... |
2
|
| ANCHORAGE > FRONT > SEAT BELTS during a front impact accident at 30 mph. the driver's and passenger's side seat belts and air bags were inoperative. |
2
|
| BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS > GASOLINE > ENGINE the engine belts are under engineered and they disintegrate. please explain. tt... |
2
|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM electrical system failure power door failure. tt... |
2
|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL m/trans: accelerator sticks during cold weather engine speeds up even with brakes applied nearly caused rear end accident not included |
2
|
| STEERING transmission fails causing hesitation/jerking.... |
2
~ 218800 miles |
| FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM water leaking into the e-box on several occasions. bulletin 410393.... |
2
|
| TAIL LIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tail lights come on and off intermittently while traveling on the highway. cause of failure is undetermined at this time. |
1
|
| SEATS driver's side seat shifts around while driving making driver lose pedal and steering control.*ak *mj... |
1
|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the vehicle had a gas leak in the tank. the dealer was notified. *ak the consumer filled the gas tank... |
1
~ 75688 miles |
| SEAT BELTS consumer states while driving the vehicle was in accident with another vehicle. consumer states that the driver side air bag... |
1
|
| STARTER ASSEMBLY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM consumer is having problems with starter she has taken it back to dealer twice already to have it replaced.*ak... |
1
|
| RADIATOR ASSEMBLY > COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the consumer was driving and water pump/fan belt and radiator failed. *ak... |
1
|
| FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE no summary provided by consumer... |
1
|
| SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE > FRONTAL > AIR BAGS air bag safety light keeps going off. the manual states the system malfunctioned could prevent system from responding to a... |
1
|
| PEDALS AND LINKAGES > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC the vehicle's gas and brake pedals are too close together when thinking of stepping on the brakes driver is actually |
1
|
| STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING when making a turn the steering wheel locks up causing the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and crash. |
1
|
| MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN clutch/pressure plate failure.... |
1
|
| CLUTCH ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN clutch/pressure plate failure.... |
1
|
| ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT jack failure vehicle on jack due to a strong wind jack flew over only built on 3' design. *ak... |
1
|
| WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY bumper around windshield flaked off in 3 years. presently the bumper is gone and water is entering into the wiring |
1
|
| EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING car lost power while driving fire came from exhaust and burned bumper. tt... |
1
|
| DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE electrical system failure power door failure. tt... |
1
|
| ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL accelerator has stuck on various occasions. tt... |
1
|
| WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM purchased car with bare wire exposed in wiring loom which could cause a fire. tt... |
1
|
| ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC antilock brakes failed causing accident. *aw... |
1
|
| BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS seat belt buckle will not lock very hard to snap the buckle. tt... |
1
|
| FOUNDATION COMPONENTS > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC m/trans: accelerator sticks during cold weather engine speeds up even with brakes applied nearly caused rear end accident not included |
1
|
| LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES the drivers side front door will not latch properly. the door will not hold. please describe further. *jb... |
1
|
| TIRES the tires are after market tire s( bridgestone boizzoak) there is a rubber dust on the car from the tire |
1
|
| HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING transmission fails causing hesitation/jerking.... |
1
|
| FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY > MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN 5-spd manual transmission will not go into 1st gear without difficulty which is now becoming more frequent. please describe details. |
1
|
| MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING transmission fails causing hesitation/jerking.... |
1
|
| INJECTORS > FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE water drained into electronic control module causing an electrical shortage and resulting in vehicle stalling.also leaving fuel injectors open could |
1
|
| FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE defective spot welds at the firewall and driver's side door causing clunking noise. problem was serviced but unable to be |
1
|
FAQ
What year BMW 318 is the most reliable?
Speaking of the models produced in the last 7 years, BMW 318 models of 1998, 1997, 1996 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.
What year was a bad year for BMW 318?
BMW 318 models of 1994 and 1995 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.
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BMW 318 specs
Compare
Performance
| Engine |
| 0-60 times |
Exterior
| Wheels |
| Wheel Interchange |
| Bulbs |
| Dimensions |
Interior
| Speakers size |
Maintenance
| Towing Capacity |
| Gas tank size |
| Safety ratings |
| Complaints |
| Manuals |
| Mpg |