RecallMyCar

BMW 318 Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 118 owner complaints across 13 model years of the BMW 318 (1984–2001). The most-complained-about year is 1991.

7
safety recalls, all years
118
owner complaints, all years
1992
year with most recalls
1991
year with most complaints

Pick your BMW 318 model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2001 BMW 31806
1998 BMW 31803
1997 BMW 31805
1996 BMW 31805
1995 BMW 318019
1994 BMW 318120
1993 BMW 318217
1992 BMW 318416
1991 BMW 318321
1990 BMW 31811
1989 BMW 31810
1985 BMW 31822
1984 BMW 31833

What BMW 318 owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 118 complaints with NHTSA. The 1991 model year has the most, with 21.

All BMW 318 recalls (7)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a BMW 318, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (fuel system)

    NHTSA 94V066000 Reported 116,300 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Feed fuel hoses can harden and "set" over time, allowing a seepage of fuel at the connection between the hose and the engine fitting. The clamp used to hold the hose to the fitting is unable to compensate for the hardening of the feed fuel hose.

    Remedy: A redesigned feed fuel hose and hose clamp will be installed to alleviate the fuel seepage.

    Model years: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

  2. Fuel injection system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 94V037000 Reported 23,500 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The adhesive material of the two piece throttle body heater migrates into the circulation chamber causing build up of impurities and restriction of flow within the chamber. This condition and water vapors from the crank that freezes at low ambient air temperatures prevents the throttle plate from closing as the driver releases the gas…

    Remedy: BMW dealers will replace the throttle body heater with a modified heater.

    Model years: 1992, 1993, 1994

  3. Heater core (visibility)

    NHTSA 93V015000 Reported 375,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system pressure.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a thermostatic bypass valve in the engine compartment to control coolant temperature in the heater core. Also, a new design radiator cap will be installed, to control pressure and provide greater…

    Model years: 1984, 1985, 1991, 1992

  4. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 91V219000 Reported 15,200 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The crankcase ventilation system, vented into the intake tract of the engine at the bellows boot ahead of the throttle housing, allows warm water vapor from the crankcase vent to condense and freeze in the colder bellows boot when the ambient air temperature is 15 degrees fahrenheit or less. The build up of ice can dislodge and move…

    Remedy: Replace the throttle housing with a version containing a modified heating system along with rerouting of the cvs hose. This will prevent ice build-up in the intake tract.

    Model years: 1991, 1992

  5. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 86V138000 Reported 120,261 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The two parts of the steering column disengagement element could completely disconnect if the car contacts an object in the roadway or elsewhere of sufficient mass to apply a significant force directly to the steering gearbox. Consequence of defect: steering control would be lost.

    Remedy: Bolt two specially formed plates to the disengagement element so that steering capability will be retained.

    Model years: 1985

  6. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 85V058000 Reported 11,000 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    The 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 intake manifold. Such backfire can damage the valve and cause the idle valve plate to remain open. Consequence of defect: this will result in abnormally high idle speed.

    Remedy: Install a redesigned idle control valve which can not stick open.

    Model years: 1984

  7. Electrical heating element (visibility)

    NHTSA 84V107000 Reported 4,748 vehicles potentially affected BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

    Water control valve in the heating system may not close completely. Excessive current may begin to flow through the wiring to the control valve resulting in overheating of the wiring.

    Remedy: Wiring to the valve will be replaced with a wire connector that has a fuse. The fuse will prevent the occurence of an electrical overload.

    Model years: 1984

Other BMW models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.