NHTSA Recall 98V178000: Cooling system (engine and engine cooling)
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE reported this safety recall to NHTSA on , covering an estimated 340,000 vehicles. It affects 36 models including the BMW 318I.
| NHTSA campaign | 98V178000 |
|---|---|
| Component | ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING › COOLING SYSTEM |
| Report received | August 4, 1998 |
| Owner notification | March 31, 1999 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Defect
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by the driver, it is possible that damage to, or failure of, a coolant system component could occur.
Safety risk
If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Notes
Owner notification began march 31, 1999. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Vehicles covered by recall 98V178000
Being listed here means the campaign covers the model year, not that every car was built with the defect or is still unrepaired. Enter your VIN above to check your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free at authorised dealers. Source: NHTSA, October 2026.