RoadVitals

1992 BMW 318

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest May 10, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
4
Latest Apr 11, 1994
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 16 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 BMW 318, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine847.1%
  • Brakes317.6%
  • Electrical15.9%
  • Fuel system15.9%
  • Interior & seats15.9%
  • Transmission15.9%
  • Visibility15.9%
  • Driver assistance15.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
94V066000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 11, 1994
116,300 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
The remedy: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
94V037000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM

Feb 17, 1994
23,500 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 PEDAL, CAUSING LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.
The risk: IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HEATER WITH A MODIFIED HEATER.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
93V015000

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE

Feb 1, 1993
375,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
The risk: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
The 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 COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA95013ClosedEngineering Analysis

AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE

Opened Mar 31, 1995
Closed Jul 15, 1996

There is no summary currently available

AIR BAGSLed to recall 96V110000
EA92017ClosedEngineering Analysis

HEATER CORE FAILURE

Opened Jun 2, 1992
Closed Mar 30, 1993

There is no summary currently available

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEMLed to recall 93V015000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 16
Interior & seats
Filed May 10, 2004

THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT LATCH PROPERLY. THE DOOR WILL NOT HOLD. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10073413
Brakes
Filed Apr 27, 2001

PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID
886964
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Electrical
Filed Apr 27, 2001

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH STARTER, SHE HAS TAKEN IT BACK TO DEALER TWICE ALREADY TO HAVE IT REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
886962
Incident
Jan 1, 2001
Engine
Filed Nov 6, 1998

THE AFFECTED GASKET IS KNOWN TO BE OF A DEFECTIVE NATURE AND IS PRONE TO FAILURE AT SOME POINT IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT. THE ORIGINAL PART AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE REFERENCED IN A BMW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 11 10 93 (3885). THUS FAR, BMW HAS CHOSEN ONLY TO EVALUATE EACH CASE INDIVIDUALLY AND SELECTIVELY REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS FOR VEHICLES WHICH ARE OUT OF WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
700360
Incident
Oct 31, 1998
Fuel system
Filed Aug 25, 1998

CLAMP AND HOSE FROM GASOLINE TANK FAILED.

NHTSA ID
539321
Incident
Aug 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Jul 14, 1997

VEHICLES HAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER-BMW HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
814141
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 1997

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN/ENGINE MAIN HEAD GASKET FAILED. *AK

NHTSA ID
517919
Incident
Jul 16, 1996
Engine
Filed Mar 20, 1997

A GASKET WEARS OUT IN THE ENGINE VALVE TRAIN, CAUSING COOLANT LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ID
515317
Incident
Nov 11, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

MSG0415

AIR BAGS

RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW

MSG1016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

120794(4116)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE WILL NOT START, PRIMARILY DURING COLD WEATHER OR HIGH ALTITUDE. *TW

120894(4117)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 318 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001600—
1998300—
1997500—
1996500—
1995190043.8
1994201042.1
1993172157.0
1992Viewing164253.7
1991213260.8
1990111—
1989011—
1988001—
1987001—
1986001—
1985222—
1984331—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.