RoadVitals

1992 BMW 318I

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.
8
Latest Jul 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.
3
Latest Aug 4, 1998
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 8 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1992 BMW 318I, most frequently naming the engine, airbags and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 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

  • Engine562.5%
  • Airbags112.5%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
98V178000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Aug 4, 1998
340,000 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
97V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Aug 19, 1997
410,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov
96V110000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Jul 1, 1996
75,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKEView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Engine
Filed Jul 10, 2004

FAULTY PROFILE GASKET ON 1992 BMW 318I ENGINE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10080772
Incident
Apr 15, 2004
Mileage
57,484 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 21, 2000

ONBOARD COMPUTER FAILED WHEN GOT WET AT A CAR WASH.*AK

NHTSA ID
725772
Incident
Jul 19, 2000
Airbags
Filed Jan 24, 2000

AIR BAG CONTACT RING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE RING WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V110000 BMW/INTERIOR; PASSIVE RESTRAINT: AIR BAG:DRIVER. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
855407
Incident
Feb 17, 1997
Engine
Filed Nov 18, 1998

THE PROFILE HEAD GASKET IS A WIDELY REPORTED DEFECT ON BMW 318I ENGINES. FOR ME ITS A SERIOUS PROBLME NOW THAT THIS IS THE SECOND HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. THE FIRST WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND MAY OR MAY NOT BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN ANNY EVENT THE REPAIR WORK HAS NOT YET BEEN DONE. BASED ON THE WEB PAGES I HAVE READ THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND BMW IS NOT REACTING PROPERLY. I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A CLASS-ACTION LAW SUIT TO MAKE THEM ACT PROPERLY FOR SUCH A MAJOR DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
700720
Incident
Nov 17, 1998
Engine
Filed Aug 18, 1998

PROFILE GASKET FAILURE. THE PART FAILS ON ALL M42 ENGINES PRODUCED BY BMW BETWEEN 1991 AND 1992. WAS MADE AWARE VIA TECHNICAL BULLLETIN SENT TO DEALERS. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED.

NHTSA ID
540101
Incident
May 1, 1998
Engine
Filed Jun 29, 1998

I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH OVER THE INTERNET FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ONE. I AM COMPLETELY AMAZED THAT BMW IS NOT COVERING THIS REPAIR OF THIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
537617
Incident
Jun 14, 1998
Driver assistance
Filed May 22, 1997

WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SURGES, THE ENGINE RACES TO HIGH RPM AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. CONTACTED THE DEALER, CAUSE OF PROBLEM WAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK

NHTSA ID
812463
Engine
Filed Feb 16, 1997

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED COOLANT LOSS AND LOW COOLANT LEVELS BUT THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE DID NOT RISE ABOVE NORMAL. LOSS WAS DUE TO ENGINE GASKET FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
546736
Incident
Nov 11, 1996

Manufacturer communications

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

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

12 14 97

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

M42 FAULT CODE 200/333. DME CONTROL UNIT MEMORY CHIP IS FAULTY. *AK

MSG1016

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *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 318I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2005000—
2003303—
2001400—
1998800—
1997510—
1996310—
1995142051.3
1994142049.1
1993112041.4
1992Viewing830—
1991810—
1985700—
1984500—

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.