The 1991 BMW 318 has 3 safety recalls and 21 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (22 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints21filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
NHTSA recall 94V066000 · Apr 11, 1994 · 116,300 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
NHTSA recall 93V015000 · Feb 1, 1993 · 375,000 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
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.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 91V219000 · Dec 17, 1991 · 15,200 vehicles
Problem: 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 INTO THE THROTTLE HOUSING, PREVENTING THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM FULLY CLOSING WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE GAS PEDAL.
Risk: IF THE THROTTLE PLATE IS PREVENTED FROM CLOSING, THEREIS AN INCREASE IN IDLE SPEED AS WELL AS SLOWER THAN NORMAL DECELERATION, WHICHOCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system › Radiator assembly
22
1
0
1
—
Air bags Frontal
4
3
0
3
—
Electrical system 12v/24v/48v battery; Ignition
4
0
0
0
—
Visibility Windshield wiper/washer; Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Power train Axle assembly › Banjo housing; Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
2
0
0
0
—
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump; Rack and pinion › Rack
2
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Brake lights
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly
1
0
0
0
—
Equipment Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 28, 1997 · crash · 1 injuryEngine and engine cooling › Engine VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER IMPACT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE DUE TO DFECTIVE ENGINE PROFILE GASKET.
Sep 25, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT, VEHICLE WAS DRIPPING COOLIN FLUID. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AND SAW THE COOLING FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF THE RADIATOR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
Jun 20, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine ENGINE PROFILE GASKET MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE. *AK
Aug 28, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine VEHICLE HAS BLOWN TWO HEAD GASKETS.
May 9, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE PARTS. *AK
Dec 30, 1996Engine and engine cooling › Engine HEAD GASKET FAILED.
Jan 13, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK. *AK
Aug 1, 1996Engine and engine cooling › Engine DESIGN DEFECT CONCERNING TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET. *AK
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
EA95013 · opened Mar 31, 1995 · closed Jul 15, 1996 · led to recall 96V110000AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE There is no summary currently available
EA92017 · opened Jun 2, 1992 · closed Mar 30, 1993 · led to recall 93V015000HEATER CORE FAILURE There is no summary currently available