The 1993 BMW 318 has 2 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (13 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints17filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system
NHTSA recall 94V037000 · Feb 17, 1994 · 23,500 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HEATER WITH A MODIFIED HEATER.
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; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
13
0
0
0
—
Air bags Frontal
2
2
0
5
—
Electrical system Wiring
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Buckle assembly
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
Mar 11, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system ENGINE LOST COOLANT, ENGINE MELTED, REPLACED ENGINE. *AK
Feb 23, 1999Engine and engine cooling › Engine PROFILE GASKET LEAK.
Mar 5, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Engine ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED.
May 6, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Engine ENGINE TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY VEER FROM THE THIRD LANE TO THE SHOULDER BY THE FIRST LANE.
Jun 1, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine PROFILE CASE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING ALL ENGINE FLUID TO SPILL ONTO FREEWAY AT SPEED. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK
Aug 30, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine PROFILE GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF ANTI-FREEZE. *AK
May 16, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine PROFILE GASKET FAILED DUE TO DESIGN PROBLEM, CAUSING COOLANT LEAKS. *AK
Aug 19, 1997Engine and engine cooling › Engine WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE ENGINE TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT.OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *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