Model year record

1994 BMW 318 recalls & problems

The 1994 BMW 318 has 1 safety recall and 20 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints20filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Fuel system, gasolineFeb 17, 1994

Fuel injection system

Recall 94V03700023,500 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	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition; Ignition › Module	10	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	2	6	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	3	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Storage › Tank assembly	3	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members	2	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	1	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	1	1	0	—
VisibilityWindshield	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › Ignition › Module
WATER DRAINED INTO ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE, AND RESULTING IN VEHICLE STALLING.ALSO, LEAVING FUEL INJECTORS OPEN, COULD CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
May 23, 2001
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY DOWN POUR OR TAKING CAR TO THE CAR WASH, THE COMPUTER GETS WET WHICH WON'T ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAD THE COMPUTER REPLACED. *AK
Jun 15, 1999
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MANY TIMES ( REPEATABLE ). I AM REALLY HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP ME TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW ACCURATE LEVEL OF THE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO TRY TACKLE THIS PROBLEM AND SOLVE THEM; HOWEVER, I AM STILL EXPERIENCING IT RIGHT NOW. IT'S A QUALITY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER FOR ME AND OTHER OWNER WHO MAY NOT WANT TO REPORT THIS MATTER TO YOU. *AK
Nov 17, 1999
Visibility › Windshield
BUMPER AROUND WINDSHIELD FLAKED OFF IN 3 YEARS. PRESENTLY, THE BUMPER IS GONE, AND WATER IS ENTERING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Jan 1, 1996
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
Dec 31, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MUCH OF THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKED ONTO THE ROADWAY. OTHER GASKETS, ETC. ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED: VALVE COVER GASKETS, THERMOSTAT, INTAKE MANIFOLD GAS, THROTTLE BODY GASKET, EXHAUST PIPE GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, CHAIN TENSIONER, AND MORE. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $950 IN LABOR AND $426.00 IN PARTS. IN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THE NHTSA WEB SITE, I FOUND MANY OTHER BMW 318 OWNERS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM; MOST OF THEM WITH 1993 MODELS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
Nov 16, 1998
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
WATER LEAKING INTO THE E-BOX ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. BULLETIN 410393.
Oct 15, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
PROFILE GASKET FAILED, LEAKING ALL OF THE COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE.
Jan 5, 1998

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.