Model year record

1991 BMW 318i recalls & problems

The 1991 BMW 318i has 1 safety recall and 8 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (4 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints8filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsApr 10, 1991

Knee bolster

Recall 91V05400013,500 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: DURING TESTING, INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DRIVER-SIDE KNEE BOLSTER PREVENTED STEERING COLUMN FROM MOVING FORWARD AS DESIGNED TO ABSORB IMPACT ENERGY FROM DRIVER DUMMY.
Risk: CHEST DECELERATION EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LIMIT WHICHRESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
Fix: REPAIR THE KNEE BOLSTER TO ALLOW CLEARANCE AND AVOID IMPEDANCE OF STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT DURING FRONTAL IMPACT.

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.

Fuel economy

318i

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	4	0	—
Unknown or other	2	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	1	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Engine
ENGINE PROFILE GASKET FOR M42 ENGINE 4CYL, 16 VALVE HAS FAILED ALLOWING ALL COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK FROM ENGINE.*AK
Apr 26, 2004 · 71,117 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK. *JB THE COOLANT LEAKED FROM A FAULTY PROFILE GASKET. THE FAULTY GASKET WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL BUT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS AND REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER REVIEWED THE CASE AND DECIDED NOT TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAS THE OLD PART IN HER POSSESSION. *TS *NLM
Jun 23, 2003 · 68,881 miles
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WILL NOT LATCH AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WILL LATCH INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK MANUFACTUER AND DEALER UNWILLING TO HELP, CONSUMER REPLACED WITH SECOND HAND PARTS. *TT
Nov 1, 2001
Air bags › FrontalCrash
WHEN STRIKING A WALL HEAD-ON AT 40 MPH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Dec 8, 2000
Unknown or other
I HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE (BMW E30 M42) HAVE BEEN PLAQUED WITH THIS EXACT FAILURE. WITH SO MANY VEHICLES AFFECTED ISN'T A RECALL IN ORDER? THIS REPAIR/FIX COST ME $1258.43 AND BMW KNEW THE PROBLEM EXISTED!
Feb 26, 1999
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. *AK
Jul 18, 2000
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
ENGINE GASKET FAILURE.
Jan 20, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKETS FAILED WHICH IN TURN RELEASES ALL COOLANT IN THE SYSTEM.
Nov 16, 1996

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