Model year record

1996 BMW 318i recalls & problems

The 1996 BMW 318i has 1 safety recall and 3 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (2 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints3filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlAug 19, 1997

Vehicle speed control

Recall 97V131000410,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.

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 Convertible

23mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

318i Convertible

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.9 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal	2	2	0	1	—
Power trainManual transmission	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

Power train › Manual transmission
WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED GEARS, THE GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. *JB REPLACED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THROW-OUT BEARING DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR . *TT
May 8, 2003 · 26,653 miles
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, SHE HIT A CEMENT WALL AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB VEHICLE TOTALLED AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED.. *TT
May 1, 2002
Air bags › FrontalCrash
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND LOST CONTROL. HIT AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Aug 17, 1999

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