The 1996 BMW 318iC has 1 safety recall and 2 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (2 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints2filed by owners
Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 97V131000 · Aug 19, 1997 · 410,000 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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Seat belts Front › Anchorage; Front › Buckle assembly
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring
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
Sep 8, 2006Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly REPEATED INSTANCE OF SEAT BELT LOCK FAILURE AS RELATING TO AIR BAG. DRIVERS SIDE BRACKET HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES. IT SEEMS THE WIRING OR SWITCH KEEPS FAILING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON. ESPECIALLY TRUE AFTER HARD STOPS. SHOP SAYS AIR BAG MAY FAIL TO DEPLOY IF NOT REPAIRED. *JB
Jan 5, 2001Seat belts › Front › Anchorage THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE. NLM
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.