Model year record

1991 BMW 318iS recalls & problems

The 1991 BMW 318iS has 1 safety recall and 6 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (6 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints6filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 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

318is

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

318is Convertible

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

318is

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	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	6	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer	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

Engine and engine cooling › Engine
THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED TWICE. *JB
Jan 1, 2003
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
THIS HAS BEEN A WIDELY REPORTED FAILURE ON EARLY 1990S 318 MODELS. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Mar 21, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILURE IS VERH HIGH FOR THE MOTOR. UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, WHICH LEAKS SLOWLY OR ALL AT ONCE IS DUE TO GASKETS DESIGN.
Nov 2, 2001
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEED, 65MPH, THE PROFILE GASKET IN MY ENGINE FAILED. LARGE AMOUNTS OF STEAM CAME OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND RESULTED IN A CONDITION OF ALMOST ZERO VISIBILITY. MY WINDSHIELD WAS COVERED WITH ANTIFREEZE AND I COULD NOT SEE THROUGHT HE STEAM. I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE.
Feb 24, 2000
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
ENGINE GASKET FAILURE, CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT ON THE ROADWAY UNDER THE DRIVING WHEELS.
Oct 1, 1998
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILURE IS VERH HIGH FOR THE MOTOR. UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT, WHICH LEAKS SLOWLY OR ALL AT ONCE IS DUE TO GASKETS DESIGN.
Sep 25, 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.