Bmw 318 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
147,244 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1984 to 2001 model years. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 57 complaints (14.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 6 | 10.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 7.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 5.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 5.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Module | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Air Bags: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Module: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 55 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 26 |
| 1996 | 11 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 10 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
1995: 26; 1996: 11; 2000: 1; 2001: 10; 2002: 2; 2003: 4; 2004: 2; 2011: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 483014 · 1995-08-14 (August 14, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 483014 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 489625 · 1995-05-03 (May 3, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *TW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 489625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959482 · 1995-02-02 (February 2, 1995)
PURCHASED CAR WITH BARE WIRE EXPOSED IN WIRING LOOM WHICH COULD CAUSE A FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 888956 · 2001-05-23 (May 23, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 888956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 886964 · 2001-04-27 (April 27, 2001)
PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK. DEALER IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 886964 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959802 · 1995-02-09 (February 9, 1995)
WHILE PARKED WITH BRAKE ON, EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959802 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 980691 · 1996-03-13 (March 13, 1996)
5-SPD MANUAL TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO 1ST GEAR WITHOUT DIFFICULTY WHICH IS NOW BECOMING MORE FREQUENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 980691 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959772 · 1995-02-08 (February 8, 1995)
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959772 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002365 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS IN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON TIME.THE CONSUMER STATES HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL THEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. ALSO PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AT 30MPH DURING IMPACT. CONSUMER ALSO STATES THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8009555 · 2002-05-09 (May 9, 2002)
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTS AROUND WHILE DRIVING, MAKING DRIVER LOSE PEDAL, AND STEERING CONTROL.*AK *MJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8009555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 979914 · 1996-02-29 (February 29, 1996)
THE FUMES OF GASOLINE SEEM TO BE DEGRADING THE PLASTIC MEMBRANE OF THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK (FUEL TANK IS BUBLING)*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 979914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 763662 · 2002-06-30 (June 30, 2002)
THE VEHICLE BEGAN BLOWING FUSES CAUSING MANY OF THE SYSTEMS TO QUITE FUNCTIONING. WE REPLACE WITH FUSES THE SAME SIZE AS IT ASK FOR AND IT STARTED MELTING FUSES CAUSING FUEL PUMP TO QUIT WORKING ADQUATELY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 763662 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 3 |
| 1992 | 4 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 |
| 1996 | 0 |
| 1997 | 0 |
| 2001 | 0 |
1985: 2; 1989: 1; 1990: 1; 1991: 3; 1992: 4; 1993: 2; 1994: 1; 1995: 0; 1996: 0; 1997: 0; 2001: 0