1997 Bmw 318I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
89,002 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 1 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 |
Electrical System: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 1; Tires:Tread/Belt: 1
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 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 1 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 |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 2; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10017115 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
BOARD LEVEL FAILURE ON AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT. FAILURE SO WIDESPREAD THAT NO OEM OR RENEWED PARTS DEALER HAS INVENTORY. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032370 · 2003-08-07 (August 7, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. ALSO STATED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED SHE COULD NOT TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND TO CALL THIS AGENCY AND REPORT IT. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 96,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10090217 · 2004-09-01 (September 1, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINED ON, AND EXHAUST FUMES WERE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL ON WEBSITE CONCERNING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OXYGEN SENSOR . NOT ABLE TO LOCATE THAT INFORMATION IN OUR DATA BASE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 89,002 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090217 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8017880 · 2002-09-04 (September 4, 2002)
ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, BMW, 318I WITH 30283 MILES. DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD NOISE COMING FROM PASSENGER'S REAR OF VEHICLE. TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED, CAUSING $ 4000.00 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE.*AK CONTINENTAL TOURING 205/60R15 91H CH95
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017880 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 1997-08-19 (August 19, 1997)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗