FaultScore report
Owners have filed 47 complaints about the 1991 BMW 318 with NHTSA between 1995 and 1997. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Not graded
Too few complaints, too short a model run, or older than 1993 — the year the federal file can first describe fairly.
How this is worked out47
Complaints
6
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
3
Safety recalls
Issued by NHTSA
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
3 crashes, 0 fires
2 crashes, 0 fires
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE
HEATER CORE FAILURE
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.
Risk: FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Risk: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM, VENTED INTO THE INTAKE TRACT OF THE ENGINE AT THE BELLOWS BOOT AHEAD OF THE THROTTLE HOUSING, ALLOWS WARM WATER VAPOR FROM THE CRANKCASE VENT TO CONDENSE AND FREEZE IN THE COLDER BELLOWS BOOT WHEN THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS. THE BUILD UP OF ICE CAN DISLODGE AND MOVE INTO THE THROTTLE HOUSING, PREVENTING THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM FULLY CLOSING WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE GAS PEDAL.
Risk: IF THE THROTTLE PLATE IS PREVENTED FROM CLOSING, THEREIS AN INCREASE IN IDLE SPEED AS WELL AS SLOWER THAN NORMAL DECELERATION, WHICHOCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER IMPACT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE DUE TO DFECTIVE ENGINE PROFILE GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #526567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING ACCIDENT, RESULTING IN INJURY. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT). *SKD
NHTSA complaint #482464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S AIR BAG DURING TWO DIFFERENT ACCIDENTS, RESULTING IN INJURY. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #489342 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
FRONTAL COLLISION, IMPACT 11:00 P0SITION, DRIVRER,S SIDE SEAT BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #963039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEATS
FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACT 11:00 POSITION, LOST CONTROL HIT AGAIN ON 1:00 POSITION SPEED 40 MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BROKE, LAP/SHOULDER.
NHTSA complaint #963039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACT 11:00 POSITION, LOST CONTROL, HIT AGAIN ON 1:00 POSITION, SPEED 40 MPH, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. TT
NHTSA complaint #963039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR CONNECTION SEPARATED/FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
THERMOSTAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
RIGHT WINDOW SWITCH FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE HAS BLOWN TWO HEAD GASKETS.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
ANTENNA BROKE OFF.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
BELTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
FOUR CYLINDER-HEAD COVER FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
FUEL INJECTORS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #521199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER IMPACT, VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK ANTI-FREEZE DUE TO DFECTIVE ENGINE PROFILE GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #526567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT, VEHICLE WAS DRIPPING COOLIN FLUID. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AND SAW THE COOLING FLUID WAS COMING OUT OF THE RADIATOR. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #816844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE PROFILE GASKET MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKING FROM UNDER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #521332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #517927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
RADIATOR FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #515225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
HEAD GASKET FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #515225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING COOLANT TO LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #602457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DESIGN DEFECT CONCERNING TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET.
NHTSA complaint #513939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE GASKET FAILED/REPLACED; ALSO REPLACED WATER PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #513374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE GASKET FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #513378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ENGINE GASKET FAILED/REPLACED; ALSO REPLACED WATER PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #513374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN A COOLANT LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #510860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE GASKE TFAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF ENGINE COOLANT.
NHTSA complaint #510508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILED, RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #506945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
COOLANT SYSTEM LEAK FROM FRONT SEAL PORT OF VEHICLES WATER PUMP. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #490676 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
REAR WINDOW SHATTERED AND HAS BEEN REPLACED (3) TIMES WITH CAUSE UNDETECTED BY KUNI BMW-OR. TT
NHTSA complaint #971281 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.