Owners have filed 26 complaints
about the 1994 BMW 318 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2001.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 63
Against the median year of the BMW 318. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 99
19.2% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
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.
Feb 1995peak 4May 2001
Recalls on the 1994 BMW 318
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.
United States — NHTSA
94V037000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THE ADHESIVE MATERIAL OF THE TWO PIECE THROTTLE BODY HEATER MIGRATES INTO THE CIRCULATION CHAMBER CAUSING BUILD UP OF IMPURITIES AND RESTRICTION OF FLOW WITHIN THE CHAMBER. THIS CONDITION AND WATER VAPORS FROM THE CRANK THAT FREEZES AT LOW AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES PREVENTS THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM CLOSING AS THE DRIVER RELEASES THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.
Risk: IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Washington, DCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT SPEEDS OF 30MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #808376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cherry HIL, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #489890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cherry HIL, NJCrash4 injured
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS FAILED IN ABOVE ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #489890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Charlotte, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
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.
NHTSA complaint #888956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #888956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Raleigh, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY DOWN POUR OR TAKING CAR TO THE CAR WASH, THE COMPUTER GETS WET WHICH WON'T ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO START. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER HAD THE COMPUTER REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #855790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lake Hiawatha, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM FOR MANY TIMES ( REPEATABLE ). I AM REALLY HOPING THAT YOU CAN HELP ME TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW ACCURATE LEVEL OF THE FUEL IN THE TANK. I HAVE TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS TO TRY TACKLE THIS PROBLEM AND SOLVE THEM; HOWEVER, I AM STILL EXPERIENCING IT RIGHT NOW. IT'S A QUALITY ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER FOR ME AND OTHER OWNER WHO MAY NOT WANT TO REPORT THIS MATTER TO YOU.
NHTSA complaint #714908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granada Hills, CA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DEFECTIVE SPOT WELDS AT THE FIREWALL AND DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAUSING CLUNKING NOISE. PROBLEM WAS SERVICED BUT UNABLE TO BE FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #513529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
BUMPER AROUND WINDSHIELD FLAKED OFF IN 3 YEARS. PRESENTLY, THE BUMPER IS GONE, AND WATER IS ENTERING INTO THE WIRING HARNESS, WHICH MAY CAUSE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #838081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
NHTSA complaint #701752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
NO SUMMARY PROVIDED BY CONSUMER
NHTSA complaint #701752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carlsbad, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROFILE GASKET FAILED, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. MUCH OF THE ANTIFREEZE LEAKED ONTO THE ROADWAY. OTHER GASKETS, ETC. ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED: VALVE COVER GASKETS, THERMOSTAT, INTAKE MANIFOLD GAS, THROTTLE BODY GASKET, EXHAUST PIPE GASKET, VALVE COVER GASKET, CHAIN TENSIONER, AND MORE. THE REPAIR BILL WAS $950 IN LABOR AND $426.00 IN PARTS. IN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THE NHTSA WEB SITE, I FOUND MANY OTHER BMW 318 OWNERS THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM; MOST OF THEM WITH 1993 MODELS. I SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #700846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma C, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
WATER LEAKING INTO THE E-BOX ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. BULLETIN 410393.
NHTSA complaint #541985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hermosa BE, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
PROFILE GASKET FAILED, LEAKING ALL OF THE COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #533802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AT SPEEDS OF 30MPH, THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #808376 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, 00
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #490799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO, 00
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. *DSH
NHTSA complaint #490799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springs PL, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #483014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tigard, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SKD
NHTSA complaint #489750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisc, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
PUT CAR IN REVERSE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN, OCCUPANTS WERE TRAPPED INSIDE. TT
NHTSA complaint #971143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden HOM, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #489625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garden HOM, OR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
INTERMITTENT STALLING.
NHTSA complaint #489926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cherry HIL, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED, CAUSING ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #489890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cherry HIL, NJCrash4 injured
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS FAILED IN ABOVE ACCIDENT, CAUSING INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #489890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wichita, KS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC FOR NO REASON. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
NHTSA complaint #966641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Leandro, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE EXPERIENCES TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHEN STARTING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TT
NHTSA complaint #959772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, POWER DOOR FAILURE. TT
NHTSA complaint #959739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, POWER DOOR FAILURE. TT
NHTSA complaint #959739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.