Owners have filed 28 complaints
about the 1995 BMW 318 with NHTSA between 1995 and 2003.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 1 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 — 68
Against the median year of the BMW 318. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
46.4% 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.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1995 BMW 318
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
725.0%
5 crashes, 0 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
517.9%
Equipment & Accessories
310.7%
Electrical System
310.7%
Seat Belts
27.1%
2 crashes, 0 fires
Lights
27.1%
Steering
27.1%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Engine & Cooling
27.1%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Seats
13.6%
Tires
13.6%
When owners complained
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.
Oct 1995peak 6Aug 2003
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Sugar Land, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
NHTSA complaint #10002365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Land, TXCrash
SEAT BELTS
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
NHTSA complaint #10002365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN A CAR AHEAD STOPPED. RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BMW INVESTIGATOR SAID AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OFF. *AK DRIVER'S HEAD SMASHED HIS HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxnard, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS, WERE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #802728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxnard, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS, WERE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #802728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CACrash
AIR BAGS
WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. *AK THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #804393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Hanover, MD
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
TAIL LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. CAUSE OF FAILURE IS UNDETERMINED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10034135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Land, TXCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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
NHTSA complaint #10002365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sugar Land, TXCrash
SEAT BELTS
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
NHTSA complaint #10002365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corpus Christi, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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.
NHTSA complaint #763662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Martin Ville, IN
SEATS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT SHIFTS AROUND WHILE DRIVING, MAKING DRIVER LOSE PEDAL, AND STEERING CONTROL.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8009555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainsville, FL
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #849925 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainsville, FL
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND REMAINS ILLUMINATED EVEN AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #849560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE AND SPEED OF FAILURE. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOWER SPEED. IT WOULD ALSO POP OUT OF GEAR ON THE ROAD. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ON WARRANTY, AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE JUST HEARD FROM ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE 318TI WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON BMW'S PART BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE DANGER OF HAVING YOUR TRANSMISSION GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #707899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richmond, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG: DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN A CAR AHEAD STOPPED. RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. BMW INVESTIGATOR SAID AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OFF. *AK DRIVER'S HEAD SMASHED HIS HEAD INTO THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #819657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montoursvi, PA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILS CAUSING HESITATION/JERKING.
NHTSA complaint #508073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montoursvi, PA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
PART TO HEADLIGHT LOOSE.
NHTSA complaint #508073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montoursvi, PA
STEERING
STEERING FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #508073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montoursvi, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
MANIFOLD NOISY.
NHTSA complaint #508073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montoursvi, PA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #508073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montoursvi, PA
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
EXPANSION VALVE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #508073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxnard, CACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS, WERE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #802728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxnard, CACrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DURING A FRONT IMPACT ACCIDENT, AT 30 MPH. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS, WERE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #802728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW City, NY
TIRES
THE TIRES ARE AFTER MARKET TIRE S( BRIDGESTONE BOIZZOAK) THERE IS A RUBBER DUST ON THE CAR FROM THE TIRE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .
NHTSA complaint #805805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CACrash
AIR BAGS
WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. *AK THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #804393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Mateo, CACrash
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
WHEN MAKING A TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. *AK THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #804393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #510678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #508142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NY
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #508142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austell, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #800434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.