Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 1994 BMW 318I with NHTSA between 1998 and 2012.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
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 — 58
Against the median year of the BMW 318I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 82
15.8% 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 1994 BMW 318I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
736.8%
Electrical System
315.8%
Fuel & Propulsion
210.5%
Body & Structure
210.5%
Transmission & Drivetrain
210.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 120,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.3%
Brakes
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 120,000 mi
Airbags
15.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires
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 1998peak 2Dec 2012
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 120,000 milesDavenport, IACrash
POWER TRAIN
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED UP TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. MY BROTHER SAT IN THE CAR AND SMOKED A CIGARETTE BEFORE GOING TO HIS APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE RETURNED FROM HIS APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, HE REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, ACROSS A BUSY TWO-WAY MAIN ROAD IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE CITY AND HIT THE WALL OF THE AT&T BUILDING. THANK GOD NO PEDESTRIAN WAS WALKING DURING THIS TIME AND NO CAR WAS PASSING BY. MY INSURANCE PAID $12,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE BUILDING OWNER AND THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR WAS MASSIVE. MY PREMIUM INCREASED DUE TO THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE AT THE TIME, BMW STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE HAND BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE AND THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE EVER HAD WITH IT WAS HAVING TO GET THE HAND BRAKE ADJUSTED PERIODICALLY BECAUSE IT KEPT SLIPPING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL EVEN WHILE EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #10489268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesDavenport, IACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED UP TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. MY BROTHER SAT IN THE CAR AND SMOKED A CIGARETTE BEFORE GOING TO HIS APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE RETURNED FROM HIS APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, HE REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, ACROSS A BUSY TWO-WAY MAIN ROAD IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE CITY AND HIT THE WALL OF THE AT&T BUILDING. THANK GOD NO PEDESTRIAN WAS WALKING DURING THIS TIME AND NO CAR WAS PASSING BY. MY INSURANCE PAID $12,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE BUILDING OWNER AND THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR WAS MASSIVE. MY PREMIUM INCREASED DUE TO THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE AT THE TIME, BMW STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE HAND BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE AND THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE EVER HAD WITH IT WAS HAVING TO GET THE HAND BRAKE ADJUSTED PERIODICALLY BECAUSE IT KEPT SLIPPING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL EVEN WHILE EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #10489268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH HEAD-ON COLLISION, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WILL HAVE VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #835637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesDavenport, IACrash
POWER TRAIN
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED UP TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. MY BROTHER SAT IN THE CAR AND SMOKED A CIGARETTE BEFORE GOING TO HIS APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE RETURNED FROM HIS APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, HE REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, ACROSS A BUSY TWO-WAY MAIN ROAD IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE CITY AND HIT THE WALL OF THE AT&T BUILDING. THANK GOD NO PEDESTRIAN WAS WALKING DURING THIS TIME AND NO CAR WAS PASSING BY. MY INSURANCE PAID $12,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE BUILDING OWNER AND THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR WAS MASSIVE. MY PREMIUM INCREASED DUE TO THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE AT THE TIME, BMW STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE HAND BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE AND THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE EVER HAD WITH IT WAS HAVING TO GET THE HAND BRAKE ADJUSTED PERIODICALLY BECAUSE IT KEPT SLIPPING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL EVEN WHILE EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #10489268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesDavenport, IACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT HILL AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS PULLED UP TO ITS FULL CAPACITY. MY BROTHER SAT IN THE CAR AND SMOKED A CIGARETTE BEFORE GOING TO HIS APPOINTMENT. AFTER HE RETURNED FROM HIS APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FOUND. AFTER LOOKING AROUND, HE REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ROLLED DOWN THE HILL, ACROSS A BUSY TWO-WAY MAIN ROAD IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OF THE CITY AND HIT THE WALL OF THE AT&T BUILDING. THANK GOD NO PEDESTRIAN WAS WALKING DURING THIS TIME AND NO CAR WAS PASSING BY. MY INSURANCE PAID $12,000 IN DAMAGES TO THE BUILDING OWNER AND THE DAMAGES TO THE CAR WAS MASSIVE. MY PREMIUM INCREASED DUE TO THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE AT THE TIME, BMW STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE HAND BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN TIP TOP SHAPE AND THE ONLY ISSUE I HAVE EVER HAD WITH IT WAS HAVING TO GET THE HAND BRAKE ADJUSTED PERIODICALLY BECAUSE IT KEPT SLIPPING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL EVEN WHILE EXTENDED.
NHTSA complaint #10489268 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manassa, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE OVERHEATED RANDOMLY. THE ENGINE HEAD WAS REPLACED TWICE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE REPAIRS WERE COSTLY. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP REIMBURSED THE CONSUMER FOR ONE REPAIR, BUT WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN. CONSUMER STATE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE OVERHEATED. THE ENTIRE HEAD OF THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE DEALER DID NOT STATE THE REASON FOR THE VEHICLE OVERHEATING.
NHTSA complaint #10132605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamaica, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LEAKAGES FROM THE UPPER RETURN LINES. DEALER MAKING REPAIRS. *AK DEALER CLAIMS IT WAS NEXT TO THE STARTER. ALSO CLAIMS IT WAS FIXED, HOWEVER IT IS NOT.
NHTSA complaint #8009807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
OLD Hickory, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
INITIAL THROTTLE RECALL (NHTSE #97V131000) PERFORMED 5-13-98. PROBLEMS RELATING TO CRUISE CONTROL/BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE. (PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE IRREGULARITIES IN SEVERAL FIELDS OF THE QUESTIONAIRE THAT SHOW UP INCORRECTLY ON THE FINAL CHART.)
NHTSA complaint #758915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
INTERIOR DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLIES ON 3 (THREE) SECTIONS OF THE VEHICLE HAVE DETACHED - IN THE EVENT OF ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE! ALSO, FLAWED DOOR PANEL ASSEMBLIES MAKE ENTERY/EGRESS FROM VEHICLE DIFFICULT/DANGEROUS.
NHTSA complaint #751540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasadena, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TEMPERATURE GUAGE RISES AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT SPILL ENGINE OVERHEATS ENGINE STALLS I REALLY DON'T EXPECT THIS ON A BMW WHY DON'T HELP US WITH THE PROBLEM I'M REALLY DISAPOINTED THEY JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #749542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pasadena, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TEMPERATURE GUAGE RISES AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF COOLANT SPILL ENGINE OVERHEATS ENGINE STALLS I REALLY DON'T EXPECT THIS ON A BMW WHY DON'T HELP US WITH THE PROBLEM I'M REALLY DISAPOINTED THEY JUST IGNORE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #749542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WOULD BE DRIVING AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT FROM FIRST INTO 2ND GEAR. WOULD GET HUNG UP IN FIRST. THEN, IT WOULD SUDDENLY JERK AND SHIFT INTO 2ND. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM OF SHIFTING WAS REPAIRABLE.
NHTSA complaint #890050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND RED LIGHT CAME ON, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET CONTAINED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE HEAD, CONSUMER WAS ALSO ADVISED BY REPUTABLE BMW DEALERS THAT VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH A FAULTY PART CALLED THE PROFILE GASKET AND IT IS WELL KNOWN, BUT MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS TWICE, THE FIRST REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE RADIATOR AND ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL ON RADIATOR CAP.
NHTSA complaint #560955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND RED LIGHT CAME ON, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET CONTAINED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE HEAD, CONSUMER WAS ALSO ADVISED BY REPUTABLE BMW DEALERS THAT VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH A FAULTY PART CALLED THE PROFILE GASKET AND IT IS WELL KNOWN, BUT MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS TWICE, THE FIRST REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE RADIATOR AND ALSO THERE WAS A RECALL ON RADIATOR CAP.
NHTSA complaint #560955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Rochelle, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THE OVER-HEATING LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER FOUND HEAD GASKET TO BE CRACKED, CONSUMER SAYS THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW TO THE PROFILE GASKET WHICH CAN LEAK AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #556440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chino Hill, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO A CAR WASH WHEN CONTROL BOX GOT WET, THEN THE FUEL INJECTOR FROZE OPEN, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. CAR SPILLED GASOLINE ALL OVER THE GROUND. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO START VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR WHEN A CAR WASH ATTENDANT CAME OUT AND TOLD HER NOT TO START VEHICLE BECAUSE IT MIGHT BLOW UP. PRIOR CARS OF 1994 BMW HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #863739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CONSUMER TOOK CAR TO A CAR WASH WHEN CONTROL BOX GOT WET, THEN THE FUEL INJECTOR FROZE OPEN, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK ONTO THE ENGINE. CAR SPILLED GASOLINE ALL OVER THE GROUND. CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO START VEHICLE WHEN THE CAR WHEN A CAR WASH ATTENDANT CAME OUT AND TOLD HER NOT TO START VEHICLE BECAUSE IT MIGHT BLOW UP. PRIOR CARS OF 1994 BMW HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #863739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
THE CAR KEEPS STALLING OUT WHEN I AM AT A STOP, STARTS RIGHT UP AGAIN AND IS FINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN STALLS AGAIN (MAY BE DAYS LATER). DEALER IS CLAIMING IT'S THE ALTERNATOR.
NHTSA complaint #712774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holywood, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
WHEN ONSUMER'S SON GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND LOCKED DOORS MANUALLY. THEN TRIED TO TURN ON ENGINE, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. DRIVER TRIED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, AND HE COULDN'T BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. SOMEHOW HE OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND GOT OUT. THEN UNLOCKED DOOR WITH KEY.
NHTSA complaint #846685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Holywood, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
WHEN ONSUMER'S SON GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND LOCKED DOORS MANUALLY. THEN TRIED TO TURN ON ENGINE, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. DRIVER TRIED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, AND HE COULDN'T BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. SOMEHOW HE OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND GOT OUT. THEN UNLOCKED DOOR WITH KEY.
NHTSA complaint #846685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, NYCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH HEAD-ON COLLISION, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WILL HAVE VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #835637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Longwood, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
VEHICLE HAS HAD CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN, UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #512058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.