Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 1995 BMW 318I with NHTSA between 1997 and 2016.
The largest single group is the airbags.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 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 — 100
26.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
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 318I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
526.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 124,000 mi
Electrical System
315.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 358,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
210.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 358,000 mi
Other & Unspecified
15.3%
Seat Belts
15.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Wheels
15.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.3%
Median failure at 135,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
15.3%
Brakes
15.3%
Median failure at 124,000 miles
Steering
15.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.3%
Median failure at 36,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
15.3%
Median failure at 80,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
19.1%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
436.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
436.4%
150,000+ miles
218.2%
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.
Aug 1997peak 4Dec 2016
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Wakefield, RICrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE PULLING UP TO THE CURB TO LET A PASSENGER OUT DRIVER'S FRONT FLOOR MAT PUSHED UP AGAINST THE GAS PEDAL AND CAUSED CAR TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, BUT WITH THE FLOOR MAT PRESSED AGAINST THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, HITTING THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF IT. THE GAS PEDAL EXTENDS DOWN AND ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR SO THAT THE FLOOR MAT HAD NO PLACE TO GO, BUT AGAINST THE GAS PEDAL, IF IT GETS PUSHED FORWARD INADVERTANTLY AS IT DID IN THIS CASE.
NHTSA complaint #10066263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doraville, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR BOARDS FILL WITH WATER. THIS SHORTED OUT THE COMPUTER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10032514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeport, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT A LOW SPEED IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 358,000 milesCypress, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK AND CANNOT STOP AND RPM ARE RED LINING. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY I WAS PULLING INTO WORK TO PARK AND THAT'S WHEN THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP HIGH TO 500 RPM.
NHTSA complaint #10936301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 358,000 milesCypress, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK AND CANNOT STOP AND RPM ARE RED LINING. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY I WAS PULLING INTO WORK TO PARK AND THAT'S WHEN THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP HIGH TO 500 RPM.
NHTSA complaint #10936301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesNutley, NJ
SEAT BELTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 318I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 98V178000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. HE FIRST NOTICED THE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. AS A RESULT, HIS VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY , AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO THE FAILURE RECURRED ,AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE THE RECALL, AND THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 121,471, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDS A RING REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO REPAIR THE HORN WHICH IS INOPERABLE AND SEATBELT TENSION TO REPAIR AIRBAG LIGHT. UPDATED 05/23/07
NHTSA complaint #10189353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesNutley, NJ
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 318I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 98V178000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. HE FIRST NOTICED THE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. AS A RESULT, HIS VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY , AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO THE FAILURE RECURRED ,AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE THE RECALL, AND THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 121,471, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDS A RING REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO REPAIR THE HORN WHICH IS INOPERABLE AND SEATBELT TENSION TO REPAIR AIRBAG LIGHT. UPDATED 05/23/07
NHTSA complaint #10189353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesNutley, NJ
STEERING:COLUMN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 318I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 98V178000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. HE FIRST NOTICED THE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. AS A RESULT, HIS VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY , AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO THE FAILURE RECURRED ,AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE THE RECALL, AND THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 121,471, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDS A RING REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO REPAIR THE HORN WHICH IS INOPERABLE AND SEATBELT TENSION TO REPAIR AIRBAG LIGHT. UPDATED 05/23/07
NHTSA complaint #10189353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesNutley, NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 318I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 98V178000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. HE FIRST NOTICED THE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. AS A RESULT, HIS VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY , AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO THE FAILURE RECURRED ,AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT SERVICE THE RECALL, AND THAT THE VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 121,471, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *AK THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED THE INVOICE FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER STATES THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDS A RING REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN TO REPAIR THE HORN WHICH IS INOPERABLE AND SEATBELT TENSION TO REPAIR AIRBAG LIGHT. UPDATED 05/23/07
NHTSA complaint #10189353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,500 milesSAN Antonio, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. THE CAR, HOWEVER, CAN BE DRIVEN WITHOUT AN ISSUE. THE ABS LIGHT THEN DISAPPEARS AFTER ABOUT THREE MINUTES. THE DEALER HAS TWICE TURNED-OFF THE LIGHT BY RESETTING THE VEHICLE COMPUTER. BOTH TIMES AFTER THE THE DEALER "FIXED" THE PROBLEM AND A PERSON SEATS ON THE BACK SEAT THE LIGHT WILL AUTOMATICALLY COME ON AGAIN. FOR CLARIFICATION: I JUST IMPORTED MY (U.S. SPECIFICATIONS) VEHICLE FROM GERMANY BOTH OF THESE OCCURENCES TOOK PLACE IN THE COUNTRY OF GERMANY, HOWEVER THE PREVIOUS OWNER WARNED ME ABOUT THE DEFECT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE U.S.A. USA DEALER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED. AT THIS POINT I AM UNSURE THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10185315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesTuscaloosa, AL
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I HEARD NOISES COMING FROM AND GRINDING ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROLLING DOWN OF FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW ON MY 1995 BMW 318I. IT FINALLY FAILED TO PROPERLY UP AND I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF $500. AFTER CHECKING MESSAGE BOARDS ON-LINE I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. MANY PEOPLE STATED THAT THE REGULATORS HAD GONE OUT ON ALL OF THE WINDOWS ON VARIOUS BMW MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10108382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wakefield, RICrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE PULLING UP TO THE CURB TO LET A PASSENGER OUT DRIVER'S FRONT FLOOR MAT PUSHED UP AGAINST THE GAS PEDAL AND CAUSED CAR TO ACCELERATE. THE DRIVER STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR, BUT WITH THE FLOOR MAT PRESSED AGAINST THE GAS PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, HITTING THE VEHICLE PARKED IN FRONT OF IT. THE GAS PEDAL EXTENDS DOWN AND ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR SO THAT THE FLOOR MAT HAD NO PLACE TO GO, BUT AGAINST THE GAS PEDAL, IF IT GETS PUSHED FORWARD INADVERTANTLY AS IT DID IN THIS CASE.
NHTSA complaint #10066263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesMount Airy, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR ABS AND AIRBAGS FAILED AT 124,000 MILES. *LA
NHTSA complaint #10063442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesMount Airy, MD
AIR BAGS
ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR ABS AND AIRBAGS FAILED AT 124,000 MILES. *LA
NHTSA complaint #10063442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE STARTING VEHICLE. IT TAKES HER ABOUT 5-6 TIMES TURNING THE KEY BEFORE VEHICLE WILL START. IT SOUNDS AS IF THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #10063218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Doraville, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CONSUMER STATED UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR BOARDS FILL WITH WATER. THIS SHORTED OUT THE COMPUTER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10032514 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesMission Viejo, CA
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1995 BMW 318I AND HAS 37,000 MILES. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH M/T AND FIRST GEAR POPS OUT OF GEAR WHICH CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE BEHIND YOU TO HIT YOUR CAR. I HAVE HAD MECHANICS DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED BMW THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS DESIGN PROBLEM TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEIR WAS A SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED IN 1999 AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT.(PERFECT TIMING). I THINK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL CONSIDERING THE DANGER OF THIS ON THE OPEN ROAD. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10013736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bridgeport, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN HIT AT A LOW SPEED IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8023786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chandler, AZ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
NO SUMMARY LISTED FVOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #715142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gainsville, FL
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED AND LEAVES THE CAR DISFUNCTIONAL.DEALEER HAS YET TO BE CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #845838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS WILLL GO OFF AND THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO START THE VEHICLE UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID SOMETIMES THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT WOULD HIT THE GAS PEDAL, AND THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #818655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forestville, MD
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
OVERTIGHTENED LUG NUTS CAUSED BOLTS TO BE SEVERED.
NHTSA complaint #519180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.