Owners have filed 12 complaints
about the 1998 BMW 318I with NHTSA between 1999 and 2012.
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 — 37
Against the median year of the BMW 318I. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
25% 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 1998 BMW 318I
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Acceleration & Cruise Control
325.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 78,500 mi
Electrical System
325.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
216.7%
Other & Unspecified
18.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
18.3%
Airbags
18.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 91,000 mi
Engine & Cooling
18.3%
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 1999peak 4Sep 2012
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 91,000 milesMarrietta, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 318I. WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT WAS CRASHING INTO THE SECOND VEHICLE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE HORN JUST AS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE LEFT ARM, CAUSING HIS LEFT SHOULDER TO BECOME DISLODGED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE HORN WAS ALSO LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10476000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BMW IS CURRENTLY DENYING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST, DESPITE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 97V131000. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE REFUSING TO PROVIDE ANYTHING ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS STILL WARRANTIED. NO SUMMARY LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #740722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 91,000 milesMarrietta, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 318I. WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT WAS CRASHING INTO THE SECOND VEHICLE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE HORN JUST AS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE LEFT ARM, CAUSING HIS LEFT SHOULDER TO BECOME DISLODGED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE HORN WAS ALSO LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10476000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,500 milesDallas, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN EXPECTED. I WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO NHTSA RECALL NO.: 97V131.
NHTSA complaint #10138097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE KEY STARTED ROTATING IN IGNITION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND REMOVED KEY. ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. ONLY WAY TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE WAS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY. EMAIL: EDWARDSEAFELDT@HOTMAIL.COM
NHTSA complaint #10046916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EL Darado Hills, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND WENT TO PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START VEHICLE, SHE TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING, SHE DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT CYLINDER LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8001812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY REPLACED. MJS
NHTSA complaint #559680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, CT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED CONTINUALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ENGINE/THROTTLE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE INTERMITTENTLY AND EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL VEHICLE IS REPAIRED PROPERLY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #559680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED CONTINUALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ENGINE/THROTTLE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE INTERMITTENTLY AND EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL VEHICLE IS REPAIRED PROPERLY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #559680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #559680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Madison, WICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BMW IS CURRENTLY DENYING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST, DESPITE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 97V131000. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE REFUSING TO PROVIDE ANYTHING ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS STILL WARRANTIED. NO SUMMARY LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #740722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO AE 09063, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANS POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING (LOUD NOISE).
NHTSA complaint #732430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APO AE 09063, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANS POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING (LOUD NOISE).
NHTSA complaint #732430 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Grables, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE ISN'T ANY COVER FOR THE LUGGAGE THAT GOES OVER THE TRUNK LID WHICH VAPORS ARE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE, AND MAKING THE CONSUMER SICK.
NHTSA complaint #851785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.