BMW 318I vs Lexus ES330
Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.
Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.
| Measure | BMW 318I | Lexus ES330 |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints on file | 113 | 282 |
| Model years covered | 1984–2003 | 2004–2010 |
| Worst model year | 1994 | 2005 |
| Best model year | 1993 | 2004 |
| Crashes reported | 11 | 80 |
| Fires reported | 4 | 6 |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 32 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 |
| Most complained-about part | Engine & Cooling | Acceleration & Cruise Control |
| Share of complaints involving harm | 19.5% | 42.2% |
BMW 318I by year
What breaks
Engine & Cooling
35
31.0%
Electrical System
17
15.0%
Airbags
11
9.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
9
8.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
7
6.2%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
7
6.2%
Fuel & Propulsion
6
5.3%
Brakes
5
4.4%
Lexus ES330 by year
What breaks
Acceleration & Cruise Control
76
27.0%
Transmission & Drivetrain
54
19.1%
Airbags
50
17.7%
Engine & Cooling
19
6.7%
Brakes
19
6.7%
Electrical System
11
3.9%
Steering
10
3.5%
Fuel & Propulsion
8
2.8%