no report yet
Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk. FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO…
1992 BMW 318Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 1992 BMW 318, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 10, 2004. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1992 BMW 318 has problems
16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
8Engine and engine cooling
2Parking brake1 crash/fire/injury
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Power train
1Service brakes, hydraulic
1Vehicle speed control
1Electrical system
1Visibility
1Fuel system, other
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 2 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system, other | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
1992 BMW 318 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
Risk. IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
no report yet
Defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core
Risk. VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A…
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. IF THE THROTTLE PLATE IS PREVENTED FROM CLOSING, THEREIS AN INCREASE IN IDLE SPEED AS WELL AS SLOWER THAN NORMAL DECELERATION, WHICHOCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
1992 vs. every other 318 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 318 median. How we score
'84'85'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'01
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1992 BMW 318, and the recalls they led to.
- HEATER CORE FAILURELed to recall 93V-015
- AIR BAG WIRING FAILURELed to recall 96V-110
In owners' words
What 318 owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
VEHICLES HAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT FROM THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER-BMW HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS PROBLEM. *AK
THE AFFECTED GASKET IS KNOWN TO BE OF A DEFECTIVE NATURE AND IS PRONE TO FAILURE AT SOME POINT IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT. THE ORIGINAL PART AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE REFERENCED IN A BMW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 11 10 93 (3885). THUS FAR, BMW HAS CHOSEN…
TIMING CASE PROFILE GASKET FAILED, ALLOWING A SUDDEN AND IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF MOST OR ALL OF THE COOLANT (RADIATOR) WHILE TRAVELING.
Own a 1992 318?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.