no report yet
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
Risk. IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY…
1992 BMW 318iProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 1992 BMW 318i, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 10, 2004. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1992 BMW 318i has problems
8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
5Engine and engine cooling
1Air bags
1Electrical system
1Vehicle speed control
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
1992 BMW 318i 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
Vehicle speed control
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN.
no report yet
Air bags: frontal
Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK.
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 318i 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 318i median. How we score
'84'85'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'01'03
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What 318i owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE PROFILE HEAD GASKET IS A WIDELY REPORTED DEFECT ON BMW 318I ENGINES. FOR ME ITS A SERIOUS PROBLME NOW THAT THIS IS THE SECOND HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. THE FIRST WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, THE SECOND MAY OR MAY NOT BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN ANNY EVENT THE REPAIR WORK HAS NOT YET BEEN DONE.…
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED COOLANT LOSS AND LOW COOLANT LEVELS BUT THE TEMPERATURE GUAGE DID NOT RISE ABOVE NORMAL. LOSS WAS DUE TO ENGINE GASKET FAILURE.
PROFILE GASKET FAILURE. THE PART FAILS ON ALL M42 ENGINES PRODUCED BY BMW BETWEEN 1991 AND 1992. WAS MADE AWARE VIA TECHNICAL BULLLETIN SENT TO DEALERS. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED.
Own a 1992 318i?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.