1996 BMW 318iProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 3 owner complaints about the 1996 BMW 318i, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)

Safety recalls1Free fix at dealers Owner complaints33 with a crash, fire or injury Top problem2Air bags

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 9, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 BMW 318i has problems

3 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

2Air bags2 crash/fire/injury

1Power train

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.

Complaints by system
System	Complaints	Crash, fire or injury
Air bags	2	2
Power train	1	0

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1996 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

Recall 97V-131 · Aug 19, 1997 · 410,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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

1996 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

5 7 8 8 11 14 14 3 5 8 4 3

'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 air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, SHE HIT A CEMENT WALL AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB VEHICLE TOTALLED AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED.. *TT
Complaint 8010793 · May 30, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND LOST CONTROL. HIT AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Complaint 846845 · Sep 3, 1999

Own a 1996 318i?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.