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1993 BMW 318isProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 13 owner complaints about the 1993 BMW 318is, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints131 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem9Engine and engine cooling

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 19, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1993 BMW 318is has problems

13 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling90
Electrical system20
Suspension11
Vehicle speed control10

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

2 recalls

1993 BMW 318is 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

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

Recall 98V-178 · Aug 4, 1998 · 340,000 vehicles

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…

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

1993 vs. every other 318is 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 318is median. How we score

'91'92'93'94'95'96'97
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What 318is owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THERE IS A COOLANT LEAK IN ENGINE BECAUSE AN INFERIOR FORM OF RUBBER SEALANT IS USED ON ENGINE. COOLANT GOES BACK INTO ENGINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THEY KNEW ABOUT LEAK AND ITS A FREQUENT PROBLEM, BUT NOT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK THE HEAD HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THE PROBLEM…
Complaint 897407 · Oct 5, 2001
WHILE DRIVING CAR OVERHEATED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET FAILURE. *AK
Complaint 849246 · Sep 29, 1999
WHEN THE GASKET GOES ALL OF THE COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR LEAKS OUT OF THE CAR, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. BECAUSE WATER IN THE COOLANT IS OUT OF THE CAR, IT IS NOTHING THAT THE CONSUMER CAN DO. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Complaint 824247 · Jun 12, 1998

Own a 1993 318is?

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