1993 BMW 318I: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 11 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine and engine cooling.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 1998
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“This common defect has struck my vehicle. This defect should be recalled, bmw acknowledges problem, but won't recall. No safety defect listed. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2002
“All coolant lost, suddenly & w/o warning; coolant lost into the environment; sudden engine temperature rise required dangerous emergency manouver to reach side of road before engine damage; following vehicles may have been damaged & drivers blinded by lost coolant”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 1999
“Vehicle had blown an engine head gasket at 46,000 miles.also, ignition was not working. Had no warning prior to seeing steam coming from under the hood. Shut vehicle down & then restarted. Engine check light still came back on. *ak”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 1998
Show 5 more owner reports
“Timing case profile gasket had catastrophic failure. All coolant was lost. Complete damage (warped head, etc) unknown at this time. Dealer estimates $1000 to repair gasket. This is a well known problem with this vehicle (as I have recently discovered). Bmw hasn't issued a recall. Since these usually go bad after the warranty period, bmw should issue a recall. Bmw has a reputation for quality cars. In this case they have a defective product and it's costing consumers many dollars due to their design flaws. If bmw willn't voluantarily issue a recall notice then NHTSA please assist us consumers and put pressure on them to do so.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 1998
“Alternator had to be replaced, along with regulator. Power windows and sunroof stopped working shortly after that. Is there some electrical problem with this car that would have caused the alternator to short out.”Owner report · Visibility · Jun 1998
“Water leaks out of the engine gasket right above the air conditioning compressor. It leaks when the vehicle is off and will drain the radiator down to the level of the gasket.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1998
“Water leaks out of the engine gasket right above the air conditioning compressor. It leaks when the vehicle is off and will drain the radiator down to the level of the gasket.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1998
“Head gasket leaks right above the air conditioning compressor. It leaks when the vehicle is off and drains the radiator.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1998
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1993 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 318I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1993 BMW 318I reliable?
NHTSA has 11 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1993 BMW 318I. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling.
Does the 1993 BMW 318I have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:cooling system. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.