1991 BMW 318
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1991 BMW 318. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1991 BMW 318. Newest first.
Feed fuel hoses can harden and "set" over time, allowing a seepage of fuel at the connection between the hose and the engine fitting. The clamp used to hold the hose to the fitting IS unable to compensate for the hardening of the feed fuel hose.
Risk and remedy
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 a source of ignition.
Remedy
A redesigned feed fuel hose and hose clamp will be installed to alleviate the fuel seepage.
The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system pressure.
Risk and remedy
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 coolant hose, (2) leakage of the radiator orexpansion tank, (3) disconnection of a hose from a pipe or a fitting, and (4)cracks in the heater core end piece resulting in coolant leakage. In some cases,boiling coolant can contact the lower right leg of the driver resulting inburns. Also, escaping coolant in the passenger compartment can cause vaporfogging of the interior surface of the windows, reducing driver visibility.
Remedy
Dealers will install a thermostatic bypass valve in the engine compartment to control coolant temperature in the heater core. also, a new design radiator cap will be installed, to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
The crankcase ventilation system, vented into the intake tract of the engine at the bellows boot ahead of the throttle housing, allows warm water vapor from the crankcase vent to condense and freeze in the colder bellows boot when the ambient air temperature IS 15 degrees fahrenheit or less. The build up of ice can dislodge and move into the throttle…
Risk and remedy
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 warning and could result in an accident.
Remedy
Replace the throttle housing with a version containing a modified heating system along with rerouting of the cvs hose. This will prevent ice build-up in the intake tract.
Owner complaints
21 complaints4 involved a crash4 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys · Equipment › Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc. · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors · Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Vehicle has blown two head gaskets.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Vehicle was involved in a collision. Immediately after impact, vehicle began to leak anti-freeze due to dfective engine profile gasket.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
While driving vehicle the consumer found out, vehicle was dripping coolin fluid. the consumer stopped and saw the cooling fluid was coming out of the radiator. dealer was contacted. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine profile gasket malfunctioned, causing engine to overheat, resulting in coolant leaking from under vehicle. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing case profile gasket malfunctioned due to manufacturer's defective parts. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Radiator failed.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Timing case profile gasket failed, causing coolant to leak. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Design defect concerning timing case profile gasket. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine gasket failure. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine gasket failed/replaced; also replaced water pump. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine gasket failed, resulting in a coolant leak. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine gaske tfailed, causing loss of engine coolant. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine head gasket failed, resulting in coolant leak. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Coolant system leak from front seal port of vehicles water pump. *Dsh
- Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Rear window shattered and has been replaced (3) times with cause undetected by kuni bmw-or. tt
- Air bags › Frontal
No deployment of driver's air bag during accident, resulting in injury. (attorney for client). *skd
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Seats › Front assembly › Recliner
No deployment of driver's air bag during two different accidents, resulting in injury. *skd
- Electrical system › Ignition · Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Intermittent stalling when stopping at lights/stop signs. *skd
- Electrical system › 12v/24v/48v battery · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly · Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Exterior lighting › Brake lights · Fuel system, gasoline · Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump · Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift · Power train › Axle assembly › Banjo housing · Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Pump · Steering › Rack and pinion › Rack · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system · Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
Wiper blades replaced.
- Air bags › Frontal · Seats
Frontal collision impact 11:00 position, lost control, hit again on 1:00 position, speed 40 mph, air bag did not deploy. tt
- Air bags › Frontal
Indicator light came on and airbag deployed by itself. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Air bag wiring failure
There is no summary currently available
- Heater core failure
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 50897Recall 96v111 - this recall campaign involves the brake light switch.
- 50896Recall 96v110 - BMW of north america has initiated a recall campaign which involves the airbag contact ring locking tab.
- 39562Various malfunctions of the "one touch" window operation.
- 39115Engine will not start.
Every BMW 318 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.