1993 BMW 318I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 1993 BMW 318I. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1993 BMW 318I. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
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 to a vehicle occupant.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
This could cause the throttle valve to remain partially open. it his were to occur, the car might not decelerate as expected increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
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.
Owner complaints
11 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
This common defect has struck my vehicle. this defect should be recalled, BMW acknowledges problem, but won't recall. No safety defect listed. *Ak
- Electrical system › Ignition · Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Unknown or other
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket failure causing coolant to leak. Yh
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
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
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Well known M42 engine profile gasket failure allows coolant to spill and renders vehicle undrivable without warning.
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator · Visibility › Power window devices and controls · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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…
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Head gasket leaks right above the air conditioning compressor. It leaks when the vehicle IS off and drains the radiator.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Engine gasket leaks water when vehicle IS off and will drain down to the level of the gasket.
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.
- 10249437The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
- 53501M42 fault code 200/333. Dme control unit memory chip IS faulty.
- 50679Wind noise diagnostics.
Every BMW 318I model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.