1994 BMW 318I
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1994 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 1994 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
14 complaints2 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train · Service brakes
My vehicle was parked on a slight hill and the hand brake was pulled up to its full capacity. my brother sat in the car and smoked a cigarette before going to his appointment. after he returned from his appointment, the vehicle could not be found. after looking around, he realized that the…
My vehicle was parked on a slight hill and the hand brake was pulled up to its full capacity. my brother sat in the car and smoked a cigarette before going to his appointment. after he returned from his appointment, the vehicle could not be found. after looking around, he realized that the vehicle had rolled down the hill, across a busy two-way main road in the downtown area of the city and hit the wall of the at&t building. thank god no pedestrian was walking during this time and no car was passing by. my insurance paid $12,000 in damages to the building owner and the damages to the car was massive. my premium increased due to this incident because at the time, BMW stated that there were no recalls on the hand brake. the vehicle was in tip top shape and the only issue I have ever had with it was having to get the hand brake adjusted periodically because it kept slipping causing the vehicle to roll even while extended. *tr
- Engine and engine cooling
Dt: the contact stated vehicle overheated randomly. the engine head was replaced twice and needed to be replaced again. the repairs were costly. However, the dealership reimbursed the consumer for one repair, but will not do it again. consumer state while driving on the highway vehicle…
Dt: the contact stated vehicle overheated randomly. the engine head was replaced twice and needed to be replaced again. the repairs were costly. However, the dealership reimbursed the consumer for one repair, but will not do it again. consumer state while driving on the highway vehicle overheated. the entire head of the engine had to be replaced. the service dealer did not state the reason for the vehicle overheating. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery
Fuel leakages from the upper return lines. dealer making repairs. *Ak dealer claims it was next to the starter. also claims it was fixed, however it IS not. *jg
- Vehicle speed control
Initial throttle recall (nhtse #97v131000) performed 5-13-98. problems relating to cruise control/brake lights continue. (please note: there are irregularities in several fields of the questionaire that show up incorrectly on the final chart.)
- Structure › Body › Door
Interior door panel assemblies on 3 (three) sections of the vehicle have detached - in the event of accident, passengers may not be able to escape! Also, flawed door panel assemblies make entery/egress from vehicle difficult/dangerous.
- Engine and engine cooling · Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system
Temperature guage rises and a large amount of coolant spill engine overheats engine stalls I really don't expect this on a BMW why don't help us with the problem I'm really disapointed they just ignore the problem.
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Would be driving and vehicle failed to shift from first into 2ND gear. Would get hung up in first. Then, it would suddenly jerk and shift into 2ND. Taken to dealership, mechanic indicated problem of shifting was repairable.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system · Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving on expressway, vehicle began to overheat and red light came on, consumer had vehicle inspected and was advised that head gasket contained a crack which caused coolant to leak and caused severe damage to the engine head, consumer was also advised by reputable BMW dealers that vehicle…
While driving on expressway, vehicle began to overheat and red light came on, consumer had vehicle inspected and was advised that head gasket contained a crack which caused coolant to leak and caused severe damage to the engine head, consumer was also advised by reputable BMW dealers that vehicle was designed with a faulty part called the profile gasket and it IS well known, but manufacturer does not want to recognize it as a problem, consumer has also experienced cooling system problems twice, the first requiring the replacement of the entire radiator and also there was a recall on radiator cap. *jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
While driving the over-heating light came on, dealer found head gasket to be cracked, consumer says there was a design flaw to the profile gasket which can leak and over a period of time cause severe damage to the engine. *slc
- Electrical system › Ignition › Module · Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Injectors
Consumer took car to a car wash when control box got wet, then the fuel injector froze open, causing fuel to leak onto the engine. car spilled gasoline all over the ground. consumer was trying to start vehicle when the car when a car wash attendant came out and told her not to start vehicle because it might blow up. prior cars of 1994 BMW had this same problem. *ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
The car keeps stalling out when I am at a stop, starts right up again and IS fine for a period of time, then stalls again (may be days later). dealer IS claiming it's the alternator.
- Electrical system › Ignition › Switch · Structure › Body › Door
When onsumer's son got inside of vehicle and locked doors manually. Then tried to turn on engine, but the engine did not start. driver tried to get out of vehicle, and he couldn't because the door won't unlock. Somehow he opened the sun roof and got out. Then unlocked door with key. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle experienced an accident on icy road conditions. Upon impact of approximately 15-20 mph head-on collision, both air bags failed to deploy. Manufacturer notified and sent a representative to inspect the vehicle, and informed consumer that air bags should not deploy. Consumer will have vehicle available for inspection if needed. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Vehicle has had continued problems with engine shutting down, unable to determine cause.
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.
- 50692Transmission shudder.
- 50679Wind noise diagnostics.
- 50678Child airbag letter, warning label and safety reference card.
Every BMW 318I model year
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