The 1991 BMW 318 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 506,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 47 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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.
VISIBILITY93V0150001993-02-01375,000 affected
Defect
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence
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…
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
12
1crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
3crashes3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
SEATS
2
2crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
1
Total complaints47
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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”
“Vehicle was involved in a collision. Immediately after impact, vehicle began to leak anti-freeze due to dfective engine profile gasket.”
“Engine profile gasket malfunctioned, causing engine to overheat, resulting in coolant leaking from under vehicle. *ak”
“Timing case profile gasket malfunctioned due to manufacturer's defective parts. *ak”
“Timing case profile gasket failed, causing coolant to leak. *ak”
“Head gasket failed.”
“Radiator failed.”
“Engine gaske tfailed, causing loss of engine coolant. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA92017 Opened 1992-06-02 · closed 1993-03-30
HEATER CORE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationEA95013 Opened 1995-03-31 · closed 1996-07-15
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 BMW 318 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.