The 1994 BMW 318 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 23,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE ADHESIVE MATERIAL OF THE TWO PIECE THROTTLE BODY HEATER MIGRATES INTO THE CIRCULATION CHAMBER CAUSING BUILD UP OF IMPURITIES AND RESTRICTION OF FLOW WITHIN THE CHAMBER. THIS CONDITION AND WATER VAPORS FROM THE CRANK THAT FREEZES AT LOW AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES PREVENTS THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM CLOSING AS THE…
Consequence
IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HEATER WITH A MODIFIED HEATER.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
4
AIR BAGS
3
1crashes4injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
Total complaints26
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“When there is a heavy down pour or taking car to the car wash, the computer gets wet which won't allow the vehicle to start. Contacted dealer. Dealer had the computer replaced. *ak”
“No summary provided by consumer”
“No summary provided by consumer”
“Profile gasket failed, causing the engine to overheat. Much of the antifreeze leaked onto the roadway. Other gaskets, etc. Also had to be replaced: valve cover gaskets, thermostat, intake manifold gas, throttle body gasket, exhaust pipe gasket, valve cover gasket, chain tensioner, and more. The…”
“Profile gasket failed, leaking all of the coolant from the engine.”
“During frontal impact at speeds of 30mph, the driver's and passenger's side air bags did not deploy. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1994 BMW 318 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.