The 1992 BMW 318i has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 825,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING98V1780001998-08-04340,000 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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…
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS96V1100001996-07-0175,000 affected
Defect
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
Total complaints8
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Faulty profile gasket on 1992 bmw 318i engine. *ak”
“Onboard computer failed when got wet at a car wash.*ak”
“The profile head gasket is a widely reported defect on bmw 318i engines. For me its a serious problme now that this is the second head gasket to blow. The first was replaced under warranty, the second may or may not be replaced under warranty. In anny event the repair work has not yet been done.…”
“I have done some research over the internet for this problem and it appears to be a very common one. I am completely amazed that bmw is not covering this repair of this, even though they are aware of the defect.”
“Profile gasket failure. The part fails on all m42 engines produced by bmw between 1991 and 1992. Was made aware via technical bullletin sent to dealers. A recall needs to be issued.”
“Air bag contact ring on the driver's side broke. When the air bag warning light came on, vehicle was taken to the dealer where the ring was replaced at owner's expense. Vehicle not included in recall 96v110000 bmw/interior; passive restraint: air bag:driver. *ak *ml”
“Vehicle experienced coolant loss and low coolant levels but the temperature guage did not rise above normal. Loss was due to engine gasket failure.”
“When driving at 30 mph the vehicle surges, the engine races to high rpm and the vehicle cuts off without warning. Contacted the dealer, cause of problem was yet to be determined. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1992 BMW 318i as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.