The 1995 BMW 318ic has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 755,200 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. 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.
EQUIPMENT95V0710001995-04-035,200 affected
Defect
AN OVERSTATEMENT WAS MADE OF THE VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY AND DESIGNATED SEATING CAPACITY ON THE TIRE INFORMATION PLACARD. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence
CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: LOADING OF THE VEHICLE BEYOND THE CAPACITY WEIGHT CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A REVISED PLACARD CONTAING THE CORRECT VEHICLE AND DESIGNATED SEATING CAPACITIES AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THE PLACARD ON THEIR VEHICLES. IF OWNERS PREFER, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE PLACARD FOR THEM.
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
1fires1injuries
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
Total complaints6
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I purchased a 318ic from a used car lot and the vehicle caught fire. I have obtained information on the vehicle which the dealer should have made me aware of, including recall information. The recall and the information was not disclosed. The vehicle caught fire as a result of the obtained…”
“When cruise control is set the only way to turn off is to manually pull handle down. Brake pedal will not release cruise control. Took to dealer, and they said it was brake light switch. Please provide any further information.*ak”
“When cruise control is set the only way to turn off is to manually pull handle down. Brake pedal will not release cruise control. Took to dealer, and they said it was brake light switch. Please provide any further information.*ak”
“Bmw 3 series +z3 knowm to have this problem/dealer wouldn't fix not under warranty had to fix it myself. No safety defect listed. *ak”
“The two front seat belts and the two rear seat belts did not retract. Dealer informed the consumer that the seat belt system needed to be replaced. *ak”
“The two front seat belts and the two rear seat belts did not retract. Dealer informed the consumer that the seat belt system needed to be replaced. *ak”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1995 BMW 318ic as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.