4
recalls
The BMW 318I has 4 recalls covering 838,500 vehicles as reported; model year 1991 is covered by the most (4).
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
4
Most for 1991: 4
Units affected
839K
As reported
Overall stars
-
Not rated
Complaints, 12 mo
0
To Sep 2026
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the BMW 318I, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
0 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Engine and engine cooling33
- Electrical system17
- Air bags11
- Vehicle speed control9
- Power train6
- Visibility6
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Complaints
- 90
- Crashes reported
- 10
- Fires reported
- 3
- People injured
- 6
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the BMW 318I by component
- Air bags2 · 89K units
- Engine and engine cooling1 · 340K units
- Vehicle speed control1 · 410K units
BMW 318I recalls
Newest first
| Date | Recall | Hazard | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 4, 1998 | BMW 318I, 318IA, 318IC, 318ICA and 32 more (1988-1995): Engine and engine coolingNo. 98V178000 | Injury | 340,000 |
| Aug 19, 1997 | BMW 318I, 318IC, 318IS, 318TI and 12 more (1989-1997): Vehicle speed controlNo. 97V131000 | Crash risk | 410,000 |
| Jul 1, 1996 | BMW 318I, 318IS, 325I, 325IS and 8 more (1991-1992): Air bagsNo. 96V110000 | Crash risk | 75,000 |
| Apr 10, 1991 | BMW 318I, 318IS (1991): Air bagsNo. 91V054000 | Crash risk | 13,500 |
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 1997 BMW 318I recalled?
Yes: 1 recall covers the 1997 BMW 318I. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the BMW 318I have?
4 recalls cover the BMW 318I, for 838,500 vehicles as reported. The most common problem is air bags (2 recalls).
What do owners complain about most on the BMW 318I?
Engine and engine cooling: named in 33 of the 90 safety complaints about the BMW 318I, then electrical system (17). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.