BMW 318 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 0 safety recalls on file for the BMW 318, across 5 model years (1995–2001). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (19). The most reported problem area overall is air bags.
BMW 318 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 318 year: 1995. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 318: 19 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2001 318: 6 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 318: 5 complaints, 0 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common BMW 318 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 11 | 4 | 8 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| Power Train | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Steering | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 1 |
All BMW 318 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 318 | 6 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1998 318 | 3 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1997 318 | 5 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 1996 318 | 5 | 0 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1995 318 | 19 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from BMW: all BMW models · BMW VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which BMW 318 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (19) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical 318 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the BMW 318?
Air Bags, with 11 complaints across 4 model years.
How many recalls does the BMW 318 have?
0 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.