1997 BMW 318I Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 318I years
- Not enough data 3rd of 6 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 5 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 318I. That ranks 3rd out of 6 318I model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (2 complaints, 40%), typically at around 87,400 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 5owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 0complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 BMW 318I problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 2 | 40% | 87,400 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 40% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 20% | 89,002 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 20% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 BMW 318I recalls (1)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Vehicle speed control
Problem: 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 bushing. In this case, during application of the throttle pedal without cruise control being engaged, the outer tube could catch on the edge of the broken bushing.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
While driving 65 mph engine check light remained on, and exhaust fumes were coming into the vehicle while the windows were closed. Consumer stated there was a recall on website concerning the catalytic converter oxygen sensor . Not able to locate that information in our data base. *ak
Consumer called complaining about having problems with the ignition switch. Also stated that when this happened she could not turn the vehicle off. Dealer was contacted and stated that is a manufacturer defect and to call this agency and report it. *ph
Board level failure on automatic temperature control unit. Failure so widespread that no oem or renewed parts dealer has inventory. *nlm
Original equipment on a 1998, bmw, 318i with 30283 miles. Driving 65 mph consumer heard noise coming from passenger's rear of vehicle. Tire tread had separated, causing $ 4000.00 damage to vehicle.*ak continental touring 205/60r15 91h ch95
Heater core failed. *yc
Other BMW 318I years
See all BMW 318I problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
Embed this 1997 BMW 318I badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW 318I?
Owners most often report electrical system, tires, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 2 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 BMW 318I?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 BMW 318I a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 318I model years, the 1997 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.