1997 BMW 318TI Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 318TI years
- Not enough data 4th of 5 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 318TI. That ranks 4th out of 5 318TI model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is vehicle speed control (1 complaints, 100%), typically at around 149,000 miles. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 1owner 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 318TI 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 100% | 149,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
1997 BMW 318TI 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.
MY 1997 BMW 318TI SUFFERED FROM UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. HERE'S HOW IT HAPPENED: I PULLED OUT ONTO THE STREET AFTER GETTING MY CAR WASHED. I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR DOWN HARD AS I PULLED OUT. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND THE WET TIRES SPUN ON THE PAVEMENT. I LET OFF ON THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR…
Other BMW 318TI years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 318TI | 1 | 0 |
| 1998 318TI | 11 | 0 |
| 1997 | 1 | 1 |
| 1996 318TI | 8 | 1 |
| 1995 318TI | 3 | 1 |
See all BMW 318TI problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
Similar BMW models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 BMW 318TI?
Owners most often report vehicle speed control problems. The top one, vehicle speed control, accounts for 1 complaint.
Was there a recall on the 1997 BMW 318TI?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 BMW 318TI a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 318TI model years, the 1997 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.