1992 BMW 318 problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1992 BMW 318 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1992 BMW 318. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

1992 BMW 318 at a glance

Safety recalls4

Owner complaints17

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1992 BMW 318 recalls 4

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #94V066000 · 11/04/1994

FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.

Fix: A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.

Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System NHTSA Campaign #94V037000 · 17/02/1994

THE ADHESIVE MATERIAL OF THE TWO PIECE THROTTLE BODY HEATER MIGRATES INTO THE CIRCULATION CHAMBER CAUSING BUILD UP OF IMPURITIES AND RESTRICTION OF FLOW WITHIN THE CHAMBER. THIS CONDITION AND WATER VAPORS FROM THE CRANK THAT FREEZES AT LOW AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES PREVENTS THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM CLOSING AS THE DRIVER RELEASES THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

Fix: BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HEATER WITH A MODIFIED HEATER.

Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System:heater Core NHTSA Campaign #93V015000 · 01/02/1993

THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #91V219000 · 17/12/1991

THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM, VENTED INTO THE INTAKE TRACT OF THE ENGINE AT THE BELLOWS BOOT AHEAD OF THE THROTTLE HOUSING, ALLOWS WARM WATER VAPOR FROM THE CRANKCASE VENT TO CONDENSE AND FREEZE IN THE COLDER BELLOWS BOOT WHEN THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS. THE BUILD UP OF ICE CAN DISLODGE AND MOVE INTO THE THROTTLE HOUSING, PREVENTING THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM FULLY CLOSING WHEN THE…

Fix: REPLACE THE THROTTLE HOUSING WITH A VERSION CONTAINING A MODIFIED HEATING SYSTEM ALONG WITH REROUTING OF THE CVS HOSE. THIS WILL PREVENT ICE BUILD-UP IN THE INTAKE TRACT.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1992 BMW 318 common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine And Engine Cooling

Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

Parking Brake

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Latches/locks/linkages

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Fuel System

Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

Other

Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

AIR BAG WIRING FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA95013 · Air Bags · opened Mar 1995 · closed Jul 1996

HEATER CORE FAILURE Closed

NHTSA #EA92017 · Visibility · opened Jun 1992 · closed Mar 1993

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 4

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW

Bulletin MSG1016 · Exterior Lighting · Oct 1996

RECALL 96V110 - BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS INITIATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES THE AIRBAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB. *TW

Bulletin MSG0415 · Air Bags · Oct 1996

ENGINE WILL NOT START. *TW

Bulletin 120894(4117) · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 1995

ENGINE WILL NOT START, PRIMARILY DURING COLD WEATHER OR HIGH ALTITUDE. *TW

Bulletin 120794(4116) · Electrical System · Jan 1995

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 318. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

1992 BMW 318 vehicles on record

1992 BMW 318WBAAJ11070CL45124

1992 BMW 318WBACA310404F59748

1992 BMW 318WBACA31020FB55303

1992 BMW 318WBABE51010EK56685

1992 BMW 318WBACA41070AG82224

1992 BMW 318WBACA31040FB27616

1992 BMW 318WBABE51020JG02608

1992 BMW 318WBACA31000EG99367

1992 BMW 318WBAAJ51000AD55614

1992 BMW 318WBACA31000EG50508

1992 BMW 318WBAAK510909596616

1992 BMW 318WBACA31000EG71746

1992 BMW 318WBA27910007040400

Other BMW 318 model years

1992 BMW 318 — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 BMW 318 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1992 BMW 318. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1992 BMW 318?

Across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, parking brake, latches/locks/linkages.

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.