Model year guide

1991 BMW 318I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1991 BMW 318I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 58 on record.

1991 BMW 318I — representative photo
Representative photo

1991 BMW 318I at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints9
Combined19 mpg

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

1991 BMW 318I recalls 1

Air Bags:knee Bolster NHTSA Campaign #91V054000 · 10/04/1991

DURING TESTING, INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DRIVER-SIDE KNEE BOLSTER PREVENTED STEERING COLUMN FROM MOVING FORWARD AS DESIGNED TO ABSORB IMPACT ENERGY FROM DRIVER DUMMY.

Fix: REPAIR THE KNEE BOLSTER TO ALLOW CLEARANCE AND AVOID IMPEDANCE OF STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT DURING FRONTAL IMPACT.

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.

1991 BMW 318I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 9 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.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

1991 BMW 318I MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,350
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Passenger volume81 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$9,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1991 BMW 318I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$21,750
Fuel only$21,750
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 3

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.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024

M42 FAULT CODE 200/333. DME CONTROL UNIT MEMORY CHIP IS FAULTY. *AK

Bulletin 12 14 97 · Electrical System · Aug 1997

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

Bulletin MSG1016 · Exterior Lighting · Oct 1996

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

1991 BMW 318I vehicles on record

1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBAAK510X09441914 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31010EG78821 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31000FB12224 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31050EG63433 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31020FB09440 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31010FB18257 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBAAG0103C8533316 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31000EG61587 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31060EG45815 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31090EG78310 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31050FB03793 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA41010AG74555 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31070EG50098 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA310X0EG52685 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31090EG45873 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBAAG71040ED78686 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31000FB13955 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31090EG50684 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31040FB13389 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA41060AG76690 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31050EG57406 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31030EG35274 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31030EG34707 1991 BMW 318I 1991 BMW 318IWBACA31080EG47467

Other BMW 318I model years

2023 2022 2021 2018 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1991 BMW 318I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1991 BMW 318I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1991 BMW 318I. 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 1991 BMW 318I?

Across all 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, seat belts, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1991 BMW 318I get?

The 1991 BMW 318I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 19 mpg combined (17 city / 23 highway).

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