Model year guide

1992 BMW 318I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1992 BMW 318I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 95 on record.

1992 BMW 318I — representative photo
Representative photo

1992 BMW 318I at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints8
Combined20–22 mpg

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

1992 BMW 318I recalls 3

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #98V178000 · 04/08/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #97V131000 · 19/08/1997

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 …

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.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #96V110000 · 01/07/1996

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

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 318I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 8 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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
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.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

1992 BMW 318I MPG & running costs

Combined20–22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,925
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Passenger volume76 cu ft
Cargo volume9 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1992 BMW 318I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,625
Fuel only$19,625
Per mile$0.26

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.

1992 BMW 318I vehicles on record

1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBAAG1109B7067613 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31090FB46002 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBABE51090EK41660 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBABE51090EK45952 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA310X0EG92426 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31000EG84061 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31080FB47531 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31040FB42603 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31000FB29573 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA41090AG80586 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA41080AG82085 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31050FB56221 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBA18410007260171 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31010FB38024 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31010EG92993 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31020EG86751 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBAAG0108C8526264 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31050EG73346 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31080FB43785 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31080FB37064 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31050EG71256 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31040FB49227 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31020FB37044 1992 BMW 318I 1992 BMW 318IWBACA31010FB51226

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 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981

1992 BMW 318I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1992 BMW 318I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1992 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 1992 BMW 318I?

Across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, air bags.

What gas mileage does the 1992 BMW 318I get?

The 1992 BMW 318I has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

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