1993 BMW 318I problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: Does the 1993 BMW 318I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1993 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.

Q: What gas mileage does the 1993 BMW 318I get?

The 1993 BMW 318I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway).

1993 BMW 318I at a glance

Safety recalls2

Owner complaints11

Combined22 mpg

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

1993 BMW 318I recalls 2

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.

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.

1993 BMW 318I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 11 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.

Visibility

Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

1993 BMW 318I MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg

City19 mpg

Highway28 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$3,750

EPA size classSubcompact Cars

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd

Passenger volume86 cu ft

Cargo volume10 cu ft

5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,750 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 1993 BMW 318I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,750

Fuel only$18,750

Per mile$0.25

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

WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW

Bulletin 41/03/96 · Structure · Nov 1996

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

1993 BMW 318I vehicles on record

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31040JD16036

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31040FB78677

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31090JD01080

1993 BMW 318IWBABE51010EK44276

1993 BMW 318IWBAAG1100C8217362

1993 BMW 318IWBACA91080JF06263

1993 BMW 318IWBACA01080AC26290

1993 BMW 318IWBA28910007112424

1993 BMW 318IWBACA910X0KA01223

1993 BMW 318IWBAAG71060CL79928

1993 BMW 318IWBABE51040JG11584

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31090JD05615

1993 BMW 318IWBACA310X0FB49670

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31080FB82103

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31020FB79519

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31040FB39796

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31070FB77166 1993 BMW 318IWBACA31090EG95348

1993 BMW 318IWBACA91050JF06768

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31040FB86150

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31090FB76472

1993 BMW 318IWBACA91080JF05713

1993 BMW 318IWBACA31060FB67499

1993 BMW 318IWBACA410X0AG86493

Other BMW 318I model years

1993 BMW 318I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 BMW 318I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1993 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 1993 BMW 318I?

Across all 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine and engine cooling, electrical system, visibility.

What gas mileage does the 1993 BMW 318I get?

The 1993 BMW 318I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway).

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