1985 BMW 318 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
2
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1985 BMW 318
The 1985 BMW 318 has received a total of 2 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 2 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR. The most commonly reported problem area is the Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 1985 BMW 318
NHTSA has recorded 2 recalls for the 1985 BMW 318, potentially affecting up to 495,261 vehicles.
Recall 93V015000 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
| 375,000 vehicles affected
Defect: THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence: VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE RESULTING IN COOLANT LEAKAGE. IN SOME CASES,BOILING COOLANT CAN CONTACT THE LOWER RIGHT LEG OF THE DRIVER RESULTING INBURNS. ALSO, ESCAPING COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAN CAUSE VAPORFOGGING OF THE INTERIOR SURFACE OF THE WINDOWS, REDUCING DRIVER VISIBILITY.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 86V138000 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
| 120,261 vehicles affected
Defect: THE TWO PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY DISCONNECT IF THE CAR CONTACTS AN OBJECT IN THE ROADWAY OR ELSEWHERE OF SUFFICIENT MASS TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING GEARBOX. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: STEERING CONTROL WOULD BE LOST.
Remedy: BOLT TWO SPECIALLY FORMED PLATES TO THE DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT SO THAT STEERING CAPABILITY WILL BE RETAINED.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1985 BMW 318
2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1985 BMW 318. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemradiator Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
THE FEMALE PART OF THE BUCKLE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATES. BOTH PLASTIC SIDES FALL OFF WHICH CAUSED THE BUCKLE NOT TO LATCH. THE OWNER REPLACED THE PORTION OF BUCKLE WITH A USED PART IN MAY OF 97. THE PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
RADIATOR CAP FAILED AFTER RECALL WORK PERFORMED (93V-015), CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. *SKD
Safety Rating for the 1985 BMW 318
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1985 BMW 318 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1985 BMW 318
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1985 BMW 318
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 318
- 1984 BMW 318 — 4 complaints
- 1985 BMW 318 (current)
- 1989 BMW 318 — 0 complaints
- 1990 BMW 318 — 2 complaints