1996 BMW 318I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 BMW 318I
The 1996 BMW 318I has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problem area is the Air Bagsfrontal (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 BMW 318I
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1996 BMW 318I, potentially affecting up to 410,000 vehicles.
Recall 97V131000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
| 410,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 BMW 318I
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 BMW 318I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bagsfrontal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
WHEN THE CONSUMER SHIFTED GEARS, THE GEAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL. *JB REPLACED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND THROW-OUT BEARING DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR . *TT
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, SHE HIT A CEMENT WALL AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB VEHICLE TOTALLED AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED.. *TT
WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND LOST CONTROL. HIT AN EMBANKMENT. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Safety Rating for the 1996 BMW 318I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 BMW 318I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 BMW 318I
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1996 BMW 318I. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
12 15 96 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ROUGH IDLE
12/15/96 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
M44 MISFIRE FAULTS 50, 51, 52 OR 53. *TW
54/09/96 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
SUNROOF FAILS TO CLOSE. *TW
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 BMW 318I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 318I
- 1991 BMW 318I — 9 complaints
- 1992 BMW 318I — 8 complaints
- 1993 BMW 318I — 15 complaints
- 1994 BMW 318I — 19 complaints
- 1995 BMW 318I — 19 complaints
- 1996 BMW 318I (current)
- 1997 BMW 318I — 6 complaints
- 1998 BMW 318I — 12 complaints
- 2001 BMW 318I — 4 complaints