VehicleVerdict

1992 BMW 318 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 17 complaints on file for the 1992 BMW 318 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

17

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other 318 years?

318 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted47 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 2 complaints1986: 0 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 47 complaints1992: 17 complaints1993: 17 complaints1994: 26 complaints1995: 28 complaints1996: 11 complaints1997: 6 complaints1998: 3 complaints2001: 6 complaints
318 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 318 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 BMW 318 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine847%
Brakes318%
Fuel System16%
Latches & Locks16%
Speed Control16%
Transmission16%
Visibility & Wipers16%
Electrical System16%

Does the 1992 BMW 318 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

94V066000Fuel SystemApril 11, 1994 · 116,300 units

Defect

FEED FUEL HOSES CAN HARDEN AND "SET" OVER TIME, ALLOWING A SEEPAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING. THE CLAMP USED TO HOLD THE HOSE TO THE FITTING IS UNABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE HARDENING OF THE FEED FUEL HOSE.

Consequence

FUEL SEEPAGE BETWEEN THE FEED FUEL HOSE AND THE ENGINE FITTING CAN RESULT IN FREE FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE WHEN EXPOSED TO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy

A REDESIGNED FEED FUEL HOSE AND HOSE CLAMP WILL BE INSTALLED TO ALLEVIATE THE FUEL SEEPAGE.

94V037000Fuel SystemFebruary 17, 1994 · 23,500 units

Defect

THE ADHESIVE MATERIAL OF THE TWO PIECE THROTTLE BODY HEATER MIGRATES INTO THE CIRCULATION CHAMBER CAUSING BUILD UP OF IMPURITIES AND RESTRICTION OF FLOW WITHIN THE CHAMBER. THIS CONDITION AND WATER VAPORS FROM THE CRANK THAT FREEZES AT LOW AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURES PREVENTS THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM CLOSING AS THE DRIVER RELEASES THE GAS PEDAL, CAUSING LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL.

Consequence

IF LOSS OF THROTTLE CONTROL FROM THE FROZEN THROTTLE BODY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

BMW DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY HEATER WITH A MODIFIED HEATER.

93V015000Visibility & WipersFebruary 1, 1993 · 375,000 units

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 OVERHEATING.

91V219000Speed ControlDecember 17, 1991 · 15,200 units

Defect

THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION SYSTEM, VENTED INTO THE INTAKE TRACT OF THE ENGINE AT THE BELLOWS BOOT AHEAD OF THE THROTTLE HOUSING, ALLOWS WARM WATER VAPOR FROM THE CRANKCASE VENT TO CONDENSE AND FREEZE IN THE COLDER BELLOWS BOOT WHEN THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE IS 15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT OR LESS. THE BUILD UP OF ICE CAN DISLODGE AND MOVE INTO THE THROTTLE HOUSING, PREVENTING THE THROTTLE PLATE FROM FULLY CLOSING WHEN THE DRIVER RELEASES THE GAS PEDAL.

Consequence

IF THE THROTTLE PLATE IS PREVENTED FROM CLOSING, THEREIS AN INCREASE IN IDLE SPEED AS WELL AS SLOWER THAN NORMAL DECELERATION, WHICHOCCURS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AND COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE THE THROTTLE HOUSING WITH A VERSION CONTAINING A MODIFIED HEATING SYSTEM ALONG WITH REROUTING OF THE CVS HOSE. THIS WILL PREVENT ICE BUILD-UP IN THE INTAKE TRACT.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE AFFECTED GASKET IS KNOWN TO BE OF A DEFECTIVE NATURE AND IS PRONE TO FAILURE AT SOME POINT IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF COOLANT. THE ORIGINAL PART AND REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE REFERENCED IN A BMW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 11 10 93 (3885). THUS FAR, BMW HAS CHOSEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 31, 1998

“WHILE PARKED WITH BRAKE ON, EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 27, 1995 · crash

“M/TRANS: ACCELERATOR STICKS DURING COLD WEATHER; ENGINE SPEEDS UP, EVEN WITH BRAKES APPLIED;NEARLY CAUSED REAR END ACCIDENT;NOT INCLUDED UNDER RECALL #91V219000”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 15, 1992

“WITH TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 95 DEGREES OR MORE REAR WINDOW EMPLODED WHILE NOT IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · May 19, 1995

1992 BMW 318 — common questions

Is the 1992 BMW 318 reliable?

The record is thin — 17 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1992 318 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), brakes (3 complaints), speed control (1 complaints).

Does the 1992 BMW 318 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 BMW 318. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 BMW 318 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which BMW 318 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the 318 years to avoid are 1991. The cleanest record among 318 years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.