1996 BMW 318 Problems
- Complaints
- 5filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 75,688miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 BMW 318 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 318. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by equipment (2) and air bags (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,688 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine cooling3 60%
- Equipment2 40%
- Air bags1 20%
- Brakes1 20%
- Fuel system1 20%
- Seat belts1 20%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The vehicle had a gas leak in the tank. The dealer was notified. The consumer filled the gas tank and 15 minutes later all the gas leaked out. The consumer also experienced problems with the brakes, engine, and the A/C panel which intermittently went out.”
NHTSA complaint #10026300, filed 2003-08, 75,688 milesAir bags: “Consumer was driving, was hit by another vehicle in the front right corner, head on, seatbelts were worn at the time, air bags did not deploy{driver /passenger}, causing minor injuries and bruises.”
NHTSA complaint #819053, filed 1997-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 1 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 75,688 and 75,688 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1996 BMW 318 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1996 BMW 318.
Other model years of the BMW 318
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 5 | 218,800 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 5 | 75,688 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 19 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1994 | 20 | — | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 17 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1992 | 16 | — | 4 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1991 | 21 | — | 3 | — | — | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 BMW 318 have?
NHTSA recorded 5 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 318 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 BMW 318 is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (60% of the total), followed by equipment with 2.
Has the 1996 BMW 318 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 BMW 318 reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,688 miles and the middle half falls between 75,688 and 75,688 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.