1991 BMW 318I Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 69,999miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 17 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 BMW 318I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1991 BMW 318I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and electrical system (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,999 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part.
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 cooling4 50%
- Air bags1 13%
- Electrical system1 13%
- Other or unknown1 13%
- Seat belts1 13%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “The vehicle experienced a coolant leak. The coolant leaked from a faulty profile gasket. The faulty gasket was the subject of a recall but the consumers vehicle was not included due to VIN. The consumer paid for the repairs and requested reimbursement. The manufacturer reviewed the case and decided not to offer any assistance. The consumer has the old part in her possession.”
NHTSA complaint #10032495, filed 2003-10, 68,881 milesOther or unknown: “I have recently discovered how many other vehicles of this type (Bmw e30 m42) have been plaqued with this exact failure. With so many vehicles affected isn't a recall in order? This repair/fix cost me $1258.43 and Bmw knew the problem existed!”
NHTSA complaint #730570, filed 2000-09Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,881 and 71,117 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 BMW 318I version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318i RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 91V054000Apr 10, 1991Air bags › Knee bolsterCovers: BMW 318I 1991, 318IS 1991
During testing, incorrectly installed driver-side knee bolster prevented steering column from moving forward as designed to absorb impact energy from driver dummy.
Recall details for the 1991 BMW 318I → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1 on record; the latest 1 are shown.
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024Electrical system, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Other model years of the BMW 318I
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 8 | 84,750 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1997 | 5 | 89,002 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 14 | 129,500 | 2 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1994 | 14 | 120,000 | 2 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 11 | — | 2 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 8 | 57,484 | 3 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | 69,999 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 7 | 145,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1984 | 5 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 BMW 318I have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1991 BMW 318I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 BMW 318I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (50% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.
Has the 1991 BMW 318I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 BMW 318I get?
The EPA rates the 1991 BMW 318I (318i, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1991 BMW 318I reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,999 miles and the middle half falls between 68,881 and 71,117 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 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
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.