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BMW 318IModel year report

1992 BMW 318I Problems

Complaints
8filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
57,484miles, 1 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns 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
22 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 27 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1992 BMW 318I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1992 BMW 318I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and electrical system (1). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,484 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. 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.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I have done some research over the internet for this problem and it appears to be a very common one. I am completely amazed that Bmw is not covering this repair of this, even though they are aware of the defect.”

NHTSA complaint #537617, filed 1998-06

Air bags: “Air bag contact ring on the driver's side broke. When the air bag warning light came on, vehicle was taken to the dealer where the ring was replaced at owner's expense. Vehicle not included in recall 96v110000 Bmw/interior; passive restraint: air bag:driver.”

NHTSA complaint #855407, filed 2000-01

Vehicle speed control: “When driving at 30 MPH the vehicle surges, the engine races to high RPM and the vehicle cuts off without warning. Contacted the dealer, cause of problem was yet to be determined.”

NHTSA complaint #812463, filed 1997-05

Mileage 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 57,484 and 57,484 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–50100%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (1 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 57,484 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

19971998320002004
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1992 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).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
318i Convertible RWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual182420$4,100
318i/318iS RWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual192722$3,750

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

Recall details for the 1992 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.

Other model years of the BMW 318I

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
1998884,7500—24—Not enough data
1997589,0021—23—Not enough data
199514129,5002—22—Not enough data
199414120,0002—22—Not enough data
199311—2—22—Not enough data
1992857,4843—22—Not enough data
1991869,9991—19—Not enough data
19857145,0000———Not enough data
19845—0———Not enough data

All BMW 318I model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1992 BMW 318I have?

NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1992 BMW 318I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1992 BMW 318I is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (63% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 1992 BMW 318I been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1992 BMW 318I get?

The EPA rates the 1992 BMW 318I (318i/318iS, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1992 BMW 318I reported?

Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,484 miles and the middle half falls between 57,484 and 57,484 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.