1993 BMW 318I Problems
- Complaints
- 11filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns 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 / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 BMW 318I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 318I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 10 complaints (91% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and other or unknown (1). NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin 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 cooling10 91%
- Electrical system2 18%
- Other or unknown1 9.1%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “All coolant lost, suddenly & w/o warning; coolant lost into the environment; sudden engine temperature rise required dangerous emergency manouver to reach side of road before engine damage; following vehicles may have been damaged & drivers blinded by lost coolant”
NHTSA complaint #714056, filed 1999-10Electrical system: “Alternator had to be replaced, along with regulator. Power windows and sunroof stopped working shortly after that. Is there some electrical problem with this car that would have caused the alternator to short out.”
NHTSA complaint #704562, filed 1999-03Other or unknown: “Vehicle had blown an engine head gasket at 46,000 miles.also, ignition was not working. Had no warning prior to seeing steam coming from under the hood. Shut vehicle down & then restarted. Engine check light still came back on.”
NHTSA complaint #832725, filed 1998-12Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1993 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/318is RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| 318i/318is RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 27 | 22 | $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
- 98V178000Aug 4, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: BMW 318I 1992–1995, 735I 1988–1995, 735ILA 1988–1995 +28 more
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical…
- 97V131000Aug 19, 1997Vehicle speed controlCovers: BMW 318I 1992–1997, 525I 1989–1995, 318IS 1992–1997 +12 more
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…
Recall details for the 1993 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 1993 BMW 318I have?
NHTSA recorded 11 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 318I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 BMW 318I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 10 complaints (91% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1993 BMW 318I been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1993 BMW 318I get?
The EPA rates the 1993 BMW 318I (318i/318is, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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.