1994 BMW 318I Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles, 1 complaints with mileage
- 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 / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1994 BMW 318I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1994 BMW 318I. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and fuel system (2). 1 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 120,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. 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 cooling5 36%
- Electrical system3 21%
- Fuel system2 14%
- Body and structure2 14%
- Air bags1 7.1%
- Brakes1 7.1%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.1%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “Temperature guage rises and a large amount of coolant spill engine overheats engine stalls I really don't expect this on a Bmw why don't help us with the problem I'm really disapointed they just ignore the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #749542, filed 2001-08Electrical system: “Consumer took car to a car wash when control box got wet, then the fuel injector froze open, causing fuel to leak onto the engine. Car spilled gasoline all over the ground. Consumer was trying to start vehicle when the car when a car wash attendant came out and told her not to start vehicle because it might blow up. Prior cars of 1994 Bmw had this same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #863739, filed 2000-06Fuel system: “Fuel leakages from the upper return lines. Dealer making repairs. Dealer claims it was next to the starter. Also claims it was fixed, however it is not.”
NHTSA complaint #8009807, filed 2002-05Body and structure: “When onsumer's son got inside of vehicle and locked doors manually. Then tried to turn on engine, but the engine did not start. Driver tried to get out of vehicle, and he couldn't because the door won't unlock. Somehow he opened the sun roof and got out. Then unlocked door with key.”
NHTSA complaint #846685, filed 1999-09Mileage 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 120,000 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1994 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 Convertible RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 22 | $3,750 |
| 318i Convertible RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 318i/318is RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 29 | 23 | $3,550 |
| 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 |
| 318i/318is RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
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 1994 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 1994 BMW 318I have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1994 BMW 318I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1994 BMW 318I is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1994 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 1994 BMW 318I get?
The EPA rates the 1994 BMW 318I (318i Convertible, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 29 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 1994 BMW 318I reported?
Among the 1 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 120,000 miles and the middle half falls between 120,000 and 120,000 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.