1994 BMW 318I Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 14%of 14 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1994 BMW 318I, 14% of the 14 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle was parked on a slight hill and the hand brake was pulled up to its full capacity. My brother sat in the car and smoked a cigarette before going to his appointment. After he returned from his appointment, the vehicle could not be found. After looking around, he realized that the vehicle had rolled down the hill, across a busy two-way main road in the downtown area of the city and hit the wall of the at&t building. Thank god no pedestrian was walking during this time and no car was passing by. …”
NHTSA complaint #10489268, filed 2012-12, 120,000 miles“Would be driving and vehicle failed to shift from first into 2nd gear. Would get hung up in first. Then, it would suddenly jerk and shift into 2nd. Taken to dealership, mechanic indicated problem of shifting was repairable.”
NHTSA complaint #890050, filed 2001-06Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 1994 BMW 318I
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1994 BMW 318I
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology