1995 BMW 318I Problems
- Complaints
- 14filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 129,500miles, 6 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 1995 BMW 318I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1995 BMW 318I. The part named most often is air bags, with 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and vehicle speed control (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 129,500 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. 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.
- Air bags5 36%
- Electrical system3 21%
- Brakes1 7.1%
- Engine cooling1 7.1%
- Fuel system1 7.1%
- Other or unknown1 7.1%
- Seat belts1 7.1%
- Steering1 7.1%
Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Air bag light comes on when the car is started. The car, however, can be driven without an issue. The ABS light then disappears after about three minutes. The dealer has twice turned-off the light by resetting the vehicle computer. Both times after the the dealer fixed the problem and a person seats on the back seat the light will automatically come on again. For clarification: I just imported my (u.s. Specifications) vehicle from germany both of these occurences took place in the country of germany, however the previous owner warned me about the defect while the vehicle was in the u.s.a. …”
NHTSA complaint #10185315, filed 2007-03, 144,500 milesElectrical system: “Consumer stated under rainy conditions, the vehicle's floor boards fill with water. This shorted out the computer when the vehicle was started which resulted in a fire. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #10032514, filed 2003-08Vehicle speed control: “While pulling up to the curb to let a passenger out driver's front floor mat pushed up against the gas pedal and caused car to accelerate. The driver stepped on the brake to stop the car, but with the floor mat pressed against the gas pedal, the car continued to accelerate, hitting the vehicle parked in front of it. The gas pedal extends down and attached to the floor so that the floor mat had no place to go, but against the gas pedal, if it gets pushed forward inadvertantly as it did in this case.”
NHTSA complaint #10066263, filed 2004-04Mileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 80,000 and 144,500 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1995 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 | 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 1995 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 1995 BMW 318I have?
NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 1995 BMW 318I as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1995 BMW 318I is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 5 complaints (36% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 1995 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 1995 BMW 318I get?
The EPA rates the 1995 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 1995 BMW 318I reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 129,500 miles and the middle half falls between 80,000 and 144,500 miles; 17% 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.