1998 BMW 318I Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 84,750miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns 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
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 BMW 318I (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 318I. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (3) and air bags (1). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 84,750 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 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.
- Electrical system3 38%
- Air bags1 13%
- Engine cooling1 13%
- Other or unknown1 13%
Example complaints
Electrical system: “The vehicle has been serviced continually for extended period of time for engine/throttle related problems, the vehicle would surge intermittently and experience no start conditions and the check engine light illuminating, the dealership repaired vehicle however the consumer does not feel vehicle is repaired properly. Mjs”
NHTSA complaint #559680, filed 2001-02Vehicle speed control: “Cruise control does not disengage when brakes are applied and obviously does not decelerate when expected. I would like to refer to NHTSA recall no.: 97v131.”
NHTSA complaint #10138097, filed 2005-09, 78,500 milesAir bags: “The contact owns a 1998 Bmw 318I. While traveling 35 MPH, the contact became involved in a crash with another vehicle. As the contact was crashing into the second vehicle, the contact applied the horn just as the air bag deployed. The air bag struck the contact in the left arm, causing his left shoulder to become dislodged. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The contact was concerned because the air bag was located in the steering wheel where the horn was also located. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 91,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #10476000, filed 2012-09, 91,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 78,500 and 91,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 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 | 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 24 | $2,800 |
| 318i/318is RWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 28 | 23 | $2,900 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 BMW 318I in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors), Electrical system. 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 1998 BMW 318I have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1998 BMW 318I as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 BMW 318I is reported most often?
Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 3.
Has the 1998 BMW 318I been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 BMW 318I get?
The EPA rates the 1998 BMW 318I (318i/318is, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 BMW 318I reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 84,750 miles and the middle half falls between 78,500 and 91,000 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 28, 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.