1998 BMW 318I Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 38%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 BMW 318I, 38% of the 8 complaints for this model year.
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.
“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 2001-02“Consumer was inside of vehicle and went to put key in the ignition to start vehicle, she took the key out of the ignition to turn vehicle off and vehicle was still running, she drove vehicle to the dealership. Mechanic told her that cylinder lock switch needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #8001812, filed 2002-01Related service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Electrical system: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 BMW 318I
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 BMW 318I
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology