1991 BMW 318IS Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns 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
- 21 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl RWD · 19 city / 25 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 BMW 318IS (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1991 BMW 318IS. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 6 complaints (100% of the total), followed by visibility (1). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Visibility 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 cooling6 100%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “While driving at high speed, 65mph, the profile gasket in my engine failed. Large amounts of steam came out of the engine compartment and resulted in a condition of almost zero visibility. My windshield was covered with antifreeze and I could not see throught he steam. I believe this failure to be a serious safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #719415, filed 2000-02Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 BMW 318IS 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318is RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,900 |
| 318is RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| 318is Convertible RWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 24 | 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
- 91V054000Apr 10, 1991Air bags › Knee bolsterCovers: BMW 318IS 1991, 318I 1991
During testing, incorrectly installed driver-side knee bolster prevented steering column from moving forward as designed to absorb impact energy from driver dummy.
Recall details for the 1991 BMW 318IS → · 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 318IS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 5 | 91,001 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 13 | — | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 21 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 BMW 318IS have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 1991 BMW 318IS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 BMW 318IS is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 6 complaints (100% of the total), followed by visibility with 1.
Has the 1991 BMW 318IS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 BMW 318IS get?
The EPA rates the 1991 BMW 318IS (318is, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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.