1993 BMW 318IS Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1993 BMW 318IS (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 318IS. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 9 complaints (69% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and suspension (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1 technical service bulletin for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign filed under the same part. 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.
- Engine cooling9 69%
- Electrical system2 15%
- Suspension1 7.7%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.7%
Example complaints
Engine cooling: “There is a coolant leak in engine because an inferior form of rubber sealant is used on engine. Coolant goes back into engine. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated they knew about leak and its a frequent problem, but not under warranty. The head had to be replaced due to this problem, the problem is a rubberized gasket, known as the timing case profile gasket.”
NHTSA complaint #897407, filed 2001-10Electrical system: “The vehicle's electronic command control box was flooded due to water entering the box. Dealer contacted and aware of the problem. Consumer had repair work done at owner's exspense. Tsb 410393 (3914).”
NHTSA complaint #829527, filed 1998-10Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 98V178000Aug 4, 1998Engine and engine cooling › Cooling systemCovers: BMW 318IS 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 318IS 1992–1997, 525I 1989–1995, 318I 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 1993 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 1993 BMW 318IS have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1993 BMW 318IS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1993 BMW 318IS is reported most often?
Engine cooling is named most often, in 9 complaints (69% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1993 BMW 318IS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.
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.