1996 BMW 318TI Problems
- Complaints
- 8filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 110,000miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- 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
- 23 mpgcombined, 1.9L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1996 BMW 318TI (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 318TI. The part named most often is visibility, with 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and air bags (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 110,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. 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. 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 system2 25%
- Air bags1 13%
- Body and structure1 13%
Example complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “My 1996 Bmw 318TI - driver side front window has 3 times in last 5 years fallen into the door interior while driving. I have had this repaired now 3 times in 5 years at a total cost to be of $1300. This is a systemic design and safety problem that occurs not most of the 3 series Bmw from 1995 to 2002. …”
NHTSA complaint #10273026, filed 2009-06, 110,000 milesElectrical system: “Ignition switch failure. When attempting to turn off car, key moved to off position without resistance but did not turn off car. Switch locked in off position but key would move and car continued to run. Key could be removed and reinserted but could not turn off car. Had to pull fuse on the fuel injection system to stall engine and disconnect battery to turn off power to car. This problem appears to be common in a large number of bmws. Inability to turn off engine could pose hazard if situation required driver to cut power to engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #770538, filed 2002-12Mileage when problems were reported
0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 110,000 and 110,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1996 BMW 318TI 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318ti RWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,550 |
| 318ti RWD | 1.9L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,550 |
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
- 97V131000Aug 19, 1997Vehicle speed controlCovers: BMW 318TI 1995–1997, 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 1996 BMW 318TI → · 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 318TI
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 11 | 110,000 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1996 | 8 | 110,000 | 1 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1996 BMW 318TI have?
NHTSA recorded 8 consumer complaints for the 1996 BMW 318TI as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1996 BMW 318TI is reported most often?
Visibility is named most often, in 3 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1996 BMW 318TI 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 1996 BMW 318TI get?
The EPA rates the 1996 BMW 318TI (318ti, 1.9L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1996 BMW 318TI reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 110,000 miles and the middle half falls between 110,000 and 110,000 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 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.