1998 BMW 318TI Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 36%of 11 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 84,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 BMW 318TI, 36% of the 11 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles.
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.
“3 series models (e36) and notably the 318TI Bmw automobiles have an extremely high failure rate for the window regulators. Its not uncommon to have to repair them annually at a cost of approximately 300 dollars per door. The failure occurs without warning causing the window to jam, or fall inside the door. This is a well known documented problem among the owner community and reactions at dealers is oh yea happens all the time. I propose this could present an egress issue in event of an emergency.”
NHTSA complaint #10163835, filed 2006-07, 144,000 miles“1. Window movement stopped 2. Window fell into the door and the tint got scratched 3. The dealer quoted 300 to fix it, replaced regulator and brushing.”
NHTSA complaint #10213133, filed 2007-12, 67,000 miles“Bmw318ti - both driver-side and passenger-side window regulators have had problems . Replaced the passenger-side regulator twice already in the last few years. Fortunately once was within the one-year warranty of when it broke the first time so the expense was just the labor, still expensive. Just this week the driver's side regulator failed. Not a cheap fix, and quite a scare when it actually happened. An unexpected loud crack and the window crashed to the bottom of the door, just a few seconds after the window button was depressed. Would love to hear that there was a recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10186011, filed 2007-03, 84,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249437Jan 16, 2024The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 4 | 36% |
| 1996 | 3 | 38% |
Other parts of the 1998 BMW 318TI
4 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 BMW 318TI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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