BMW 318ti recalls and complaints by year

Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the BMW 318ti, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.

Last updated: 2025-12-22 (NHTSA data snapshot)

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At a Glance

Total Recalls 3

Total Complaints 31

Years Covered 1995–1999

Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.

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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the BMW 318ti. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.

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Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data. Always check your specific VIN on NHTSA.gov for vehicle-specific recall information.

Key Takeaways

A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the BMW 318ti, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.

Coverage spans model years 1995–1999 with 3 recall campaigns and 31 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1997 (1), 1996 (1), and 1995 (1).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1998 (18), 1996 (8), and 1995 (3).
Top recall theme: Other.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Visibility:power window devices and controls, Tires, Vehicle speed control.
Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).

Recall Themes

Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.

Other

1 campaign · Years: 1995–1997

These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.

Official notices (evidence):

97V131000 · Vehicle speed control

Most Reported Issues

Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the BMW 318ti in NHTSA complaint data are Visibility:power window devices and controls, Tires, Vehicle speed control.

Jump to Model Year

Year-by-Year Overview

Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.

Model Year	Recalls	Complaints	Details
1999	0	1	Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
1998	0	18	Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued. Top complaint areas: Tires, Power train:automatic transmission, Suspension.
1997	1	1	Both recalls and complaints recorded. Top complaint areas: Vehicle speed control.
1996	1	8	Both recalls and complaints recorded. Top complaint areas: Visibility:power window devices and controls, Air bags:frontal, Structure:body:door.
1995	1	3	Both recalls and complaints recorded. Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline, Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper, Seat belts:front.

What to Do Next

Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.

Check Your VIN on NHTSA.gov

Recall Evidence by Year

A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.

Most common areas involved: Vehicle speed control

Show recall evidence by year

1997

Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (97V131000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: 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 breaks, the outer cable housing can se

1996

Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (97V131000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: 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 breaks, the outer cable housing can se

1995

Vehicle speed control: Safety recall involving the vehicle speed control area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
View official NHTSA notice (97V131000) →

Show official notice text

Summary: 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 breaks, the outer cable housing can se

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⚠️ Important Safety Information

Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.

For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.

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