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1998 BMW 318I

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
8Owner complaints

Model-year median: 7.5

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
14
19953
19965
19978
19984
2001
Compare all 318I years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Electrical System
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Air Bags
1Engine And Engine Cooling
1Power Train
1
All reported categories
Unknown Or Other
1Visibility
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 2 of 8 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2003
Electrical System

IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE KEY STARTED ROTATING IN IGNITION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND REMOVED KEY. ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. ONLY WAY TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE WAS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY. EMAIL: EDWARDSEAFELDT@HOTMAIL.COM *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046916

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2002
Electrical System

CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND WENT TO PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START VEHICLE, SHE TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING, SHE DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT CYLINDER LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *JB

NHTSA ODI #8001812

Mileage unknown · Feb 14, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED CONTINUALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ENGINE/THROTTLE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE INTERMITTENTLY AND EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL VEHICLE IS REPAIRED PROPERLY. MJS

NHTSA ODI #559680

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.