SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

1995 BMW 318

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
19Owner complaints

Model-year median: 4

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

1995 BMW 318

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 19 owner complaints · 0 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Air Bags: 7 reports
  • Power Train: 4 reports
  • Electrical System: 3 reports
  • Engine And Engine Cooling: 2 reports
  • Equipment: 2 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

    Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

    How this year compares

    Owner complaints by model year

    Other model years Selected year
    16
    1992    17
    1993    20
    1994    19
    1995    5
    1996    5
    1997    3
    1998
    Compare all 318 years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Air Bags
    7    Power Train
    4    Electrical System
    3    Engine And Engine Cooling
    2    Equipment
    2
    All reported categories
    Exterior Lighting
    2    Seat Belts
    2    Steering
    2    Seats
    1    Tires
    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: 0 of 19 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.

    • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
    • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

    NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

    5 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

    Power Train complaints

    4 reports
    Clear category filter
    Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 1999
    Power Train

    I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE AND SPEED OF FAILURE. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOWER SPEED. IT WOULD ALSO POP OUT OF GEAR ON THE ROAD. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ON WARRANTY, AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE JUST HEARD FROM ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE 318TI WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM. I AM CO…

    Read full complaint

    I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT DATE AND SPEED OF FAILURE. MY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTED WHILE DRIVING AT A LOWER SPEED. IT WOULD ALSO POP OUT OF GEAR ON THE ROAD. BMW REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION ON WARRANTY, AND SAID IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM. I'VE JUST HEARD FROM ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE 318TI WITH SIMILAR PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON BMW'S PART BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE DANGER OF HAVING YOUR TRANSMISSION GOING OUT WHILE DRIVING. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #707899

    Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 1996
    Power Train

    CLUTCH/PRESSURE PLATE FAILURE.

    NHTSA ODI #508142

    Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 1996
    Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

    TRANSMISSION FAILS CAUSING HESITATION/JERKING.

    NHTSA ODI #508073

    Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 1996
    Power Train

    TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK

    NHTSA ODI #986327

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    Defect investigations

    0

    No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

    An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.