IllustrationI PURCHASED A 318IC FROM A USED CAR LOT AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. I HAVE OBTAINED INFORMATION ON THE VEHICLE WHICH THE DEALER SHOULD HAVE MADE ME AWARE OF, INCLUDING RECALL INFORMATION. THE RECALL AND THE INFORMATION WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AS A RESULT OF THE OBTAINED INFORMATION. *NM
1995 BMW 318IC
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all 318IC years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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: 1 of 4 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 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Exterior Lighting. 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.
0 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
4 reportsTHE TWO FRONT SEAT BELTS AND THE TWO REAR SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS SET THE ONLY WAY TO TURN OFF IS TO MANUALLY PULL HANDLE DOWN. BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
BMW 3 SERIES +Z3 KNOWM TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM/DEALER WOULDN'T FIX NOT UNDER WARRANTY HAD TO FIX IT MYSELF. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
Official recalls
398V178000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System
Aug 4, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Aug 19, 1997
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 SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
95V071000 · Equipment:other:labels
Apr 3, 1995
AN OVERSTATEMENT WAS MADE OF THE VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY AND DESIGNATED SEATING CAPACITY ON THE TIRE INFORMATION PLACARD. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: LOADING OF THE VEHICLE BEYOND THE CAPACITY WEIGHT CAN CAUSE TIRE AND VEHICLE DAMAGE THAT CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE MAILED A REVISED PLACARD CONTAING THE CORRECT VEHICLE AND DESIGNATED SEATING CAPACITIES AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLING THE PLACARD ON THEIR VEHICLES. IF OWNERS PREFER, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THE PLACARD FOR THEM.
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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.