The 1984 BMW 318 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 390,748 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
VISIBILITY93V0150001993-02-01375,000 affected
Defect
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE.
Consequence
VEHICLES OPERATED UNDER THIS INCREASED COOLING SYSTEMPRESSURE CONDITION CAN SUFFER DAMAGE OR FAILURE OF PARTS OF THE COOLING SYSTEMSUCH AS (1) LEAKAGE FROM A COOLANT HOSE, (2) LEAKAGE OF THE RADIATOR OREXPANSION TANK, (3) DISCONNECTION OF A HOSE FROM A PIPE OR A FITTING, AND (4)CRACKS IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE…
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
THE IDLE CONTROL VALVE WHICH CONTROLS IDLE SPEED BY VARYING THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR THAT BYPASSES THE THROTTLE PLATE IS SUBJECT TO BACKFIRE INTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SUCH BACKFIRE CAN DAMAGE THE VALVE AND CAUSE THE IDLE VALVE PLATE TO REMAIN OPEN. …
Remedy
INSTALL A REDESIGNED IDLE CONTROL VALVE WHICH CAN NOT STICK OPEN.
VISIBILITY84V1070001984-09-114,748 affected
Defect
WATER CONTROL VALVE IN THE HEATING SYSTEM MAY NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY. EXCESSIVE CURRENT MAY BEGIN TO FLOW THROUGH THE WIRING TO THE CONTROL VALVE RESULTING IN OVERHEATING OF THE WIRING.
Remedy
WIRING TO THE VALVE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A WIRE CONNECTOR THAT HAS A FUSE. THE FUSE WILL PREVENT THE OCCURENCE OF AN ELECTRICAL OVERLOAD.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“While driving, the consumer noticed smoke coming from the vents. The consumer was able to pull over and lift up the hood. The consumer noticed steam coming from the engine. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the consumer that the radiator needed…”
“After having the recall repair work done on the heater core, there is a malfunction in the cooling system, causing increased pressure that resulted in coolant leaking on consumer's feet. Recall#93v015000. *ak”
“After having the recall repair work done on the heater core, there is a malfunction in the cooling system, causing increased pressure that resulted in coolant leaking on consumer's feet. Recall#93v015000. *ak”
“The engine idled high. The dealer stated it was due to the idle control valve which needed to be replaced. *jb”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA92017 Opened 1992-06-02 · closed 1993-03-30
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1984 BMW 318 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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