How many recalls does the 1985 BMW 318 have?

The 1985 BMW 318 has 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 1985 BMW 318 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 1985 BMW 318?

Of 2 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine and engine cooling.

1985 BMW 318 Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 1985 BMW 318 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 495,261 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

VISIBILITY 93V015000 1993-02-01 375,000 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.

STEERING 86V138000 1986-10-20 120,261 affected

Defect

THE TWO PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT COULD COMPLETELY DISCONNECT IF THE CAR CONTACTS AN OBJECT IN THE ROADWAY OR ELSEWHERE OF SUFFICIENT MASS TO APPLY A SIGNIFICANT FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING GEARBOX. …

Remedy

BOLT TWO SPECIALLY FORMED PLATES TO THE DISENGAGEMENT ELEMENT SO THAT STEERING CAPABILITY WILL BE RETAINED.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Total complaints2

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The female part of the buckle on the driver's side completely disintegrates. Both plastic sides fall off which caused the buckle not to latch. The owner replaced the portion of buckle with a used part in may of 97. The part needs to be replaced again. *ak”

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · reported 1997-05-05

“Radiator cap failed after recall work performed (93v-015), causing vehicle to overheat. *skd”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY · reported 1995-03-20

Defect investigations

Investigation EA89007 Opened 1988-12-23 · closed 1989-07-26

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH

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Investigation EA92017 Opened 1992-06-02 · closed 1993-03-30

HEATER CORE FAILURE

There is no summary currently available

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1985 BMW 318 as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.