The 1991 BMW 318i has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 13,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
DURING TESTING, INCORRECTLY INSTALLED DRIVER-SIDE KNEE BOLSTER PREVENTED STEERING COLUMN FROM MOVING FORWARD AS DESIGNED TO ABSORB IMPACT ENERGY FROM DRIVER DUMMY.
CHEST DECELERATION EXCEEDS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LIMIT WHICHRESULTS IN INCREASED RISK OF OCCUPANT INJURY IN A SUDDEN STOP OR ACCIDENT.
REPAIR THE KNEE BOLSTER TO ALLOW CLEARANCE AND AVOID IMPEDANCE OF STEERING COLUMN MOVEMENT DURING FRONTAL IMPACT.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Engine profile gasket for m42 engine 4cyl, 16 valve has failed allowing all coolant fluid to leak from engine.*ak”
“The vehicle experienced a coolant leak. *jb the coolant leaked from a faulty profile gasket. The faulty gasket was the subject of a recall but the consumers vehicle was not included due to vin. The consumer paid for the repairs and requested reimbursement. The manufacturer reviewed the case and…”
“Driver's side seat belt buckle will not latch and passenger's side seat belt will latch intermittently. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. *ak manufactuer and dealer unwilling to help, consumer replaced with second hand parts. *tt”
“Consumer put key into ignition and it wouldn't turn at all. *ak”
“I have recently discovered how many other vehicles of this type (bmw e30 m42) have been plaqued with this exact failure. With so many vehicles affected isn't a recall in order? This repair/fix cost me $1258.43 and bmw knew the problem existed!”
“I have recently discovered how many other vehicles of this type (bmw e30 m42) have been plaqued with this exact failure. With so many vehicles affected isn't a recall in order? This repair/fix cost me $1258.43 and bmw knew the problem existed!”
“Engine gasket failure.”
“Timing case profile gaskets failed which in turn releases all coolant in the system.”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1991 BMW 318i as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.