The 1991 BMW 318is has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 13,500 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 7 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.
“The head gasket was replaced twice. *jb”
“This has been a widely reported failure on early 1990s 318 models. No safety defect listed. *ak”
“Timing case profile gasket failure is verh high for the motor. Unexpected loss of engine coolant, which leaks slowly or all at once is due to gaskets design.”
“While driving at high speed, 65mph, the profile gasket in my engine failed. Large amounts of steam came out of the engine compartment and resulted in a condition of almost zero visibility. My windshield was covered with antifreeze and I could not see throught he steam. I believe this failure to be…”
“While driving at high speed, 65mph, the profile gasket in my engine failed. Large amounts of steam came out of the engine compartment and resulted in a condition of almost zero visibility. My windshield was covered with antifreeze and I could not see throught he steam. I believe this failure to be…”
“Engine gasket failure, causing a sudden loss of coolant on the roadway under the driving wheels.”
“Timing case profile gasket failure is verh high for the motor. Unexpected loss of engine coolant, which leaks slowly or all at once is due to gaskets design.”
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 318is as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.