Total Complaints
12 filings
BMW 318I · model year
1998 BMW 318I
12 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998BMW318I carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1998 318I is vehicle speed control with 3 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (2) and electrical system:ignition:switch (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 34 investigation files overlapping the 1998 318I. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
12
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20120919CrashAIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 BMW 318I. WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT BECAME INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS THE CONTACT WAS CRASHING INTO THE SECOND VEHICLE, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE HORN JUST AS THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE LEFT ARM, CAUSING HIS LEFT SHOULDER TO BECOME DISLODGED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WAS LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE HORN WAS ALSO LOCATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 91,000
20050929VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND OBVIOUSLY DOES NOT DECELERATE WHEN EXPECTED. I WOULD LIKE TO REFER TO NHTSA RECALL NO.: 97V131. *NM
Mileage: 78,500
20031114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE KEY STARTED ROTATING IN IGNITION WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF ROAD AND REMOVED KEY. ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. ONLY WAY TO SHUT OFF VEHICLE WAS TO DISCONNECT BATTERY. EMAIL: EDWARDSEAFELDT@HOTMAIL.COM *LA
20020108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
CONSUMER WAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND WENT TO PUT KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START VEHICLE, SHE TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION TO TURN VEHICLE OFF AND VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING, SHE DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT CYLINDER LOCK SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK *JB
20010327ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED CONTINUALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ENGINE/THROTTLE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE INTERMITTENTLY AND EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL VEHICLE IS REPAIRED PROPERLY. MJS
20010327VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED CONTINUALLY FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR ENGINE/THROTTLE RELATED PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE INTERMITTENTLY AND EXPERIENCE NO START CONDITIONS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING, THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VEHICLE HOWEVER THE CONSUMER DOES NOT FEEL VEHICLE IS REPAIRED PROPERLY. MJS
20010327VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. MJS
20010327ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
BATTERY REPLACED. MJS
20010214CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BMW IS CURRENTLY DENYING THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM IN THE PAST, DESPITE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 97V131000. CURRENTLY, THEY ARE REFUSING TO PROVIDE ANYTHING ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH IS STILL WARRANTIED. NO SUMMARY LISTED.
20001002POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANS POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING (LOUD NOISE). *AK
20001002POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AUTOMATIC TRANS POPS OUT OF 1ST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING (LOUD NOISE). *AK
19991026UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE ISN'T ANY COVER FOR THE LUGGAGE THAT GOES OVER THE TRUNK LID WHICH VAPORS ARE GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE, AND MAKING THE CONSUMER SICK. *AK
Compare 1998BMW318I to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1998 BMW 318I have?▼
The 1998 BMW 318I has 12 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 BMW 318I?▼
The most-complained component for the 1998 BMW 318I is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH.
Is the 1998 BMW 318I safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.