2003 Bmw 318I: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
2,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data updated: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 3 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 33.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 3 |
2003: 3
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005913 · 2003-01-29 (January 29, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT INTO THE STREET WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10005913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024648 · 2003-06-23 (June 23, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IDLES IT SHUTS OFF. DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10024648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051451 · 2003-12-31 (December 31, 2003)
I WAS BLINDED TONIGHT BY THE HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE HEADLIGHTS ON A CAR 100 OR MORE FEET FROM ME THAT WAS COMING OUT OF A GAS STATION. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE GAS STATION AND BECUASE O BEING BLINDED I DIDN'T SEE A ROAD DIVIDER. MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HIT IT A A LOW SPEED AND BLEW THE TIRE AND BENT THE RIM. OBVIOUSLY THE OTHER DRIVER DIDN'T KNOW I EXISTED OR HAD BEEN FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY IMPACTED BY HIS HEADLIGHTS BUT IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME WHEN SOME UNEXPLAINED FATAL ACCIDENT WILL HAVE THE SAME ROOTS.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10051451 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
3 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 2001 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 337.5%ODI 10067830 · 71,117 miENGINE PROFILE GASKET FOR M42 ENGINE 4CYL, 16 VALVE HAS FAILED ALLOWING ALL COOLANT FLUID TO LEAK FROM ENGINE.*AK | 450.0%ODI 537617I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH OVER THE INTERNET FOR THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ONE. I AM COMPLETELY AMAZED THAT BMW IS NOT COVERING THIS REPAIR OF THIS, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. | 763.6%ODI 529596WATER LEAKS OUT OF THE ENGINE GASKET RIGHT ABOVE THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR. IT LEAKS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OFF AND WILL DRAIN THE RADIATOR DOWN TO THE LEVEL OF THE GASKET. | 214.3%ODI 556440WHILE DRIVING THE OVER-HEATING LIGHT CAME ON, DEALER FOUND HEAD GASKET TO BE CRACKED, CONSUMER SAYS THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW TO THE PROFILE GASKET WHICH CAN LEAK AND OVER A PERIOD OF TIME CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *SLC | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10024648 · 2,900 miCONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IDLES IT SHUTS OFF. DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 112.5%ODI 10032495 · 68,881 miTHE 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 DECIDED NOT TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONSUMER HAS THE OLD PART IN HER POSSESSION. *TS *NLM | 112.5%ODI 10080772 · 57,484 miFAULTY PROFILE GASKET ON 1992 BMW 318I ENGINE. *AK | 327.3%ODI 710621WELL KNOWN M42 ENGINE PROFILE GASKET FAILURE ALLOWS COOLANT TO SPILL AND RENDERS VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE WITHOUT WARNING. | 214.3%ODI 560955WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY, VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND RED LIGHT CAME ON, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT HEAD GASKET CONTAINED A CRACK WHICH CAUSED COOLANT TO LEAK AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE HEAD, CONSUMER WAS ALSO ADVISED BY REPUTABLE BMW DEALERS THAT VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH A FAULTY PART CALLED THE PROFILE GASKET AND IT IS WELL KNOWN, BUT MANUFACTURER DOES NOT WANT TO RECOGNIZE IT AS A PROBLEM, CONSUMER HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED COOLING SYSTEM PROBLEMS TWICE, THE FIRST REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE … | 17.1%ODI 10189353 · 80,000 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 BMW 318I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 98V178000 CONCERNING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM. HE STATED THAT THE WATER PUMP FAILED AND WOULD COST $800.00 TO REPAIR. HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. HE FIRST NOTICED THE FAILURE APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. AS A RESULT, HIS VEHICLE STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY , AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK AGO THE FA… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 535.7%ODI 10063442 · 124,000 miELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR ABS AND AIRBAGS FAILED AT 124,000 MILES. *LA *JB | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 10476000 · 91,000 miTL* 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. TH… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 812463WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SURGES, THE ENGINE RACES TO HIGH RPM AND THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. CONTACTED THE DEALER, CAUSE OF PROBLEM WAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 758915INITIAL THROTTLE RECALL (NHTSE #97V131000) PERFORMED 5-13-98. PROBLEMS RELATING TO CRUISE CONTROL/BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUE. (PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE IRREGULARITIES IN SEVERAL FIELDS OF THE QUESTIONAIRE THAT SHOW UP INCORRECTLY ON THE FINAL CHART.) | 17.1%ODI 10936301 · 358,000 miTHE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK AND CANNOT STOP AND RPM ARE RED LINING. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY I WAS PULLING INTO WORK TO PARK AND THAT'S WHEN THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK AND THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP HIGH TO 500 RPM. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 337.5%ODI 10138097 · 78,500 miCRUISE 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 112.5%ODI 876191WHEN STRIKING A WALL HEAD-ON AT 40 MPH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK | 112.5%ODI 855407AIR BAG CONTACT RING ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. WHEN THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE RING WAS REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 96V110000 BMW/INTERIOR; PASSIVE RESTRAINT: AIR BAG:DRIVER. *AK *ML | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 835637VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS. UPON IMPACT OF APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MPH HEAD-ON COLLISION, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WILL HAVE VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IF NEEDED. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 266.7%ODI 8010793CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, SHE HIT A CEMENT WALL AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB VEHICLE TOTALLED AND CONSUMER WAS INJURED.. *TT | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 112.5%ODI 865697CONSUMER PUT KEY INTO IGNITION AND IT WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 846685WHEN ONSUMER'S SON GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE AND LOCKED DOORS MANUALLY. THEN TRIED TO TURN ON ENGINE, BUT THE ENGINE DID NOT START. DRIVER TRIED TO GET OUT OF VEHICLE, AND HE COULDN'T BECAUSE THE DOOR WON'T UNLOCK. SOMEHOW HE OPENED THE SUN ROOF AND GOT OUT. THEN UNLOCKED DOOR WITH KEY. *AK | 17.1%ODI 10063218CONSUMER HAS TROUBLE STARTING VEHICLE. IT TAKES HER ABOUT 5-6 TIMES TURNING THE KEY BEFORE VEHICLE WILL START. IT SOUNDS AS IF THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH.*AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 225.0%ODI 10046916IGNITION 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: [email removed] *LA | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Unknown Or Other | 112.5%ODI 730570I 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! | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 832725VEHICLE HAD BLOWN AN ENGINE HEAD GASKET AT 46,000 MILES.ALSO, IGNITION WAS NOT WORKING. HAD NO WARNING PRIOR TO SEEING STEAM COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHUT VEHICLE DOWN & THEN RESTARTED. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STILL CAME BACK ON. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 17.1%ODI 818655WHILE DRIVING ALL THE LIGHTS WILLL GO OFF AND THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO START THE VEHICLE UP AGAIN. DEALER SAID SOMETIMES THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR MAT WOULD HIT THE GAS PEDAL, AND THAT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SHUT OFF. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.5%ODI 851785THERE 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 214.3%ODI 10032514CONSUMER STATED UNDER RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE'S FLOOR BOARDS FILL WITH WATER. THIS SHORTED OUT THE COMPUTER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 120.0%ODI 10017115 · 78,000 miBOARD LEVEL FAILURE ON AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE CONTROL UNIT. FAILURE SO WIDESPREAD THAT NO OEM OR RENEWED PARTS DEALER HAS INVENTORY. *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Too few reports for a range | 2,900 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10024648 · 2,900 miCONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IDLES IT SHUTS OFF. DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2001: 4 complaints · 2003: 3 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| 2003 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2003 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Exterior Lighting:Headlights | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | — | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 0 | — | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 0 | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.