NHTSA vehicle safety data

2003 BMW 318I Recalls & Complaints

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2003 BMW 318I right now, so this page doesn't state a recall count — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for current campaigns. 3 owner complaints are on file.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2003 BMW 318I.

2003 BMW 318I owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 BMW 318I, describing incidents dated January 28, 2003 to December 31, 2003.

Most-cited components

Engine 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
Service Brakes 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #10051451 · Filed 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…
ODI #10024648 · Filed June 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IDLES IT SHUTS OFF. DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK
ODI #10005913 · Filed January 29, 2003
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT INTO THE STREET WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. PH

Read all 3 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2003 BMW 318I in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA09-019: Rear Lamp Illumination
Closed September 28, 2011
- Recall 11V-438
Preliminary Evaluation PE09-036: REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
Closed December 22, 2009
- Recall 11V-438
Defect Petition DP09-002: REAR LAMP ILLUMINATION
Closed August 6, 2009

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the 2003 BMW 318I right now — this is not a confirmed "no recalls". Check the VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls for the official status.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2003 BMW 318I. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

3 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 BMW 318I.

Exterior Lighting

ODI #10051451

Incident: December 31, 2003 · Filed: 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. THANK YOU, DAN STERNBERG

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10024648

Incident: February 15, 2003 · Filed: June 23, 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHEN VEHICLE IDLES IT SHUTS OFF. DEALER STATES THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10005913

Incident: January 28, 2003 · Filed: January 29, 2003

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT INTO THE STREET WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON. PH

Other BMW 318I model years

Check your 2003 BMW 318I VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 318I at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a BMW VIN