NHTSA vehicle safety data
1997 BMW 318IC Recalls & Complaints
The 1997 BMW 318IC has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized BMW dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1997 BMW 318IC. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1997 BMW 318IC owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 1997 BMW 318IC, describing incidents dated November 2, 1997.
Most-cited components
- Visibility/Wiper 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #607189 · Filed
WINDSHIELD CRACKED. *YC
BMW/CRUISE CONTROL-THROTTLE CABLE
NHTSA #97V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control · NHTSA notice
Reported August 19, 1997 · BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
Potentially affected: 410,000 vehicles
Owners notified October 30, 1997 · Vehicles built February 1, 1994 – July 30, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, THE OUTER TUBE COULD CATCH ON THE EDGE OF THE BROKEN BUSHING.
Safety consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE VALVE TO REMAIN PARTIALLY OPEN. IT HIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE CAR MIGHT NOT DECELERATE AS EXPECTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF OCTOBER 1997. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other BMW 318IC model years
Check your 1997 BMW 318IC VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your BMW 318IC at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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