Most common 1995 BMW 318 problems
Share of the 19 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
BMW 318 complaints by model year
Best 318 years: 1997. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
What 1995 BMW 318 owners say
Air bags
Consumer states while driving the vehicle was in accident with another vehicle. Consumer states that the driver side air bag did not deploy on time.the consumer states her head hit the steering wheel then the air bag deployed. Also passenger side air bag did not deploy. Consumer states the vehicle was running at 30mph during impact. Consumer also states the seat belts did not lock up. Dealer notified. Ts
Air bag: driving approximately 30mph when a car ahead stopped. Ran into the back of the car and neither air bag deployed. BMW investigator said air bags should not have gone off. Driver's head smashed his head into the windshield during the accident.
Transmission & drivetrain
I don't have the exact date and speed of failure. My car would not go into gear when shifted while driving at a lower speed. It would also pop out of gear on the road. BMW replaced the transmission on warranty, and said it was a common problem. I've just heard from another person with the 318ti with similar problem. I am concerned that there is no recall on BMW's part because of the possible danger of having your transmission going out while driving.
Electrical system
The vehicle began blowing fuses causing many of the systems to quite functioning. We replace with fuses the same size as it ask for and it started melting fuses causing fuel pump to quit working adquately.
1995 BMW 318 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 29 / 23 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1995 BMW 318 a good car?
Based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1995 318 rates use caution: 3.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the 318 at the same age. It is one of the 318 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1995 BMW 318?
The air bags — 7 complaints, 37% of all complaints for this model year, most often about frontal. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (4) and electrical system (3).
How many recalls does the 1995 BMW 318 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1995 BMW 318. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the BMW 318?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full BMW 318 years comparison.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.