May 5, 2004 incident: driver's door latch fails to work ... So that the door flies open while driving ... And can not be completely closed and/or locked when parked. I am the original owner of a 1992 bmw 318is 2-door sedan with only 34,319 miles. The car has only been driven occasionally over the years (only by myself) and has never been in an accident. The problem: I unlocked and drove my car today (may 5, 2004). I went to two destinations and closed and locked the car each time without a problem. After my second stop, I unlocked the car, entered it, and closed the door behind me without realizing there was a problem. I drove away and while making a turn, the door suddenly flew open. I was able to stop in a safe area without having an accident. I looked at the door's latch and where it connects with the body and saw nothing wrong ... But the door would not close or latch securely. I checked the passenger side front door and it looked similar to the driver's side. I then drove my stick-shift car home, while holding the driver's door as closed as possible with my (recently, surgically operated on) left arm. I then phoned the federal safety agency. Obviously, a car's doors must close and lock properly to keep its passengers safe. A car driven occasionally, with only 34,319 miles, certainly shouldn't have something like this happen. Fortunately, I was just a few miles from home and the car is always garaged. Thank you in advance for reviewing this case. Sincerely, charles dreyfuss p.s. I've indicated '3 failures' only because I've tried to close and lock this car several times once I got it in my home's garage with no success.
The worst 1992 BMW 318IS problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Body2
- Locks1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Body2
- Locks1
Recalls 3
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A malfunction or failure of a coolant system component, such as a thermostat, water pump, or fan belt, can result in significantly increased coolant temperature and system pressure. If the indications of a critical overheating condition is not noticed by the driver, it is possible that damage to, or failure of, a coolant system component could occur.
- Risk
- If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new design radiator cap to control pressure and provide greater coolant overflow in the event of overheating.
Recall number 98V178000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 97V131000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- The air bag contact ring locking tab located in the steering wheel assembly can break without warning.
- Risk
- If this happens, the contact ring wiring could eventually break. The air bag readiness indicator lamp (SRS or airbag) in the instrument cluster will illuminate, and the air bag would not deploy in the event of a frontal impact vehicle collision.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the locking tab with one of a different design.
Recall number 96V110000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1992 BMW 318IS 1
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
What 1992 BMW 318IS owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Driver's inside door handle broke which caused door not to open from inside. In event of a emergency driver cannot go out from driver's door. Please provide further information.
After car passed through car wash, would not start; towed car to dealer and was advised this is a common occurrence is 3-series models and was quoted $1500 to repair. Dealer did complete service 8 weeks earlier and did not inform me of water intrusion problems due to weathering trim.
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Questions about the 1992 BMW 318IS
Is the 1992 BMW 318IS reliable?
Owners have filed 3 complaints about the 1992 BMW 318IS, fewer than a typical 318IS model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1992 BMW 318IS?
Body and structure, with 2 complaints. Next is locks (1).
How many recalls does the 1992 BMW 318IS have?
3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control and air bags.
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