The 1984 BMW 3 Series has 4 recalls, with two serious concerns: a heater valve that can overheat and start a fire inside the cabin, and a steering column that can fully disengage during a frontal impact, leaving the driver with no steering control.
The fire risk affects 318i models, where the heater water control valve can stick while closing, causing the solenoid to draw too much current and overheat the wiring and connector. On the steering side, certain 318i, 325, 325e, and 325es models can have the steering column's crash-protection element disengage entirely if the front of the vehicle takes a significant hit, rather than simply limiting rearward travel of the steering wheel as intended. Two additional concerns affect 318i models: a backfire into the intake manifold during an improper cold start can damage the idle control valve, causing the engine to rev uncontrollably if the driver does not respond to the noise and rising tachometer. On certain 318i, 325i, and M3 vehicles, an overheating cooling system can crack the heater core, spraying hot coolant onto the driver's lower right leg and fogging the interior windows.
