1978 BMW 320I

4 recalls, 3 complaints - 2 TSBs

80V076000 Jun 19, 1980
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS
Defect Description
WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE EXTREMELY HIGH TEMPERATURES THAT CAN OCCUR IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE DAMPER SLEEVES WHICH COVER THE RETURN SPRINGS OF THE ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEM CAN DEFORM AND PREVENT THEIR RETURNING THE THROTTLE TO IDLE POSITION AFTER RELEASE OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
Remedy
DEALER WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE RETURN DAMPER SLEEVES WITH NEW SLEEVES OF HIGH TEMPERATURE-RESISTANT PLASTIC MATERIAL.
66,600 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
78V074000 Apr 4, 1978
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
Defect Description
THE HEX HEAD BOLT THAT CONNECTS THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS TO TERMINAL #30 MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE FUSE PANEL AND RETIGHTEN THE 5-MM HEX HEAD BOLT IN THE MAIN POWER TERMINAL UNDERNEATH THE FUSE PANEL, WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
28,819 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
78V061000 Mar 24, 1978
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
Defect Description
DUE TO THE HIGH FUEL FLOW RATE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, CONDITIONS OF EXTREME ALTITUDE, TEMPERATURES, OR FUEL CONTAMINATION, MAY LEAD TO THE FORMATION OF FUEL VAPOR BUBBLES.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUEL PUMP IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.
32,500 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE
78V056000 Mar 13, 1978
TIRES
Defect Description
DUE TO A MATERIAL STUCTURAL DEFECT, THE RUBBER SEAL BETWEEN THE METAL VALVE STEM AND RIM ALLOWS SLOW SEEPAGE OF AIR AROUND THE VALVE BASE.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE METAL TIRE VALVE STEMS AND RUBBER SEALS WITH NEW ONES, AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER.
4,681 vehicles affected
Manufacturer: BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE

Complaint Statistics

3 total complaints 3 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Dec 2, 2003
Incident date: Apr 18, 2002
AFTER DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND SITTING AT A STOP SIGN HEATER CORE EXPLODED. SCALDING HOT WATER GUSHED FROM BENEATH THE DASH BOARD. CONSUMER SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON THE LEGS AND FEET. THE SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NOT COME UNDONE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *AK
1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Dec 2, 2003
Incident date: Apr 18, 2002
AFTER DRIVING AT 30 MPH AND SITTING AT A STOP SIGN HEATER CORE EXPLODED. SCALDING HOT WATER GUSHED FROM BENEATH THE DASH BOARD. CONSUMER SUSTAINED THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON THE LEGS AND FEET. THE SEAT BELT LATCH WOULD NOT COME UNDONE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *AK
1 injured
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE Aug 23, 1999
Incident date: Jul 28, 1998
THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED CAUSING SERVERE INJURY TO DRIVING WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE. *YC
1 injured

Technical Service Bulletins, 1978 BMW 320I

2 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

ComponentBulletins
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS1
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B510819 Jan 16, 2024
133000 VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, BMW 320I

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE13030 Opened: Sep 6, 2013 , Closed: Oct 25, 2013
PE, Closed , Model Year: 2012
Loss of power assist braking
In a letter dated September 26, 2013, BMW Group submitted a safety recall notice to NHTSA identifying a defect condition in the vacuum pump oil supply that may result in loss of power assist braking in 76,191 model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 BMW 3-Series, 5-Series, X1 SAV, X3 SAV, and Z4 vehicles e... Read more
DP78034 Opened: May 2, 1978 , Closed: Jul 24, 1978
DP, Closed , Model Year: 1977
SPARK PLUG FOULING
SPARK PLUG FOULING

BMW 320I - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the BMW 320I across all model years (1977, 2015).

31 Total Recalls
247 Total Complaints
2 Investigations
31 Reported Crashes
8 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

BMW 320I - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2018 0 35 View
2017 0 13 View
2016 0 40 View
2015 3 46 View
2014 7 80 View
2013 3 13 View
2012 3 5 View
2005 1 0 View
2004 1 2 View
2003 1 0 View
2002 1 1 View
2001 1 0 View
2000 1 0 View
1982 0 1 View
1980 0 6 View
1979 1 1 View
1978 (current) 4 3
1977 4 0 View

Other BMW Models

Model Recalls Complaints
X5 223 4,349 View
X3 155 2,661 View
330I 122 1,050 View
X6 110 293 View
328I 108 3,743 View
M3 95 550 View
Z4 83 1,439 View
325I 83 1,809 View