Complaints over time
Complaints about the 1978 BMW 320I peaked in 1999, with 1 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. The lighter column runs through October.
Model year
1978 BMW 320I
Body and fuel not decoded. Owner complaints on file from no date to no date.
Recall campaigns covering this model year1133k vehicles or units across those campaigns
Owner complaints0Not enough peers on file
Severity indexNoneCrash, fire, injury or death per 100
First 24 months0Complaints in its first two years
Components
0% of complaints about the 1978 BMW 320I name visibility and wipers
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file. A complaint can name more than one component; it is counted under the first.
Recalls
One recall campaign covers the 1978 BMW 320I
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80V-076 | Jun 19, 1980 | When subjected to the extremely high temperatures that can occur in the engine compartment, the damper sleeves which cover the return springs of… | Speed control | 66,600 | Part replacement |
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.
Owner complaints
What owners reported about the 1978 BMW 320I
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
2 complaints on file, page 1 of 1.
- Filed Dec 2, 2003Failure Apr 18, 200260,000 milesSacramento, CABuckle assembly, Heater core1 injured
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
NHTSA complaint 10049897 - Filed Jul 7, 1999Failure Jul 28, 1998Memphis, TNHeater core1 injured
THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED CAUSING SERVERE INJURY TO DRIVING WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE. *YC
NHTSA complaint 546506
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints file.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on file
- DP78034 Defect petition, Electrical system
SPARK PLUG FOULING
Opened May 2, 1978, closed Jul 24, 1978
Source: NHTSA ODI investigations file.
Service bulletins
1 manufacturer communication cover this model year
Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall.
- B510819 Jan 16, 2024 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications files.