BMW 320i complaints by model year
156 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2014 | 53 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| 2013 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →
Problem areas by model year
Complaints that name each component, 1982–2018. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.
| Component | 1982 | 2002 | 2004 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| Unknown or other | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Air bags | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Power train | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
BMW 320i recalls (8)
Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one 320i model year, newest first.
| Campaign | Filed | What | Model years | Repaired |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25V871000 | Dec 17, 2025 | Air Bag Inflators May Rupture | 2014 | 17.3% |
| 24V527000 | Jul 11, 2024 | Driver's Air Bag Inflator May Explode | 2014, 2015 | 43.8% |
| 24V288000 | Apr 24, 2024 | Air Bag Inflators May Rupture | 2014, 2015 | 34.8% |
| 20V018000 | Jan 15, 2020 | Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflators May Explode | 2000–2005 | 42.4% |
| 15V520000 | Aug 17, 2015 | Side Marker Lamps Inoperative/FMVSS 108 | 2012–2015 | 91.6% |
| 15V189000 | Mar 31, 2015 | Improper Plating on Fuel Pump may Result in Stall | 2014 | 90.3% |
| 14V627000 | Oct 7, 2014 | Loss of Brake Assist/Vacuum Pump Lubrication | 2012, 2013, 2014 | 94.9% |
| 13V454000 | Sep 26, 2013 | Loss of Brake Assist/Vacuum Pump Lubrication | 2012, 2013, 2014 | 96.9% |
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.
Check on NHTSA ↗Crash-test stars by model year
| Model year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Tested as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ★★★★★ | 4★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr rwd |
| 2014 | ★★★★★ | 4★ | 5★ | 5★ | 4 dr rwd |
Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Source: NHTSA NCAP, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy by model year
EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Where to next
BMW 320i FAQ
How many recalls has the BMW 320i had?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns that cover at least one BMW 320i model year from 1982 to 2018. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.
Which BMW 320i year has the most complaints?
Among the last 10 model years with settled counts, the 2014 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (53) and the 1982 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.
What are the most common BMW 320i problems?
Across the 1982–2018 model years, owners most often name the engine, electrical system, unknown or other in complaints filed with NHTSA.
What mpg does the BMW 320i get?
EPA rates the 2018 BMW 320i at 27 to 28 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.