1978 BMW 320I — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
3
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1978 BMW 320I
The 1978 BMW 320I has received a total of 3 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 4 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD. The most commonly reported problem area is the Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 1978 BMW 320I
NHTSA has recorded 4 recalls for the 1978 BMW 320I, potentially affecting up to 132,600 vehicles.
Recall 80V076000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:SPRINGS
| 66,600 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 78V061000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
| 32,500 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 78V074000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
| 28,819 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Recall 78V056000 — TIRES
| 4,681 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1978 BMW 320I
3 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1978 BMW 320I. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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
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
THE HEATER CORE RUPTURED CAUSING SERVERE INJURY TO DRIVING WHICH RESULTED IN PROPERTY DAMAGE. *YC
Safety Rating for the 1978 BMW 320I
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1978 BMW 320I in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1978 BMW 320I
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1978 BMW 320I
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW 320I
- 1977 BMW 320I — 0 complaints
- 1978 BMW 320I (current)
- 1979 BMW 320I — 1 complaint
- 1980 BMW 320I — 6 complaints
- 1982 BMW 320I — 1 complaint