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Bmw 320 — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Bmw 320 model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
26
Years to Avoid
2002, 2001, 2000, 1979, 1978, 1977
Best Years
1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1980
2002Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2001Avoid
12 complaints1 recalls4 TSBs
2000Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1999
2 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1998
7 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1997
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1996
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1995
2 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1994Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1993Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1992Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1991Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1990Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1989
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1988Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1987Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1986Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1985Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1984Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1983Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1982Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1981
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1980Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1979Avoid
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1978Avoid
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1977Avoid
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Bmw 320 Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2002, 2001, 2000, 1979, 1978, 1977 Bmw 320 are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Bmw 320, consider the 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1980 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

26 model years analyzed