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Bmw 320i — Years to Avoid

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

Model Years
42
Years to Avoid
2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013
Best Years
2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1981
2018
35 complaints0 recalls1 invest.94 TSBs
2017Avoid
13 complaints0 recalls1 invest.276 TSBs
2016Avoid
38 complaints0 recalls1 invest.351 TSBs
2015Avoid
44 complaints3 recalls1 invest.419 TSBs
2014Avoid
79 complaints7 recalls2 invest.484 TSBs
2013Avoid
13 complaints3 recalls2 invest.528 TSBs
2012
5 complaints3 recalls1 invest.42 TSBs
2011Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2010Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2009Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2008Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2007Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2006Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
2005
0 complaints1 recalls6 TSBs
2004
2 complaints1 recalls3 TSBs
2003
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2002
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2001
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
2000
0 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1999Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1998Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1997Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1996Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1995Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
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
1989Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
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
1982
1 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1981Best Year
0 complaints0 recalls
1980
6 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1979
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1978
3 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1977
0 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1 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 320i Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 Bmw 320i 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 320i, consider the 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1981 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

42 model years analyzed