- The problem
- 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.
- The fix
- The dealer will replace defective metal tire valve stems and rubber seals with new ones, at no cost to the customer.
Vehicle safety record
1978 BMW 320 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1978 BMW 320 with NHTSA, most often about the visibility & wipers (1). Those complaints describe 1 injury. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 1978 for the tires. For comparison, the 1977 has 0 and the 1979 has 1.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical 320 year, for its age
#15 most complained-about 1978 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1978 BMW 320 problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1978 BMW 320 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
Be the first 320 owner to share.
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1 complaints about the 1978 BMW 320
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Heater core ruptured while I was driving., Causing coolant to b e expelled. Resulted in severe scalding to my right foot and leg , along with damage to this auto. According to nhtsa campaign # 98v178000, "a malfunction of a coolant system component...Can result in a significantly incresed coolant temperature and system pressure...If a crack were to form or a seam were to separate in the heater core end piece, hot coolant could suddenly be expelled, increasing the risk of personal injury to a vehicle...
Read the full complaint
occupant...Owner notification is expected to begin during october, 1998..." The heater core rupture which scalded me occurred in july, 1998, which was months before notification from the manufacturer was to begin. Thus, I was not forewarned and to this date I still have not been notified and I have not been able to negotiate relief from bmw. Please have a representative contact me for more details concerning this, the invalid vin on the car (only 7 digits), explanation of the breakdown of the price submitted for reimbursement, the heater core manufacturer's liability, etc. Please give a representative's name and address that I may also send a letter to further clarify this horrific situation. Your timely response is requested and greatly appreciated. Thank you, mr. Ben watson. *Ak
BMW 320: every year compared
All 320 years1978 BMW 320 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 BMW 320 | 1 | 1 | D | |
| 1978 BMW 320I | 2 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 1978 BMW R100RS | 1 | 0 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1978 BMW 320
Does the 1978 BMW 320 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1978 BMW 320: tires (March 1978). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1978 BMW 320?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the visibility & wipers (1).
How many complaints has the 1978 BMW 320 had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 30, 1999 and the latest on June 30, 1999. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1978 BMW 320 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 26 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical BMW 320 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which BMW 320 years have the most complaints?
2001 (10), 1998 (6), 1989 (2). See every BMW 320 year compared.
What should I do if my 1978 BMW 320 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data