BMW 320i years to avoid (and the best years)

122 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls across 4 model years, 2014 to 2018. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

122complaints
7recalls
13reported crashes
2reported fires
11reported injuries

Which BMW 320i years should you avoid?

No BMW 320i model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical BMW 320i year has 28 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2014 (51).

What are the best BMW 320i years?

The BMW 320i years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2018 (16), 2016 (22) and 2015 (33). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2018	16	0.6×	0	5	3	Few red flags	Electrical system
2016	22	0.8×	0	4	4	Few red flags	Brakes
2015	33	1.2×	3	0	0	Few red flags	Engine
2014	51	1.9×	7	4	4	Some concerns to check	Engine

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 3 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Other systems3 (100%)

Recalls (7)

Airbags · 25V871000 · Dec 2025 · model year 2014
An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 24V527000 · Jul 2024 · model years 2014, 2015
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Airbags · 24V288000 · Apr 2024 · model years 2014, 2015
An inflator that ruptures may cause sharp metal fragments to enter or exit the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury. Additionally, an inflator that leaks gas may only partially inflate during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Exterior lighting · 15V520000 · Aug 2015 · model years 2014, 2015
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 15V189000 · Mar 2015 · model year 2014
If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 14V627000 · Oct 2014 · model year 2014
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 13V454000 · Sep 2013 · model year 2014
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.