VehicleVerdict

1979 BMW 320 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1979 BMW 320 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

1

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1979 compare to other 320 years?

320 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted12 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1989: 1 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 1 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 7 complaints1999: 2 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 12 complaints2002: 0 complaints
320 NHTSA complaints by model year, 1979 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all 320 years to avoid →

What are the most common 1979 BMW 320 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Steering1100%

Does the 1979 BMW 320 have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

79V001000Fuel SystemJanuary 12, 1979 · 4,229 units

Defect

TO PREVENT VAPOR LOCK, AN AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP IS INCORPORATED IN THE FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. THE WIRING CONNECTIONS AT THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP MAY NOT MAKE PROPER CONTACT, RENDERING THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP INOPERATIVE. DRIVING UNDER CONDITIONS OF EXTREMELY HIGH ALTITUDE, HIGH TEMPERATURES, OR FUEL CONTAMINATION, WITH THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP INOPERATIVE COULD ALLOW VAPOR BUBBLES TO FORM. THIS MAY LEAD TO ROUGH ENGINE RUNNING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALLING.

Remedy

DEALER WILL HAVE THE WIRING CONNECTIONS TO THE AUXILIARY FUEL PUMP SOLDERED AT NO COST TO OWNER.

1979 BMW 320 — common questions

Is the 1979 BMW 320 reliable?

The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 1979 BMW 320 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1979 BMW 320. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.