2014 BMW 328I Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2014 BMW 328I, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine5826.4%
- Electrical5223.6%
- Brakes219.5%
- Fuel system177.7%
- Airbags156.8%
- Exterior lighting115.0%
- Driver assistance115.0%
- Powertrain (other)94.1%
- Body & structure73.2%
- Seat belts62.7%
- Steering41.8%
- Visibility20.9%
- Interior & seats20.9%
- Suspension20.9%
- Tires & wheels20.9%
- Other / unspecified10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled after overheating the previous day. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valvetronic system needed to be replaced; while the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs, the contact was notified that the vehicle had sustained thermal damage over the weekend, caught fire, and burned completely, leaving only the frame. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. A police and fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was later notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage approximately 100,000.
I was driving in the highway at 65MPH, I heard an audible tone. I looked at speedometer and had a message to to press unlock button to switch gears. Then my engine light came on and was steady. My car went into neutral while driving at 65 mph. Thank god I was able to pull to side. I tried to put back into drive or reverse and no response. It did allow me place in park. It would not start. I had it towed to a BMW service center and they said my engine failed internally.. while driving.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owned a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle stalled after overheating the previous day. The contact stated that an unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed that the valvetronic system needed to be replaced; while the vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting repairs, the contact was notified that the vehicle had sustained thermal damage over the weekend, caught fire, and burned completely, leaving only the frame. The vehicle was unoccupied during the fire. A police and fire department report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was later notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The failure mileage approximately 100,000.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle in the State of California, the contact was made aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000(Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle could not be registered until the recall had been serviced. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
UNKNOWN: Vehicle collided with another vehicle on highway and control system and functions stopped. Airbag on Driver’s Side malfunctioned burning driver with liquid and metal.
The rear brakes cable holder is broken. This is a very common issue with this vehicle and appears to be a safety issue as the cables will hang and rub on the driveshaft. My service advisor, from BMW of Pembroke Pines, FL, Ramon Trull, also advised/ confirms the same. It's an inexpensive part, however, the cost to replace is exorbitant. If you search the web, you'll find many examples. I feel this should be covered under a recall. Please review and advise. Thank you!
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with a fuel pressure low warning message displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System ); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer confirmed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. VIN tool confirms part not available.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light, another vehicle crashed into the entire rear at 50 MPH causing the contact's vehicle to spin around twice and come to a stop in the middle of the street. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not destroyed. Two people were injured, the contact was seated in the driver's seat, and his brother was seated in the front passenger seat. No one else outside of the vehicle was injured. The contact and his brother received injuries to both their heads and backs. Medical treatment was not needed for the injuries. The vehicle was taken to a local body shop where the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
UNKNOWN: Vehicle collided with another vehicle on highway and control system and functions stopped. Airbag on Driver’s Side malfunctioned burning driver with liquid and metal.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
Safety Concern Regarding Left Rear Brake and Turn Light Malfunction in a BMW 328i I want to outline a significant safety concern related to the electrical system. specifically involving the left rear brake and turn signal lights. For several months, intermittent warnings indicated a malfunction in these lights. On New Years, the warnings ceased to be intermittent, and the lights failed completely. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the ground pin within the wiring harness had melted off the tail light connector and fused into the harness itself. The melting of a wiring pin is a critical issue that indicates an electrical fault, likely due to excessive current or resistance, and presents a serious safety risk. The fact that a core safety feature of the vehicle—the brake and turn lights—failed completely due to this issue is a significant concern. This type of malfunction can lead to a rear-end collision, as drivers behind the vehicle would not be properly alerted to braking or turning maneuvers. This situation is not merely an inconvenience but a potential public health and safety hazard. The failure of vehicle safety components, particularly those responsible for signaling, directly increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents, which are a leading cause of injury and death. NHTSA is responsible for ensuring vehicle safety, and the failure of vehicle lighting systems due to a manufacturing or design defect is a violation of these standards and a common factor in accidents (FHA, 2025). this specific issue with my BMW 328i is not an isolated incident. Research into technical service bulletins and consumer complaints reveals that melted wiring harnesses and bulb carriers in the rear taillight assemblies are a known, recurring problem. The prevalence of this issue strongly suggests a systemic design or manufacturing flaw that puts drivers and the public at risk. As a known defect, the failure to address it could lead to significant legal and financial consequence
The left rear turn signal stopped working. Along with the left brake light. Currently getting the part fixed that is causing the issue. Part is being melted by something. Yes there has been warning lamps and messages.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at 45 MPH, the temperature gauge warning light illuminated, and the engine started to overheat. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal became inoperable. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V608000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Starting Dec 1st, the check engine light displayed on my dash and the electrical system has malfunctioned for many features of my vehicle. I am unable to switch to Sport & Eco Mode. The car also takes multiple tries to start the engine. It has been almost 4 months since the recall announcement and remediations are still not available. the engine coolant pump is a direct cause of short circuits and engine problems
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328I. The contact stated while driving at speeds above 55 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle was shaking and vibrating abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the rear differential, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back the dealer who later determined that the transfer case was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was also informed that the suspension arms and bushing also needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 39,800.
2014 BMW 328i Xdrive, 62K miles. Routine oil change and filter change serviced at BMW dealership Feb 2022. March 2022 (<30 days later), suffered catastrophic engine failure related to camshaft oil starvation and sudden loss of power while driving on highway at 60 mph. Dealership investigation unable to determine the cause, ruled out N20 timing chain and oil pump chain issues. Neither BMW NA nor dealership would stand behind engine failure - BMW NA stated the "car is too old." Full engine replacement completed at the expense of the customer ($11K). Very disappointing that an engine would suffer catastrophic failure related to oil starvation within one month of dealership oil service with multi-point inspection. BMW F30 N20 engines have numerous reports of failures.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? + AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN HEAD-ON COLLISION How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? + DUE TO FAILURE, DRIVER SUSTAINED MILD CONCUSSION WHEN HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL AND PUT AT RISK OF LIFE THREATENING INJURY AND IMPAIRMENT Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? + UNKNOWN; HOWEVER, NO RECALL OR WARNINGS HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? + UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? + NO, NONE, NEVER
My interior door handle cannot unlock the door. As I pull on the interior door handle, the door lock pin would come up partially, but it doesn’t unlock or open the door. I tried multiple pulls, because this car required two pulls to unlock.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown
I was driving to target and from a stop I was 75% through the turn when a car ran the stop sign and hit my car straight on . The impact was supposed to deploy the airbags but was not deployed due to a malfunction, I was injured in this accident from my neck down my back . My injury claim is still open with the party at fault.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel locked up not allowing the contact to turn the steering wheel. The contact stated the chassis stabilization warning light was illuminated on the control panel. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it has yet to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 13V454000 (Service brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
MY VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A VERY DEFINED RATTLING SOUND OVER SMALL CRACKS AND BUMPS IN THE ROAD AND THE STEERING BECAME EXTREMELY SENSITIVE AT THE SAME TIME THAT PROBLEM OCCURED. I TOOK IT IN TO GET AN ALIGNMENT AT BELLE TIRE, AND IT IS UP TO SPEC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BMW AND NOBODY IS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY OR STREET, THE CAR TENDS TO PULL IN ONE DIRECTION. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH, AND IT ONLY STARTED OCCURING AFTER A A YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. THE CAR FEELS VERY UNSAFE AND "SENSITIVE" TO STEERING. IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO STAY IN THE CENTER OF THE LANE WILL SWAY LEFT AND RIGHT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Mid-mounted Dash/Display Screen has Delaminated, rendering “rear backup camera display” unusable. Delaminating has progressed over time, rendering screen virtually unusable. Since the camera display is unusable, there is immediate danger that the driver might not see an object immediately behind the vehicle, such as a child, and back into/over, causing injury or death. Note: while watching a YouTube video of ANOTHER BMW vehicle, the same phenomenon, mid-mounted (a BMW i8) display delaminated, was shown, meaning this is NOT unique to my vehicle.
FRONT SIDE PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING AND THE CABLE SNAPPED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. WINDOW WILL NO LONGER ROLL UP AND I'M FORCED TO PUT A GARBAGE BAG TO COVER THE OPEN WINDOW WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. I NO LONGER HAVE VISIBILITY ON MY RIGHT HAND SIDE WHEN DRIVING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
My interior door handle cannot unlock the door. As I pull on the interior door handle, the door lock pin would come up partially, but it doesn’t unlock or open the door. I tried multiple pulls, because this car required two pulls to unlock.
WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING OR A PASSENGER SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF THE CAR SAYS AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WHICH IS GOING TO BE $800 TO FIX THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY BMW THAT THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF MULTIPLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY IN MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
INCOMING AIR TO THE CABIN IS UNSAFE, FUMES ENTER THE CABIN. SUSPENSIN PRESENT CONSTANT ISSUES, PARTS HAVE BROKEN WITH NORMAL WEAR.
JUST AFTER GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY, I GOT AN WARNING MESSAGE THAT READ - "CHASSIS: DRIVE MODERATELY. CONSULT SERVICE CENTER." THIS IS THE 3RD TIME I GOT THIS WARNING. IT HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR SERVICE THE PAST 2 TIMES. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET A GOOD ANSWER FROM THE DEALER AS TO WHAT PROBLEMS THIS MIGHT CAUSE. I DO NOTICE THE SUSPENSION DOESN'T WORK AS WELL WHEN IT THROWS THIS ERROR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
Tire Size: 225/50RF17 Tire Type: Bridgestone Driveguard While driving my car southbound on I225 through Aurora, CO on 5/19/2023, I received an indication of a low right front tire. As I have received this warning when the tire pressure varies due to weather, I proceeded home. When I arrived home in Englewood, CO, I immediately inflated the tire to its proper pressure. After shutting down the compressor, I heard a hiss coming from the tire and found a gash near the rim. The errand that I ran on that day took me from home to I70 and Chambers and back home. At no time during this trip did I recall hitting a pothole or curb that would have caused this. Could it have been from a previous incident? Possibly, but when I took my car to Coloradoland Tire & Service at 6600 S. Quebec, Centennial, CO, the service advisor informed me that another customer had a similar problem (name can be provided upon request) with the same type of tire. Is there a problem with these tires?
I HAVE HAD 5 BLOWOUTS AND 1 TIRE HAS A BUBBLE(ABOUT TO BLOW OUT) IN 13 MONTHS. I HAVE 2 SETS OF WHEELS. THE BRIDGESTONE DRIVEGUARD TIRES HAVE HAD ALL OF THE PROBLEMS. NOT ONE PROBLEM WITH MY MICHELINS. I DRIVE ON THE SAME ROADS WITH BOTH SETS. THE SIDEWALLS ARE EXTREMELY WEAK ON THE BRIDGESTONE. IN 26 YEARS OF DRIVING, THESE ARE THE ONLY TIRES THAT I HAVE GOTTEN A BLOWOUT WITH, AND 5 IN ONE YEAR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
ONE OF THE REAR RIDE HEIGHT SENSORS CONTROLLING THE ADAPTIVE XENON HEADLIGHTS FAILED (BOLT BROKE). THIS CAUSED THE HEADLIGHTS TO AIM DOWN AT THE LIMIT OF THEIR ADJUSTMENT, EFFECTIVELY GIVING THE DRIVER ONLY 20 OR SO FEET OF VISIBILITY AT NIGHT. WE HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO GET ANY REASONABLY VISIBILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .