2014 BMW 335XI 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 335XI, 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
- Engine430.8%
- Body & structure215.4%
- Fuel system215.4%
- Electrical17.7%
- Brakes17.7%
- Steering17.7%
- Powertrain (other)17.7%
- Driver assistance17.7%
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
What happened: While driving, steering system malfunction warning appeared, power steering felt normal. Within 5 sec the HVAC blower quit, A/C shut off, and “Transmission not in Park” flashed although shifter was untouched (in Drive). All cluster gauges began sweeping randomly; iDrive screen flickered. Within 10 seconds, I heard a loud pop from passenger-side engine bay; voltage warnings continued. Pulled over immediately, switched ignition off, opened hood: active flames at passenger side of engine bay. Fire spread rapidly. Fire dept arrived within 5 min, but vehicle was fully engulfed. Total loss. No injuries. Suspected root cause: BMW’s PCV valve-heater (“blow-by heater”) or electric coolant-pump connector short-circuited, causing a massive current draw that browned out control modules (explaining the cascading warnings) and started the fire. These parts are the subjects of recalls 22V-119 (PCV heater, build cutoff 10 Oct 2013) and 24V-608 (water-pump connector, N20 engines only). My VIN shows NO open recalls, yet the failure sequence and fire origin perfectly match the defects acknowledged in those campaigns. Damage & consequences Complete destruction of vehicle forward of the firewall and significant damage to cabin. Towing, tow-yard and haz-mat cleanup fees incurred in excess of $1300 I only have liability coverage on the vehicle, so insurance will not get involved. Request to NHTSA Please investigate 2014 335i GT (N55) models excluded from 22V-119 and 24V-608. Evidence suggests the same defective components are present and can cause in-motion engine-bay fires. Please advise if I have any recourse on this matter.
MY BMW 2014 335XI GT 63900 MILES VIN:[XXX] SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AND LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT AND STUCK ON ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COST 23K, AND THE REPORTS SAID THE REASON MAY BE DUE TO FUEL PUMP OR PREVIOUS OIL LEAK. THIS ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN LEAVE ANYONE STRANDED ANYWHERE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. NO WARNING LIGHT SHOWED PREVIOUSLY. I WAS DOING REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE AND FIXED THE OIL LEAK. I THOUGHT IT DUE TO THE RECALL CASE BELOW: IMPROPER PLATING ON FUEL PUMP MAY RESULT IN STALL IF THE FUEL PUMP FAILS, THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 MANUFACTURER BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL OF BMW POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 18,054 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY AT MY JOB PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. I AM STILL IN DISABLED THIS HAPPENED. I KNOW I DID NOT BIT THE GAS BY MISTAKE AS THAT I WASN'T USING THE GAS PEDAL I WAS PULLING IN THE SPACE USING THE BRAKE I DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ONLY AND CAN'T PUSH TWO PEDALS AT ONCE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND BACKED OFF THE TRUCK . I'VE PARKED IN PARKING SPACES FOR YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RUBBLE DRAINAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY BMW 2014 335XI GT 63900 MILES VIN:[XXX] SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVING IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY AND LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING LIGHT AND STUCK ON ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SUGGEST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE COST 23K, AND THE REPORTS SAID THE REASON MAY BE DUE TO FUEL PUMP OR PREVIOUS OIL LEAK. THIS ISSUE IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN LEAVE ANYONE STRANDED ANYWHERE. THIS CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. NO WARNING LIGHT SHOWED PREVIOUSLY. I WAS DOING REGULAR OIL CHANGE AND MAINTENANCE AND FIXED THE OIL LEAK. I THOUGHT IT DUE TO THE RECALL CASE BELOW: IMPROPER PLATING ON FUEL PUMP MAY RESULT IN STALL IF THE FUEL PUMP FAILS, THE VEHICLE MAY STALL WITHOUT WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 MANUFACTURER BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC COMPONENTS FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS INDICATED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) BUT VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL OF BMW POTENTIAL NUMBER OF UNITS AFFECTED 18,054 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
VEHICLE STALLED ON ROAD WAY WHILE GOING 50 PLUS MILES AN HOUR. SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. POLICE WERE CALLED. COULD NOT GET CAR TO SHIFT AND MOVE. NEEDED TWO DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS TO GET DOLLIES TO MOVE CAR. BMW REPLACED FUEL PUMP. BMW SAYS WARRANTY ON NHTSA FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE. FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO GET KILLED AS CARS HONKED GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR AROUND ME AT 830 AT NIGHT ON BEACH BLVD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
What happened: While driving, steering system malfunction warning appeared, power steering felt normal. Within 5 sec the HVAC blower quit, A/C shut off, and “Transmission not in Park” flashed although shifter was untouched (in Drive). All cluster gauges began sweeping randomly; iDrive screen flickered. Within 10 seconds, I heard a loud pop from passenger-side engine bay; voltage warnings continued. Pulled over immediately, switched ignition off, opened hood: active flames at passenger side of engine bay. Fire spread rapidly. Fire dept arrived within 5 min, but vehicle was fully engulfed. Total loss. No injuries. Suspected root cause: BMW’s PCV valve-heater (“blow-by heater”) or electric coolant-pump connector short-circuited, causing a massive current draw that browned out control modules (explaining the cascading warnings) and started the fire. These parts are the subjects of recalls 22V-119 (PCV heater, build cutoff 10 Oct 2013) and 24V-608 (water-pump connector, N20 engines only). My VIN shows NO open recalls, yet the failure sequence and fire origin perfectly match the defects acknowledged in those campaigns. Damage & consequences Complete destruction of vehicle forward of the firewall and significant damage to cabin. Towing, tow-yard and haz-mat cleanup fees incurred in excess of $1300 I only have liability coverage on the vehicle, so insurance will not get involved. Request to NHTSA Please investigate 2014 335i GT (N55) models excluded from 22V-119 and 24V-608. Evidence suggests the same defective components are present and can cause in-motion engine-bay fires. Please advise if I have any recourse on this matter.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A HEAVY TRAFFIC HIGHWAY. ROAD CONDITION IS DRY, CLEAN. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SLOWED DOWN, THEN I PRESSED BRAKE. I DIDN'T FEEL ANY SPEED DECREASE SO I PRESSED THE BRAKE EVEN HARDER. I FELT THE BRAKE WAS VERY HARD EVEN IMPOSSIBLE TO PRESS DOWN, WHICH IS VERY STRANGE. BUT MY CAR STILL BUMPED INTO THE FRONT CAR AND STOPPED. THERE WAS SUFFICIENT DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO CARS AND I SHOULD HAVE TOTALLY STOPPED MY CAR IN TIME. I CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP AND BMW MANUFACTURER IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND SENT MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. NOW BMW IS MAKING AN INVESTIGATION ON MY CAR TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY DIAGNOSIS YET. *TR
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
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY AT MY JOB PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. I AM STILL IN DISABLED THIS HAPPENED. I KNOW I DID NOT BIT THE GAS BY MISTAKE AS THAT I WASN'T USING THE GAS PEDAL I WAS PULLING IN THE SPACE USING THE BRAKE I DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ONLY AND CAN'T PUSH TWO PEDALS AT ONCE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND BACKED OFF THE TRUCK . I'VE PARKED IN PARKING SPACES FOR YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE STALLED ON ROAD WAY WHILE GOING 50 PLUS MILES AN HOUR. SHUTTING OFF COMPLETELY. POLICE WERE CALLED. COULD NOT GET CAR TO SHIFT AND MOVE. NEEDED TWO DIFFERENT TOW TRUCKS TO GET DOLLIES TO MOVE CAR. BMW REPLACED FUEL PUMP. BMW SAYS WARRANTY ON NHTSA FOR MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VEHICLE. I AM SCARED FOR MY LIFE. FELT LIKE I WAS GOING TO GET KILLED AS CARS HONKED GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR AROUND ME AT 830 AT NIGHT ON BEACH BLVD.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT YESTERDAY AT MY JOB PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN MY CAR ACCELERATED INTO A PARKED TRUCK. I AM STILL IN DISABLED THIS HAPPENED. I KNOW I DID NOT BIT THE GAS BY MISTAKE AS THAT I WASN'T USING THE GAS PEDAL I WAS PULLING IN THE SPACE USING THE BRAKE I DRIVE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT ONLY AND CAN'T PUSH TWO PEDALS AT ONCE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY AND THEN STARTED IT AGAIN AND BACKED OFF THE TRUCK . I'VE PARKED IN PARKING SPACES FOR YEARS AND NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE .
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 .