RoadVitals

2014 BMW M235I

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
5
Latest Oct 2, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Dec 17, 2025
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 BMW M235I, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 292 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Engine225.0%
  • Powertrain (other)225.0%
  • Airbags112.5%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%
  • Interior & seats112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
25V871000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:HEAD

Dec 17, 2025
851 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
24V288000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Apr 24, 2024
5,761 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. The head air bag inflator may fail at the weld joint, which can cause gas to leak from the inflator or result in an inflator rupture.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
15V189000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Mar 31, 2015
18,054 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
The risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2020

DUE TO THE POORLY DESIGNED OILING SYSTEM IN THE N55 ENGINE. WHEN THE CAR IS SUBJECTED TO HIGH G FORCES FROM THINGS SUCH AS TRACK DRIVING OR SPIRITED DRIVING. THE OIL SLOSHES IN IN THE PAN AND THE OIL PICK UP DOESN'T GET ANY OIL. THEREFORE THE ENGINE OIL STARVES AND MY CASE PRODUCES ROD KNOCK. WHICH BASICALLY MEANS THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON TRACK WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE CAR HAD FRESH OIL AND WAS FILLED TO THE MAX. GOT A DRIVETRAIN WARNING, COOLED THE CAR DOWN. WOULDN'T RESTART UNLESS A JUMP BOX WAS USED TO GET ENOUGH CRANKING POWER. ONCE RESTARTED THE ENGINE HAD DEVOLPED A ROD KNOCK.

NHTSA ID
11362413
Incident
Sep 29, 2020
Mileage
84,400 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 18, 2018

WHEN CAR IS PARKED, DRIVER SIDE DOOR OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN PULLING ON DOOR HANDLE. THE LOCK ON THE DOOR WILL COME UP, BUT WILL NOT STAY AND RETURNS TO LOCKED POSITION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED BY USING THE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON OR UNLOCK BUTTON ON KEY.

NHTSA ID
11102415
Incident
Jun 17, 2018
Mileage
30,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Mar 18, 2018

WHILE PARKED I WAS MOVING THE DRIVER SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY BACK AND THEN TRIED TO MOVE IT FORWARD AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS STUCK IN THE POSITION. THE SEAT WOULD NOT RESPOND AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT FINALLY RESPONDED. AFTER THIS THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID 'DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION'

NHTSA ID
11080055
Incident
Mar 15, 2018
Mileage
32,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 2, 2017

AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE EXPRESSWAY (TRYING TO GET TO 70MPH) THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND A WARNING FLASHED UP SAYING "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY". I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE. AFTER WHICH I WAS RESTRICTED TO 50MPH AND AROUND 1700RPM. CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND SLOW AND WAS DANGEROUS CONSIDERING I WAS ON AN EXPRESSWAY.

NHTSA ID
10958057
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
43,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 11, 2015

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 11 AM AT 35 MPH AND THE CAR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION SEE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CAR JUST STALLED. YOU COULD NOT START ENGINE BECAUSE LATER ON ABOUT A WEEK WE LEARNED THAT IT WAS A BMW RECALL OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH THE DEALER WASN'T EVEN INFORMED ON BY BMW CORPORATE. I COULDN'T EVEN GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULDN'T START SO THE CAR KEPT GOING BACK INTO PARK SO THE CAR WOULDN'T ROLL AS SAFETY FEATURE. WE NOTIFIED BMW EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE AND IT TOOK THEM 7 HOURS TO SEND TOW TRUCK AFTER 3 DIFFERENT CALLS BACK INTO THEM. THE FIRST TOW TRUCK THEY SENT COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE AS OF 2010 BMW TOOK OUT FROM THEIR CARS AN EMERGENCY BACK UP WAY TO GET THE CAR IN NEUTRAL.

NHTSA ID
10715621
Incident
Apr 27, 2015
Mileage
6,599 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

B340714

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. CAUSE Material-

B651523

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode) Enabling Codes repeatedly fails.

B840822

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be available. In the 4G network, voice calls will be transferred via the Voice over LTE (VoLTE) function. For this purpose, the SIM card must perform an IMS registration in the mobile communication network. Due to a production error, the telematics control units were delivered without an IMS configuration. The Connected Drive voice services (Concierge Call, BMW Assistance, and emergency call voice) can no longer be used regionally in the US in vehicle with telematics control units ATM-1 and TCB-4G. Voice control of the vehicle and all other telephone (paired mobile devices) functions are not affected. Emergency call location data is unaffected.

B122519

POWER TRAIN

After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or Neutral "N" position without any customer influence.

SIB662419

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column. Note: Opening, closing and starting via the BMW Digital Key or the Digital Key Card are not affected.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW M235I by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2022100—
2021020—
2020010—
2017000—
2016800—
2015520—
2014Viewing530—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.