Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2014 BMW 328XI with NHTSA between 2014 and 2025.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 6 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 13
Against the median year of the BMW 328XI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
23.8% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 80
47% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2014 BMW 328XI
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
523.8%
Median failure at 61,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
314.3%
Median failure at 36,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
314.3%
Median failure at 16,842 miles
Body & Structure
314.3%
Median failure at 42,500 miles
Electrical System
314.3%
Median failure at 148,000 miles
Airbags
29.5%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 2,000 mi
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.8%
Median failure at 6,000 miles
Lights
14.8%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
16.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
320.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
213.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
426.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
320.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
213.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2014peak 2Mar 2025
NHTSA investigations into the 2014 BMW 328XI
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 36,000 milesEmmett, ID1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN SUN ROOF GLASS BROKE WITH OUT ANY THING HITTING IT GLASS CUT ME ON MY RIGHT HAND ARM GLASS WENT EVERY PLACE IN MY FACE
NHTSA complaint #10748886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesFlushing, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15- 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE TEETH, LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE, AND THE JAW THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DENTAL AND PLASTIC SURGERY WERE REQUIRED FOR THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA complaint #10671488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesFlushing, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
BMW 328XI WAS T-BONED BY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF BMW. HIGH IMPACT WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND BODILY INJURY. BMW AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10660304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Edgewood, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11646698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edgewood, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11646698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11628689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Apple Valley, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. 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 manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11628689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesMiddletown, DE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. 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 and confirmed that parts were available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine coolant pump and connector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11614794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 148,000 milesMiddletown, DE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328XI. 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 and confirmed that parts were available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine coolant pump and connector had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
NHTSA complaint #11614794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesLakewood, WA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW NORTHWEST (4011 20TH ST E, TACOMA, WA 98424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO LEAKS WERE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11362751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 61,000 milesLakewood, WA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BMW NORTHWEST (4011 20TH ST E, TACOMA, WA 98424) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO LEAKS WERE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11362751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesManchester, MD
STRUCTURE:BODY
BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS OCCASIONALLY FAIL TO UNLOCK PREVENTING EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 12-15 TIMES TO EITHER MY WIFE OR MYSELF. THERE IS A MASTER LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON THAT WILL UNLOCK THE DOORS. NEVER THE LESS, THIS DEFECT COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #11174388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Round Hill, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS ARE KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE IN THAT IF ONE PULLS ON THE HANDLE, THE DOOR WILL NOT MECHANICALLY UNLOCK BY DOUBLE-PULLING THE HANDLE, MEANING THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR IS BY USING ELECTRONIC UNLOCK BUTTON. IF THE CAR IS IN A WATER ACCIDENT, FIRE, OR ANY OTHER SITUATION WHERE THE BATTERY IS NO LONGER OPERABLE, THE OCCUPANTS WILL BE TRAPPED INSIDE, UNABLE TO ESCAPE AS THE DOORS WILL NOT MECHANICALLY UNLOCK BY DOUBLE-PULLING THE HANDLE. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS A REPLACEMENT PART, HOWEVER IF THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY WILL NOT FIX IT VOLUNTARILY.
NHTSA complaint #11160929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesAsheville, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY
DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK MANUALLY FROM TIME TO TIME. THE ONLY WAY TO UNLOCK IS TO USE THE CENTRAL UNLOCKING FEATURE. COULD BE DEADLY IN A CRASH! BMW WILL NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR UNLESS I PAY THEM A $150 DIAGNOSTIC FEE! CAR IS STOPPED, ENGINE OFF, AND THE FRONT DOORS (BOTH) WILL NOT MANUALLY UNLOCK FROM TIME TO TIME. ONLY WAY TO GET OUT IS TO USE CENTRAL UNLOCKING BUTTON, WHICH REQUIRES POWER.
NHTSA complaint #11113288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,950 milesNEW York, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
STRANGE ?MAKE YOU FEEL SICK? FUMES CONSTANTLY ENTERING MY CAR CABIN. I USED AN AIR QUALITY TEST DEVICE TO READ THE AIR. ITS BAD. MANUFACTURER DENIES EVERYTHING. WANTS ME TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD TO MAKE IT GO AWAY. BUT ONLY IF HE DOES IT. 3RD PARTY NOT ALLOWED. I HAD WINDSHIELD CHECKED BY 3RD PARTY. NO AIR LEAKS. MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO DO THE SAME TEST. FUMES IN CAR GET SO BAD THAT I CONSTANTLY HAVE THE FEELING I AM BEING CHOCKED WHILE DRIVING, RED EYES, WEIRD STOMACH AND HEART BEAT FEELING, PAIN IN ARM AND FINGER, FUNNY SENSATION ON MY TONGUE. MANUFACTURER WON?T INSPECTOR THE CAR FURTHER. NO INTEREST IN RESEARCHING PARTICULARLY PARTS, OR ANY FOR THAT MATTER, IN DETAIL. PLEASE ADVISE. IS THERE A LIST AND OR CHART THAT LISTS HOW MUCH LIKE OF FORMALDEHYDE, VOCS, CO, NO2, TVOC ARE ALLOWED/ ARE OK IN A VEHICLE CABIN WITH ALL WINDOWS CLOSED WHILE VENTILATION IS RUNNING? IAM HAVING ALL THESE ISSUES WHILE DRIVING, ANY ROAD, WITH 30MIN FROM FIRST TURNING CAR ON, THEN WITH 30 MPH AND UP, VENTILATION SYSTEM ON, NO MATTER WHAT SETTING OF IT ON OR OFF WITH PRE SELECTING +70 DEGREES. PLEASE ADVISE. THX. KIND REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11055813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gloucester Township, NJ
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
VISIBILITY IS POOR WITH THE HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS. VERY FREQUENTLY I DO NOT SEE PEOPLE OR ANIMALS IN THE ROAD UNTIL I AM VERY CLOSE TO THEM. THIS CAUSES EITHER A HARD STOP OR SWERVING TO AVOID A COLLISION. WE HAVE ANOTHER BMW WITH THE XEON HEADLIGHTS AND THE VISIBILITY IS EXCELLENT. THESE HALOGEN LIGHTS ARE DANGEROUS. THE LINK BELOW IS FROM THE IIHS IN 2016. RATES THE HALOGEN LIGHTS AS THE WORST IN ITS CLASS. HTTP://WWW.IIHS.ORG/IIHS/RATINGS/VEHICLE/V/BMW/3-SERIES-4-DOOR-SEDAN/2016
NHTSA complaint #10982953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 48,000 milesAffton, MO
ENGINE
ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS CAR GETS IRREGULAR IDLE AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE ENGINE TURNS OFF. NORMALLY HAPPENS WHILE STOPPED, BUT ONCE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS PERFORMING A SHARP AND SLOW U-TURN. NOT SAFE. ON ONLINE FORUMS, I SEE THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10936832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesSyosset, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SATURDAY FEB. 06, 2016 APPROX. 7/8 PM AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT WE EXPERIENCED A FEELING OF THE CAR NOT WANTING TO GO. AFTER PASSING THE LIGHT THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN THEN STOP. WE TRIED STARTING BUT IT WOULDN'T. I CALLED BMW ASSIST BY PRESSING THE OVERHEAD BUTTON. THEY CALLED A TOW TRUCK. WE WERE PICKED UP BY FAMILY IN AN AREA SURROUNDED BY SNOW AND NO HOUSES IN SIGHT. I LEFT EVERYTHING IN THE CAR EXPECTING TO GET IT BACK WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS. TODAY IS FEB. 29. THEY CHANGED SEVERAL PARTS AND STILL CAN'T GET THE CAR TO RUN.
NHTSA complaint #10838974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,842 milesPutnam Valley, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V189000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,842.
NHTSA complaint #10789167 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesWest Chester, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 13,000 MILES. CAR STOPPED RUNNING ON A SUBURBAN ROAD AT NIGHT REQUIRING TOWING TO A BMW DEALER. THERE IS A RECALL FOR BMW FUEL PUMPS BUT MY CAR WASN'T LISTED UNDER THE RECALL. BMW DID REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10778926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,000 milesEmmett, ID1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH WHEN SUN ROOF GLASS BROKE WITH OUT ANY THING HITTING IT GLASS CUT ME ON MY RIGHT HAND ARM GLASS WENT EVERY PLACE IN MY FACE
NHTSA complaint #10748886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesFlushing, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328XI. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 15- 25 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE TEETH, LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE, AND THE JAW THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT DENTAL AND PLASTIC SURGERY WERE REQUIRED FOR THE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE SPECIFICS OF THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE WERE UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA complaint #10671488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,000 milesFlushing, NYCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
BMW 328XI WAS T-BONED BY TOYOTA HIGHLANDER ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF BMW. HIGH IMPACT WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND BODILY INJURY. BMW AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #10660304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesScotch Plains, NJ
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE PROPERLY IN HER SIDE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
NHTSA complaint #10616826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.