Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 151 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 BMW 328i, and it carries 8 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 15% |
| Engine | 15 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 13 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 6% |
| Air bags | 7 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 3% |
| Power train | 4 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 wa
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
So, the N20 2.0L motors are known to have prematurely failing plastic chain guides and a weak hydraulic tensioner, leading to whine, rattles, and potential engine failure. BMW improved the issue in the 2015 or newer mode
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Vehicle is under Recall 24V-608 for a fire risk. The vehicle has suffered the exact failure described (Overheating, Limp Mode, and Smoke/Thermal Event). Dealership (BMW of Pleasant Grove Utah) is refusing to replace the
NHTSA complaint: Engine
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(Engi
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
Thermostat was a recall back then, brought it to the dealer they fixed it and now it has come back, i brought it to a mechanic to fix it, and it came back again one more time. thermostat is staying stuck open. safety rec
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I went to Lakeland bmw, for my recall, they only put a shield up for the recall instead of changing out my water pump which was draining my battery. Now they are trying to charge me for a whole water pump installation ev
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The water pump is draining my battery, the bmw dealership said they fixed the recall but it has not been fixed. They told me I needed a new battery which was replaced & now it’s back at the shop for a dead battery again.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2014 BMW 328i. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicl
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417
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 G
Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014
Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW cust
| Reliability raw | 64 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 66 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 46 | below average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 151 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 23 of them (15%). There are 8 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 64/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 66/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.