2014 BMW 3 Series

Showing the 2014 3 Series GT. NHTSA's VIN data shows it with a 2.0 L or 3.0 L engine, but that may not be every version of it, so the numbers below cover every version of this model year. Every version

Owner complaints, recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings from public NHTSA and EPA data, updated Oct 17, 2026.

About every 2014 3 Series

The 2014 BMW 3 Series has 403 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most for the engine at 109. Its combined mpg ranges from 23 to 36 mpg, with a 5-year fuel cost of $12,870 to $17,500 at U.S. average prices. NHTSA gives it 5 overall stars. It has 12 recall campaigns, which may apply to this car and cover air bags, electrical system, engine cooling, and others.

Written by AI from public EPA and NHTSA data. Not a review.

Fuel economy
23–36 mpgcombined; city 20–31, highway 28–43; every version of this model year
Five years of fuel
$12,870–$17,500U.S. average; Ohio $13,040–$16,490 at local prices; every version of this model year; fuel only, not other costs of owning it; 15,000 miles a year, at EIA fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026
NHTSA overall safety rating
5 starslowest across the versions NHTSA tested
Recall campaigns
12over its history; check a VIN for open ones
Owner complaints
403filed with NHTSA; not adjusted for sales

Trims

NHTSA's VIN data lists these trims for the 2014 3 Series. A trim's engine and numbers are shown as its own only where EPA names versions after the trim and no other version could be it; "seen with" means a source shows that engine on the trim, not that it was the only one. Recalls and complaints cover the whole model year: whether a recall applies to a car depends on its VIN, on NHTSA's recall lookup.

Problems owners report

Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 3 Series. These are unverified owner reports, counted by the part of the car they name; one complaint can name several parts. Counts aren't adjusted for how many were sold, so they don't show how reliable a car is.

Complaints by part of the car
PartComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine1092100
Electrical system77485
Fuel/propulsion system76324
Unknown or other51353
Engine and engine cooling38020
Power train37312
Service brakes281207
Air bags2613015
Fuel system, diesel24020
Exterior lighting20100
Structure20603
Vehicle speed control15403
18 more parts
Steering14101
Fuel system, gasoline9000
Seat belts9301
Electronic stability control (ESC)6101
Tires4000
Visibility/wiper4000
Wheels4000
Latches/locks/linkages3000
Seats3000
Service brakes, hydraulic2100
Suspension2000
Visibility2000
Back over prevention1000
Equipment1000
Equipment adaptive/mobility1000
Forward collision avoidance1000
Fuel system, other1000
Lane departure1100

Complaints by model year

Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts aren't adjusted for sales, so a shorter bar doesn't mean a more reliable year.

  1. 20061,238
  2. 20071,038
  3. 2008686
  4. 2009387
  5. 2010273
  6. 2011892
  7. 2012174
  8. 2013388
  9. 2014403
  10. 2015212
  11. 2016105
  12. 201778
  13. 201873
  14. 201941
  15. 202053
  16. 202133
  17. 202215
  18. 202312
  19. 20249
  20. 20255
  21. 20261

Every 3 Series year side by side

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2014 3 Series over its history. Campaigns are matched by model and year, so each one may apply to a given car, and its repair may already be done: check a VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for the open recalls on that exact car.

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 25V871000 · reported Dec 17, 2025 · 851 vehicles potentially affected

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.

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.

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Electrical system: wiring; Engine and engine cooling: cooling system

NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · reported Aug 13, 2024 · 720,796 vehicles potentially affected

BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i, 2015-2016 428xi vehicles. An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.

Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 28, 2025. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 24V527000 · reported Jul 11, 2024 · 1,145 vehicles potentially affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2015 6 Series Gran Coupe, 2014 5 Series Gran Turismo, 2014 5 Series Sedan, 2015 6 Series Convertible, 2015 6 Series Coupe, 2014 X5, 2013-2014 X3, 2014-2015 3 Series Sedan, 2014 4 Series Coupe, 2014 4 Series Convertible, 2014 3 Series Gran Turismo, and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe vehicles. Please see the recall report for the complete list of models. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.

Remedy: The driver's front air bag will be replaced, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA's record and documents

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 24V288000 · reported Apr 24, 2024 · 5,761 vehicles potentially affected

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.

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.

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Fuel system, diesel

NHTSA campaign 21V907000 · reported Nov 19, 2021 · 50,404 vehicles potentially affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon, 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV, and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV diesel vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. The EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold.

Risk: A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR cooler and inspect the intake manifold, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. This recall includes all vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755. Vehicles previously recalled under 18V-755 will need to have the new remedy performed for this recall. An interim owner notification letter was mailed on January 18, 2022. The remedy is expected to be available in June 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 6, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA's record and documents

Fuel system, diesel: delivery

NHTSA campaign 21V586000 · reported Jul 29, 2021 · 11,216 vehicles potentially affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2018 328d, 328d xDrive, X5 xDrive35d, 2014-2016 535d, 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, and 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.

Risk: Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 14, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA's record and documents

Power train: driveline

NHTSA campaign 20V185000 · reported Mar 26, 2020 · 8,536 vehicles potentially affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2016 328d xDrive sedans and 2013-2015 328d xDrive station wagon vehicles. The constant-velocity joint which transfers power between the transfer case and the rear drive shaft, may become damaged, possibly resulting in loss of power to the rear wheels.

Risk: A loss of power to the rear wheels can affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the vehicle is parked after a loss of power to the rear wheels and the parking brake is not engaged, unintended rollaway can occur, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the constant-velocity joint and inspect the transfer case, replacing it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 22, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA's record and documents

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

NHTSA campaign 18V755000 · reported Oct 25, 2018 · 44,368 vehicles potentially affected

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2013-2018 BMW 328d and 328d xDrive, 2014-2018 328d Sports Wagon and 328d xDrive Sports Wagon, 2014-2016 535d and 535d xDrive, 2015 740Ld xDrive, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d SAV and 2014-2017 X5 xDrive35d SAV vehicles equipped with an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) module with an integrated cooler. If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot. The high EGR temperatures may result in these particles possibly smoldering and melting the intake manifold.

Risk: The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the EGR cooler as necessary. If a leak has already occurred, the engine intake manifold will also be replaced. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA's record and documents

Exterior lighting

NHTSA campaign 15V520000 · reported Aug 17, 2015 · 7,727 vehicles potentially affected

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 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parking lights or the headlights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 or by email at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA's record and documents

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

NHTSA campaign 15V189000 · reported Mar 31, 2015 · 18,054 vehicles potentially affected

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.

Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist; Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

NHTSA campaign 14V627000 · reported Oct 7, 2014 · 8,988 vehicles potentially affected

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 X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.

Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist; Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist

NHTSA campaign 13V454000 · reported Sep 26, 2013 · 76,191 vehicles potentially affected

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 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.

Risk: A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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 customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.

NHTSA's record and documents

Service bulletins and investigations

Carmakers sent NHTSA 593 service bulletins and notices that cover the 2014 3 Series, the latest on Aug 15, 2025. They tell dealers how to fix known issues.

The parts they mention most: electrical system (186), equipment (179), engine and engine cooling (97), engine (64), equipment adaptive/mobility (43).

NHTSA defect investigations

Opening an investigation isn't a finding of a defect. Outcomes are as NHTSA's summary states them. A recall is shown as an investigation's outcome only where NHTSA's summary names it; other recalls NHTSA's file lists with it are marked as listed, not caused.

InvestigationPartOpenedStatus
Engineering analysis EA23001
High pressure fuel pump failure · covers 4 makes
Fuel system, dieselMar 17, 2023Open
NHTSA's summary names recall 22V406000, 22E048000, 22V767000, 22E087000, 21V586000, 21V880000, 21E094000
NHTSA's record and documents
Defect petition DP22005
Pedestrian alert sounds · covers 43 makes
Electrical systemJan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
Petition withdrawn
NHTSA's record and documents
Engineering analysis EA21002
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · covers 37 makes
Air bagsSep 17, 2021Open
NHTSA's record and documents
Preliminary evaluation PE13030
Loss of power assist braking
Service brakes, hydraulicSep 6, 2013Closed Oct 25, 2013
NHTSA's summary names recall 13V454000
NHTSA's record and documents

Maintenance

Oil

The owner's manual gives the oil and how often to change it. We show oil facts only once we've checked them against the manual, and we haven't yet for the 2014 3 Series.

Oil change near you: Jiffy Lube · Take 5

Used ones for sale

See used 2014 BMW 3 Seriess for sale on: Autotrader · CarMax

These are searches on those sites; we don't copy or check their listings. Your ZIP is used for these links and never kept.

Specs

EPA class: compact cars. EPA greenhouse gas score: 6–8 out of 10. Each version EPA tested:

VersionEngineTransmissionFuelCity / hwy / comb
320i
Rear-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline23 / 35 / 28
320i
Rear-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboManual 6-spdPremium Gasoline23 / 35 / 27
320i xDrive
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline23 / 34 / 27
328d
Rear-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Diesel31 / 43 / 36
328d xDrive
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Diesel31 / 41 / 34
328d xDrive Sports
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Diesel31 / 41 / 34
328i
Rear-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline23 / 34 / 27
328i
Rear-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboManual 6-spdPremium Gasoline22 / 33 / 26
328i xDrive
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline22 / 32 / 26
328i xDrive Gran Turismo
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline22 / 32 / 26
328i xDrive Sports
All-Wheel Drive
2.0 L, 4 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline22 / 32 / 26
335i
Rear-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline22 / 32 / 25
335i
Rear-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboManual 6-spdPremium Gasoline20 / 29 / 23
335i xDrive
All-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline20 / 30 / 24
335i xDrive
All-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboManual 6-spdPremium Gasoline20 / 28 / 23
335i xDrive Gran Turismo
All-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline20 / 30 / 24
ActiveHybrid 3
Rear-Wheel Drive
3.0 L, 6 cyl, turboAutomatic (S8)Premium Gasoline25 / 32 / 28

Sources and dates

Fuel cost: EPA mpg with fuel prices for the week of Oct 12, 2026 and electricity prices for Jul 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (Oct 2026). Complaints are unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA. About the data