The Lemon Index2014 BMW 3 Series.
The 2014 BMW 3 Series is better than average by owner complaints: 82 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 53, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 25 to 36 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 87 YouTube videos about the 2012–2018 BMW 3 Series (F30), 33.5M views. The 2014 is the same car.
What owners say it costs
- Other repairs (parts or shop quote)$23110 videos · most $160–$800Hear it ▶
- Lift / wheels / mods$6006 videos · most $260–$1,000Hear it ▶
- Tires$1,2504 videos · most $500–$2,000Hear it ▶
- Oil leak repair$503 videos · most $30–$600Hear it ▶
- Steering & suspension$7003 videos · most $90–$5,000Hear it ▶
Dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos (median, so one wild number can't swing it). Not verified sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Most-watched topics
- Timing chain & engine2.3M views
BMW N20/N26 Timing Chain Replacement DIY Part 1 - Removal & Disassembly (328i, 320i, 228i, 428i, X1)FCP Euro · 765K views · 6 videos - Brakes & ABS1.6M views
How to Reset Maintenance/Service Light on BMW F30/F32 (Oil, Maintenance, Brakes)Boosty · 257K views · 8 videos - Oil changes & service1.4M views
oil service reset *HOW TO* 2014-2018 BMW(F30) 320i / 3 SeriesThe Driver Mod · 550K views · 4 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition1.2M views
NO START NO CRANK FIX BMW 325i 328i 335i 316i 318i 320i 335d 320d 318d 325xi 328xiWorld Mechanics · 1.1M views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring819K views
How to Install BMW Headlights Upgrade | F30 Projector LED | 328iFritz Ramos · 279K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets608K views
BMW F30 Valve Cover Gasket Replacement DIY (BMW N20/N26 Engine)FCP Euro · 297K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter457K views
BMW F30 328i - 8HP Transmission Fluid Change - DIY(X1, X3, X4, X6, M235i, 320i XDrive, &More)FCP Euro · 457K views - Windows, doors & mirrors240K views
How to Replace STICKY Inner Door Pull Handles on your F30 BMW (BMW 320, 328, 330, 335 and 340)Kies Motorsports · 240K views
Before you buy, watch
5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying an "Unreliable" BMW 335i - You Need To Know This!Vehicle Virals · 560K views
BMW N55 Engine Diagnostics/Problems - Everything You Need To Know (X1, 135i, 335i, 435i, 535i)FCP Euro · 383K views
BMW 3 Series 2012-2018 (F30) used buyer's guide: specs, trims and common problemsAuto Express · 298K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 406 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2014 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 28K to 90K miles on the car (240 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 28K–83K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 44K–98K miles
- fuel or ev drive system complaints mostly came at 40K–96K miles
Recalls 12
- airbags 2025
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.
- engine 2024
An improperly sealed electrical connector on the water pump may be exposed to water and short circuit.
- airbags 2024
Please see the recall report for the complete list of models.
Show all 12 recalls
- airbags 2024
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.
- fuel system, diesel 2021
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.
- fuel system, diesel 2021
The high-pressure fuel pump may fail.
- transmission & drivetrain 2020
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.
- engine 2018
If the EGR cooler leaks internally, the coolant can mix with diesel engine soot.
- lights 2015
The affected vehicles may have been programmed with new software that inadvertently makes the front side marker lights inoperative in conjunction with the parkin.
- fuel system, gasoline 2015
Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
- brakes 2014
A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- brakes 2013
Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 561 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine Oil Quick Reference Chart and Drain Plug Torque: The current version of ISTA/D has an…
- BUZZING NOISE FROM VALVETRONIC MOTOR BEFORE OR AFTER ENGINE OPERATION: Buzzing noise may be heard
- ?Various Check Control Messages Caused by Shorted K- CAN This Service Information bulletin…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedLoss of power assist braking2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 328D 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| BMW 328D Xdrive 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2600–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 BMW 335i. The contact stated that the engine malfunctioned and the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 32,800.
2014 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10914255
More owner reports
11.3.17 car caught on fire while driving. Total loss. Car lost power. Message was displayed "drivetrain malfunction, drive cautiously" pulled to side of highway, car was engulphed in flames within 5 minutes.
NHTSA complaint 11046343
Slight knocking sound when car is idling. Car shakes, when it is at idle, during traffic, the complete car shakes, even the steering wheel shakes and vibrate!
NHTSA complaint 10584790
Quick answers
Is the 2014 BMW 3 Series reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 53; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2014 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (23%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and fuel or ev drive system (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 BMW 3 Series have?
12 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 BMW 3 Series get?
25 to 36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2014 BMW 3 Series safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2014 BMW 3 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 28,200 and 90,000 miles. The middle report was at 61,300 miles, from 240 complaints.
Does the 2014 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2014 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $2600 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2014 BMW 3 Series have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2014?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works