Is the 2014 BMW 328d a bad year?
153 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 328d years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2014 BMW 328d are in line with other 328d years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 328d owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 86,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 73 (48%) | 55k–115k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Engine | 60 (39%) | 51k–88k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 14 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 86,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 153 complaints: 5 mention a crash · 11 mention a fire · 1 reports an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
9 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Sep 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
DEF tanks froze in cold weather causing multiple parts to fail in the engine. DEF system I believe is now compromised as a result of poor engineering for the overall system.
EGR valve on 2014 328D BMW : engine light has gone on repeatedly after each engine repair. Reported engine coolant had to be refilled before first repair.
While driving, message displayed "Drivetrain malfunction, drive cautiously" Car lost power, but I made it to shoulder.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 86,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 BMW 328d: 7
The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to a manufacturing defect. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury or death.
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. 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 EGR cooler may leak internally, causing coolant to mix with diesel engine soot, which could result in smoldering particles and a melting intake manifold. A melting intake manifold increases the risk of a fire.
The high-pressure fuel pump may fail. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A loss of power to the rear wheels can affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. The melting intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.
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. If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from BMW: 339
Repair instructions BMW sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 BMW 328d. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
The vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)…
After an automatic engine start (MSA start), the transmission intermittently goes into the Park "P" or Neutral "N" position without any customer influence
The quick disconnect coupling on the cylinder head coolant vent line could break at the cylinder head
Combustion control valve lift at idle
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
High pressure fuel pump failure
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2015 328d: 27 complaints, keep it.
Every BMW 328d year
2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · All 328d years side by side
Other BMW models: BMW 128i · BMW 135i · BMW 3 Series · BMW 320i · BMW 323i · BMW 325ci · BMW 325i · BMW 325xi · BMW 328i · BMW 328xi · BMW 330ci · BMW 330i · BMW 330xi · BMW 335i · BMW 335xi · BMW 428i · BMW 5 Series · BMW 525i · BMW 528i · BMW 528xi · BMW 530i · BMW 530xi · BMW 535i · BMW 540i · BMW 550i · BMW 750Li · BMW 750i · BMW K1200LT · BMW M3 · BMW R1200 GS · BMW R1200 RT · BMW X1 · BMW X3 · BMW X5 · BMW X6 · BMW X7 · BMW Z4 · BMW i3. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2014 BMW 328d a bad year?
153 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other 328d years. At 86,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW 328d?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (73), engine (60), transmission and drivetrain (14), electrical system (8), brakes (5).
How many recalls does the 2014 BMW 328d have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 24V-527), Air bags (NHTSA 24V-288), Fuel system (NHTSA 21V-907), Fuel system (NHTSA 21V-586) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.