2014 BMW X3 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other X3 years
- About as many complaints as other years 12th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 86 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 BMW X3. That ranks 12th out of 23 X3 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (30 complaints, 35%), typically at around 81,500 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 86owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 6complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2014 BMW X3 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 30 | 35% | 81,500 | — | — |
| Engine | 19 | 22% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 19 | 22% | 97,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 9 | 10% | 42,482 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 9 | 10% | 33,659 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 9 | 10% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 | 8% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 6 | 7% | 46,105 | — | — |
| Steering | 4 | 5% | 37,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 3 | 3% | 62,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 3% | 67,475 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 3% | 54,963 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2% | 61,673 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 2% | 14,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | 22,769 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2014 BMW X3 recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles; engine and engine cooling:cooling system:pump
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags:frontal
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, and 2015 X4 xDrive35i vehicles. 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, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Child seat:latch strap
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
Risk: Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
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 may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
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 customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
- Loss of power assist braking (PE13030) — opened Sep 6, 2013, closed Oct 25, 2013, led to recall 13V454000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Had an oil change through BMW with their pre-packaged oil service. 6 days later my oil pump chain guard broke inside the engine and now they're telling me I need a new engine which cost $33,000. I believe the chain guard was either broken during the time of their possession or they could at least…
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The message âFuel Supply Malfunctionâ was displayed. Additionally, the contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V527000 (Air Bags) and stated that the passengerâs side air bag was not…
I am filing a safety complaint regarding a catastrophic timing chain failure on my 2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i equipped with the N20 engine. While driving, the timing chain and oil pump drive chain failed without warning. This is a well-documented defect on BMW N20/N26 engines that has been the subject…
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating and the check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving on a busy highway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The…
The contact owns a 2014 BMW X3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent…
Other BMW X3 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 X3 | 19 | 2 |
| 2025 X3 | 38 | 9 |
| 2024 X3 | 42 | 3 |
| 2023 X3 | 15 | 4 |
| 2022 X3 | 83 | 7 |
| 2021 X3 | 113 | 10 |
| 2020 X3 | 110 | 16 |
| 2019 X3 | 171 | 10 |
| 2018 X3 | 76 | 11 |
| 2017 X3 | 92 | 6 |
| 2016 X3 | 82 | 5 |
| 2015 X3 | 105 | 7 |
| 2014 | 86 | 6 |
| 2013 X3 | 226 | 7 |
| 2012 X3 | 42 | 2 |
| 2011 X3 | 113 | 4 |
| 2010 X3 | 32 | 4 |
| 2009 X3 | 19 | 3 |
| 2008 X3 | 66 | 3 |
| 2007 X3 | 98 | 3 |
| 2006 X3 | 143 | 2 |
| 2005 X3 | 103 | 1 |
| 2004 X3 | 138 | 1 |
See all BMW X3 problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW X3?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 30 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2014 BMW X3?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2014 BMW X3 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other X3 model years, the 2014 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.