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2014 Bmw 328i Xdrive Electrical Problems

20 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

20
Complaints
3
Crashes
Jan 2024Dec 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (20)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2025

Your left rear brake and turn signal lights failed completely after months of intermittent warnings. Upon inspection, the ground pin in the tail light connector wiring harness had melted and fused into the harness itself, creating an electrical fault. This is a serious safety issue because other drivers won't see your brake lights or turn signals, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision. The repair will likely require replacing the tail light wiring harness and connector assembly.

NHTSA #: 11684163
criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2025

Your car is subject to a public recall for an electrical system issue that's been unresolved for 10 months, with no fix currently available. You've noticed white smoke or steam coming from under the hood since learning about the recall, which concerns you given the potential fire hazard. BMW dealerships won't service the car without an available remedy, leaving you responsible for any out-of-pocket repairs. The fix will require waiting for BMW to develop and release an official recall service procedure.

NHTSA #: 11665007
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

You brought your car in for a recall at a BMW dealership, but instead of replacing the water pump as part of the recall service, they only installed a shield. Your water pump has been causing your battery to drain, and now the dealership is charging you for a new water pump installation even though you believe the replacement should have been covered under the recall. The fix will involve replacing the faulty water pump and verifying the battery drain is resolved.

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NHTSA #: 11698897
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2025

Your car's water pump is draining the battery faster than normal. Even though the dealership said they completed a recall fix for this issue, the problem has returned. You've already replaced the battery once, but it's dead again, suggesting the underlying water pump issue wasn't actually resolved. The dealership will need to diagnose why the water pump is still causing excessive battery drain and properly repair or replace the faulty water pump.

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NHTSA #: 11698015
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2025

The engine coolant pump is affected in my vehicle. There is a current recall issued on my vehicle with no available remedy. The recall was issued back in August, which means it has been 6 months. This is my form of transportation to work and also to school. I have contacted my local dealership and they are not sure when they will get the part in. They want me to pay $195 per hour for a diagnostic first to see if they can expedite the part needed. With this being said they will not offer me a loaner vehicle and says I am responsible for my own form a transportation. I was driving my vehicle on February 11th around 5:45PM when my vehicle suddenly stopped in the middle of a roundabout. I yielded oncoming traffic, thankfully I was able to shift over into the grass in time before anyone else entered the roundabout. My check engine light came on and it started to overheat, which I have never had that issue since the recall was issued. It started smoking from under my hood so I let it cool before I attempted to drive it again to return home. The following day I was able to start my vehicle up and I took it to Take 5 to get an oil change and a coolant flush thinking that may be the issue. The mechanic advised me since the coolant they use is standard coolant and I need premium he would not perform it. He ran my codes and the issue that popped up was the current recall on my vehicle. This is the first time I have experienced any issues since the recall has been issued. I am now left with a vehicle that is not able to be driven.

NHTSA #: 11642969
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2025

ENGINE COOLANT PUMP: The electrical connector of the engine coolant pump could become damaged. Small drops of liquid from the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system could drip down onto the electrical connector of the pump. Safety Risk Over time, this could lead to a short circuit and, in rare cases, a thermal event or a fire. We took it to a car shop and they charged us over $800 fixing something else that was not the issue. We haven’t been able to drive this car for months and it has caused tremendous inconveniences.

NHTSA #: 11635825
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2024

Starting Dec 1st, the check engine light displayed on my dash and the electrical system has malfunctioned for many features of my vehicle. I am unable to switch to Sport & Eco Mode. The car also takes multiple tries to start the engine. It has been almost 4 months since the recall announcement and remediations are still not available. the engine coolant pump is a direct cause of short circuits and engine problems

NHTSA #: 11628738
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Dec 2024

My car engine starts to smoke and enters through the vents making it difficult to breathe and forces me to lower my windows. The engine smells burnt after driving.

NHTSA #: 11628186
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Sep 2024

UNKNOWN: Vehicle collided with another vehicle on highway and control system and functions stopped. Airbag on Driver’s Side malfunctioned burning driver with liquid and metal.

NHTSA #: 11612197
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
CrashFiled: Jan 2024

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? + AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN HEAD-ON COLLISION How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? + DUE TO FAILURE, DRIVER SUSTAINED MILD CONCUSSION WHEN HEAD HIT STEERING WHEEL AND PUT AT RISK OF LIFE THREATENING INJURY AND IMPAIRMENT Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? + UNKNOWN; HOWEVER, NO RECALL OR WARNINGS HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? + UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? + NO, NONE, NEVER

NHTSA #: 11563737
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Aug 2022

Left rear brake and turn lights malfunctioning -issue not fixed after changing light bulbs. Noticed that metal pins in the connector was melted and stuck into the wiring harness. Problem affects brake light and turn signal. Melting of the the metal pin in the connector housing clearly is not a wear and tear situation but a defect in manufacturing that needs to be repaired and corrected by BMW.

NHTSA #: 11477527
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2022

the left brake lamp continues to come on after changing the brake lamp and checking sensor - I dont know if the light is out or its another issue the brake lamp has been working fine , the warning is incorrect Also , the added safety features installed in the car and paid 1000's extra for no longer work due 3g phase out , Bmw claimed drivers can use their phones but they will not retro fit the cars to get safety features back , they chose specific vins of this model to re-enable but not all??? The car has no space within drivers sight to mount phones for directions/navigation and any voice activation /handfree usage iis disabled along with crash notificatiions/stolen vehicle recovery . BMW made crashes far more likely in the vehicle and far more vulnerable to be stolen! BMW service dept advised to use a cell phone to get some of the lost services back which is illegal and very dangerous to do so.

NHTSA #: 11459975
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Nov 2020

ON FEB 20, 2020, I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW DEALERSHIP BECAUSE I HAD A LEFT REAR SIGNAL AND BRAKE MALFUNCTION. I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF APPROXIMATELY 600.00. BASED UPON MY UNDERSTANDING OF THIS ISSUE, THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE. THE CIRCUIT BOARD, CONNECTOR, AND WIRING MUST BE REPLACED. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECALLS FOR THIS VERY SAME ISSUE, BUT FOR OLDER MODEL BMW'S. PLEASE REFERENCE 13V407000 AND 17V6766000. BMW ALSO ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN TO FIX THIS ISSUE. PLEASE REFERENCE SIB63-0611. ALSO REFERENCE 11V-438 CAMPAIGN. IT IS APPARENT THAT BMW'S ARE STILL BEING PRODUCED WITH THE GROUND WIRING ISSUE. IF YOU VISIT BIMMERFEST, YOU WILL SEE HOW MANY BMW'S FROM 2010- 2014 ARE STILL BEING EFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. IF OLDER MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS ISSUE, NEWER ONES WITH THE SAME ISSUE SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED, AND FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT, AND LEFT REAR SIGNAL LIGHT WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM REQUESTING THAT BMW PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM, NOT OPERATOR ERROR OR WEAR AND TEAR. PLEASE REFERENCE THE COMPLAINT FILED ON 3.3.20 11315965.

NHTSA #: 11376904
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Aug 2020

PASSENGER FRONT SEAT FASTEN SEATBELT SIGNALS WHEN I'M DRIVING AND NO-ONE IS IN THE FRONT SEAT, I HAVE TO LOCK SEATBELT TO TURN IT OFF. IT HASN'T SIGNAL LATELY. DRIVER'S DOOR LOCKS AND WON'T UNLOCK WHEN I'M PARKED UNLESS I USE THE REMOTE BUT, NOT ALL OF THE TIME. BREAKS SQUEAKS ONLY WHEN I FIRST EXIT THE GARAGE AT HOME.

NHTSA #: 11343436
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: May 2020

FRONT ELECTRONIC MODULE KEEPS GETTING WET AND FAILING ON THESE CARS. (FEM) *TR

NHTSA #: 11324114
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2020

WHILE DRIVING, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE THAT MAY LEFT REAR LIGHT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. A FEW DAYS LATER, I TOOK IT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP FOR BULB REPLACEMENT AND MY YEARLY OIL CHANGE. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT IT WASN'T JUST THE LIGHT BULB THAT NEEDED REPLACING THE ENTIRE REAR LIGHT SYSTEM HAD MELTED. THE SOCKET, CONNECTOR, CONTACT POINTS ALL BURNT. THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. BMW RECALLED EARLIER YEAR VEHICLES FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD BE FIXED AT BMW'S EXPENSE. SINCE I CAN NOT AFFORD THE $600.00 BILL, I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A LEFT REAR SIGNAL WHICH IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF PARTS.

NHTSA #: 11315965
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2020

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AS USUAL, MADE A LEFT HAND TURN, AND A NOTICE CAME ON THE DASHBOARD ALERTING ME THAT THE LEFT REAR TURN SIGNAL AND LEFT REAR BRAKE LIGHT WERE NOT FUNCTIONING. AS THIS IS VERY CONCERNING, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST BMW DEALERSHIP FOR ANALYSIS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE AND THAT THE ENTIRE WIRING HARNESS IN THE LEFT REAR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $905. IT WAS AT THIS POINT THAT I WANTED TO GET A SECOND OPINION, SO I HAD MY LOCAL MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE SCORCH MARKS WHERE THE GROUND WIRE CONNECTED INTO THE WIRING HARNESS, AND THAT THE GROUND PIN THAT IT CONNECTED TO ON THE OTHER SIDE WAS ENTIRELY ERODED. HE SUGGESTED THE REASON BEHIND THIS WAS THAT BMW USED AN INAPPROPRIATE GAUGE CONNECTOR FOR THE CURRENT THAT WAS BEING TRANSMITTED, CAUSING EROSION OVER TIME. HE WAS ABLE TO ORDER GENUINE BMW REPLACEMENT PARTS AND INSTALLED THEM FOR A FRACTION OF THE PRICE QUOTED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF A POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL FIRE.

NHTSA #: 11311929
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Jan 2018

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT OF PASSENGER SIDE LED TURNED ON. PARKING LIGHT TURNS ON AND DRIVER SEAT ALIGNMENT ON WITHOUT REASON.

NHTSA #: 11066099
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jun 2017

I HAVE RECENTLY STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN. THE DOORS WILL NOT ALWAYS OPEN WITH THE DOUBLE HANDLE PULL AND WILL REQUIRE THAT I HIT THE POWER UNLOCK BUTTON. I'VE FOUND SEVERAL SITES AND BLOGS DISCUSSING THIS KNOWN ISSUE. I WOULD HOPE THAT BMW ADDRESSES THIS AS IT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT I'M IN A CRASH WITH LOST POWER.

NHTSA #: 10993063
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS
CrashFiled: Nov 2015

MY 2014 BMW 328I WAS REAR-ENDED ON A FREEWAY RAMP DURING RUSH HOUR (AROUND 5PM OCT. 30, 2015). THE TRAFFIC WAS STOP AND GO. MY CAR WAS STILL WHEN THE CAR BEHIND HIT. THE IMPACT TO MY REAR BUMPER CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK DOWN. THE SEAT BELT HELD ME VERY TIGHT (ALMOST STRANGLED) ME AND WOULD NOT EJECT NOR RELEASE. AFTER MORE THAN 5 MINS, I WAS ABLE TO PULLED IT OUT WHILE HOLDING THE EJECT BUTTON. ON TOP OF THE SEAT BELT LOCK-DOWN, MY CAR WOULD NOT RE-START. THE SYSTEM GAVE A "CHASSIS STABILITY" WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESPOND TO SHIFTING GEAR OR ANY OPERATIONS. I COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR OUT OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR EVENTUALLY WAS TOWED OFF THE FREEWAY RAMP. FORTUNATELY, ALL VEHICLES WERE MOVING SLOW DUE TO THE RUSH HOUR. OTHERWISE, EITHER OF THE SITUATION (LOCKED DOWN SEAT BELT OR THE STALLED VEHICLE WITH A BUMPER IMPACT) WOULD HAVE KILLED ME ON THE FREE WAY.

NHTSA #: 10788147

Other 2014 Bmw 328i Xdrive Issues