Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 BMW 320I Xdrive problems
Owners filed 53 complaints about the 2014 BMW 320I Xdrive with NHTSA between Mar 2014 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is engine (12).
Complaints
53
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine12
- Power train9
- Electrical system9
- Fuel/propulsion system9
- Exterior lighting7
- Air bags5
- Steering4
- Structure3
- Seat belts2
- Service brakes2
- Seats2
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
6
1
1
3
8
8
13
3
2
2
3
0
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
12 reports1 crash1 fire
“The engine drivetrain malfunctioned and there is a message. My safety and safety of others was put at risk when I was driving the car it was shaking kicking moving on its own not braking I couldn’t control the car. I felt as if the car was about to hit someone on the road and the engine was going to blow up or transmission. I was afraid it was very scary! There is an engine misfire No When I bought it, it was a tire sign and shaking but the salesman said it was just the tires after two weeks the engine sign was on and a drivetrain malfunction message came up and the car was shaking kicking moving on its own about to hit some people on the road and I couldn’t control it and the engine or transmission was about to blow up it was making loud noises!”
Power train
9 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2014 BMW 320I. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating with the check engine warning light illuminated, with the message "Drive Train Malfunction" displayed. The contact stated that later while attempting to drive there was a loud sound coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was parked due to the fear of a crash. The failure mileage was 77,000.”
Electrical system
9 reports1 fire
“The electrical water pump that was just recalled on over 720,000 bmws is the same water pump on the 320is. My vehicle as of now has had issues with the pump completely going out causing high temperature issues with the motor while driving.”
Fuel/propulsion system
9 reports1 crash1 fire
“Timing chain issue that is common with the BMW n20 engines. The chain is starting to loosen and have some slack. Afraid it could brake and jump teeth as it does it so many online horror stories wrecking the car's engine after it breaks and gets sucked into it. I believe a recall should hopefully happen. A sorts of class action lawsuits and settlements but no recall yet.”
Exterior lighting
7 reports1 crash
“PARKING LIGHTS AND HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTION THEN TURN BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS DURING THE DAY AND DURING THE NIGHT. I HAVE CHANGED THE LIGHT BULBS 3 TIMES AND STILL THE PROBLEM PERSIST. THE PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND SEEMS TO BE A MALFUNCTION WITH THE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED BY BMW. VEHICLE DOES THIS WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT DOES TURN OFF DURING THE NIGHT WHILE DRIVING AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR”
Air bags
5 reports1 crash
“VEHICLE DISPLAYS WARNING FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG RESTRAINT WHEN STARTED AND WHILE DRIVING. DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSIS AND SAID IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.