2014 BMW 228i Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
43/100
#5 most-complained of 8 228i years
The 2014 BMW 228i has 7 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 43, ranking it 5th worst of 8 model years with a "Good" verdict relative to other 228i years.
- Complaints
- 7
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 26.5
- 22.5 city / 34 hwy
Top 2014 BMW 228i problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System2 (29%)
- Engine2 (29%)
- Fuel System2 (29%)
- Airbags1 (14%)
- Brakes1 (14%)
- Steering1 (14%)
What owners report
- Fuel pump can fail at highway speed, triggering a warning message and requiring the vehicle to be towed to a dealer for replacement.
- Power steering bolts securing the steering motor to the rack have snapped, causing sudden loss of power steering assist.
- Owners report the engine coolant pump recall repair was delayed, with parts unavailable when they sought the fix.
- The horn can fail due to a blown fuse, affecting both high and low pitch tones.
- One driver reported braking hard to avoid a chain-reaction collision caused by vehicles ahead stopping suddenly.
2014 BMW 228i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V871000Dec 17, 2025Airbags851 vehicles
Air bags:side/window:head
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive), and 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i, M235i xDrive) vehicles. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 12, 2026. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 24V608000Aug 13, 2024Electrical System720,796 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:connectors/plugs/receptacles
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 24V288000Apr 24, 2024Airbags5,761 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive, M4), and 2015 4 Series Gran Coupe (428i, 428i xDrive, 435i, 435i xDrive) vehicles. 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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
2014 BMW 228i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22.5 MPG
- Highway
- 34 MPG
- Combined
- 26.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other 228i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 BMW 228i reliable?
- NHTSA lists 7 complaints and a complaint index of 43 for the 2014 228i, which ranks 5th worst out of 8 model years with data, giving it a "Good" verdict compared to other 228i years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW 228i?
- Owners most often reported issues in the Electrical System, Engine, and Fuel System, each accounting for 29% of complaints, followed by Airbags, Brakes, and Steering at 14% each.
- Does the 2014 BMW 228i have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 228i covering airbags (two separate campaigns), the electrical system/water pump, and the fuel system/fuel pump.
- How does the 2014 228i compare to other years?
- The 2014 228i's complaint index of 43 is lower than the 2015 model (86, verdict Avoid) and the 2016 model (71, verdict Caution), but higher than the 2020 (14) and 2023 (29) models.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 BMW 228i?
- The EPA rates the 2014 228i at 26.5 mpg combined (22.5 city/34 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,000.