How common are electrical problems on the 2014 BMW 320i?

NHTSA has logged 15 Electrical System complaints for the 2014 320i, which is 29% of all 52 complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for electrical or lighting issues on the 2014 BMW 320i?

Yes. Recall campaign 15V520000, reported August 17, 2015, covers exterior lighting software on 2012-2015 320i and related models; BMW dealers upload revised software free of charge.

At what mileage do 2014 320i electrical failures usually happen?

The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on this model year is 52,000 miles.

Are the electrical issues dangerous?

NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2014 320i includes 1 crash, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the reported complaints.

Do other 320i model years have similar electrical complaint rates?

Electrical System complaints represent 29% of complaints for 2014, compared to 24% in 2015, 12% in 2016, and 33% in 2018, based on NHTSA data.

2014 BMW 320i Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 15 Electrical System complaints for the 2014 BMW 320i, 29% of its 52 total complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 52,000. A related recall (campaign 15V520000) covers exterior lighting software on this model year.

Electrical System complaints: 15; 29% of 52
Crashes reported: 1
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 52,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

Headlight, brake light, and tail light malfunction warnings appear on the dash, sometimes after a bulb replacement, with owners finding melted wiring harness pins at the bulb holder.
Multiple exterior lighting systems fail together, including headlamps, cruise control, rear view camera, and brake lights, with lights flickering or shutting off while driving.
The car's electrical system shuts off completely after the first push of the power button instead of staying on until the second push, leaving the vehicle unresponsive until it resets on its own.
The AC, heater, and defroster stop working and owners report toxic fumes entering the cabin, with dealers unable to duplicate the failure during diagnosis.
The head unit or CD player fails, with the screen freezing on the BMW logo and requiring replacement.
An owner reported an engine bay fire that spread to the fuel tank and pumps, destroying the vehicle.

When 2014 BMW 320i electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 12, 2014, latest Aug 20, 2024.

15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2014 to Aug 2024; peak Sep 2018 (2).

Electrical System recalls for the 2014 BMW 320i

NHTSA 15V520000Aug 17, 2015Electrical System7,727 vehicles
Exterior lighting
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured March 21, 2013, to March 17, 2015, 2014-2015 328d, 328xd vehicles manufactured June 28, 2013, to April 21, 2015, and 2014-2015 328xd Sports Wagon vehicles manufactured July 5, 2013, to April 21, 2015. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417 or by email at [email protected].

Electrical System complaints by 320i model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

20121 (33%)
20131 (11%)
201415 (29%)
20158 (24%)
20163 (12%)
20171 (11%)
20187 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are electrical problems on the 2014 BMW 320i?: NHTSA has logged 15 Electrical System complaints for the 2014 320i, which is 29% of all 52 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for electrical or lighting issues on the 2014 BMW 320i?: Yes. Recall campaign 15V520000, reported August 17, 2015, covers exterior lighting software on 2012-2015 320i and related models; BMW dealers upload revised software free of charge.
At what mileage do 2014 320i electrical failures usually happen?: The median mileage at failure for Electrical System complaints on this model year is 52,000 miles.
Are the electrical issues dangerous?: NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2014 320i includes 1 crash, 1 fire, and 1 injury among the reported complaints.
Do other 320i model years have similar electrical complaint rates?: Electrical System complaints represent 29% of complaints for 2014, compared to 24% in 2015, 12% in 2016, and 33% in 2018, based on NHTSA data.