YearToAvoid

2014 BMW 528i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

22/100

#8 most-complained of 10 528i years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2014 BMW 528i has 57 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 22 out of 100 — #8 highest of 10 528i model years (verdict: Best). The most reported problem area is engine (34 complaints, 60% of the total). Complaints report 5 fires and 2 injuries.

Complaints
57
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
0 / 5
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26
22.5 city / 32.5 hwy

Top 2014 BMW 528i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine34 (60%)
  2. Electrical System29 (51%)
  3. Fuel System7 (12%)
  4. Structure & Body5 (9%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain5 (9%)
  6. Other4 (7%)
  7. Airbags2 (4%)
  8. Steering2 (4%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
  10. Seat Belts1 (2%)
2014 BMW 528i complaints: complaints filed per month12May 2014Feb 2018Feb 2020May 2022Jun 2023Oct 2024Mar 2025Jun 2026
91 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2014 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2025 (12).

2014 BMW 528i recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 24V527000Jul 11, 2024Airbags1,145 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Remedy: 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.

  3. NHTSA 15V188000Mar 31, 2015Electrical System13,443 vehicles

    Exterior lighting

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2013 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles. The rear reflex reflectors may not reflect enough light. As such, the vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: The vehicle may be less visible to other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear reflex reflectors, free of charge. The recall began July 28, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2014 BMW 528i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
22.5 MPG
Highway
32.5 MPG
Combined
26 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,050
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 528i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid7890426.5
2013Good3373426.5
2014Best2257326
2015Caution5665126
2016Good4459426.5

All BMW 528i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 BMW 528i a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2014 BMW 528i ranks #8 of 10 among 528i model years (Complaint Index 22/100, verdict: Best). It has 57 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 BMW 528i?
The most reported problem areas are engine (34 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints), and fuel system (7 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 77,500 miles.
Does the 2014 BMW 528i have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2014 BMW 528i, most recently reported 2024, covering electrical system and airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2014 BMW 528i?
EPA rates the 2014 BMW 528i at 26 MPG combined (22.5 city / 32.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.