2014 BMW 528i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2014 BMW 528i ranks 8th of 10 model years with a complaint index of 22, earning a Best verdict relative to other 528i years. NHTSA lists 57 complaints, 5 fires, 3 recalls, and no crashes or deaths for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 22/100
- #8 of 10 528i years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 57
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 26
- 22.5 city / 32.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2014 BMW 528i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine34 (60%)
- Electrical System29 (51%)
- Fuel System7 (12%)
- Structure & Body5 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (9%)
- Other4 (7%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Steering2 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine fires starting while the vehicle was parked or driving, in some cases totaling the car.
- Some describe the engine stalling or shutting off without warning while driving at low speed, including one case after driving through a puddle that led to a hydro-locked engine.
- Electrical system complaints include a headlamp-area fire and a case where the driver-side door would not unlock, trapping the driver inside with the engine off.
- A driver's side airbag was reported as malfunctioning and failing to deploy.
- One owner found cracks in two wheels at the inboard flange/bead seat area during a routine tire rotation.
- A burning smell and smoke from a seat were reported alongside a burnt connector that the dealer did not fully document or repair.
2014 BMW 528i recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 BMW 528i reliable?
- Relative to other 528i model years, the 2014 ranks well: it has a complaint index of 22, the 8th worst of 10 years, and carries a Best verdict compared to other years like 2008 and 2011, which are rated Avoid.
- What problems does the 2014 BMW 528i have?
- NHTSA complaints point mainly to the Engine (34 complaints, 60% share) and Electrical System (29 complaints, 51% share), including reports of fires, stalling, and door lock failures.
- Does the 2014 BMW 528i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 528i, covering the water pump/plug connector, a driver's front airbag replacement, and rear reflex reflectors. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How many fires were reported for the 2014 BMW 528i?
- NHTSA complaints include 5 fires and 2 injuries for the 2014 528i, with no reported crashes or deaths.
- What is the median mileage for 2014 BMW 528i engine complaints?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 80,000 miles for Engine complaints and 77,500 miles across all complaints for the 2014 528i.