What 151 owners told NHTSA about the 2014 BMW 328d

Vehicle experienced sudden engine failure while driving due to timing chain failure on N47 diesel engine, a known defect. Loss of propulsion occurred without warning, creating a safety risk.

NHTSA ODI 11717764

I am reporting an emissions-related malfunction that occurred a very short time after BMW performed the EGR cooler recall and updated the DDE software on my vehicle. Shortly after the recall work, the vehicle began showing DDE fault code 2BB300 – Particulate Sensor Measuring Electrode, Self-Diagnosis, which triggered the MIL. This issue did not exist at any point before the recall. Although my vehicle is now older than 10 years, the critical concern is that this emissions-related failure appeared soon after the recall intervention, indicating a potential recall-associated defect rather than normal age-related wear. The fault was diagnosed at BMW West Houston, where it was confirmed; however, I was told no warranty or goodwill support could be provided due to vehicle age, despite the timing suggesting a recall-related cause. BMW’s emissions warranty extension bulletin (NHTSA TSB ID: MC-10160282-9999) lists particulate sensor failures (2BB700–2BA200) as known issues. Many BMW diesel owners have reported similar particulate sensor faults shortly after the EGR cooler recall and related software changes, suggesting a broader pattern. If the EGR recall or subsequent software calibration is leading to particulate sensor failures and MIL activation, this may represent a post-recall emissions defect affecting compliance. I request that NHTSA evaluate whether the EGR recall may be contributing to widespread particulate sensor failures. Vehicle Information: – 2014 BMW Diesel – Fault Code: 2BB300 – Failure occurred a short time after the EGR cooler recall & software update – Diagnosed at: BMW West Houston Thank you for your attention.

NHTSA ODI 11717151

The primary failure involves the EGR cooler system covered under Recall 21V-907, with consequential damage to the intake system, including intake air leaks, charge pipe failure, displaced turbo-to-DPF V-band clamp, brittle/cracked fuel lines, and intake system integrity loss. Yes — the vehicle and all affected components are available for inspection upon request The EGR cooler internal leak defect and intake system failures create risk of engine overheating, thermal degradation, loss of engine power under boost, exhaust gas leakage, and potential fire hazard, which can cause unsafe driving conditions and sudden loss of vehicle performance The vehicle was presented to a BMW dealership, and the recall defect was acknowledged. The dealer confirmed that any decisions regarding inspection and repair must come from BMW corporate. The dealership refused to inspect or evaluate the recall-related failures pending corporate authorization. No. BMW of North America has not authorized inspection or evaluation. The dealership also refused to inspect the vehicle pending corporate direction. Yes. Symptoms included audible air leaks, intake pressure loss under boost, performance degradation, and component failures occurring both before and after recall repair attempts. These symptoms developed during the period when the vehicle was operating under a known recall-defect condition and continued after recall repair.

NHTSA ODI 11715249

a check engine light came on codes say it's the EGR valve and cooler dealer states since recalls are vin related there was not much they can do recall states its based by manufactured day not vin

NHTSA ODI 11659669

Check engine light came on and codes suggest it's the egr valve and cooler may be leaking

NHTSA ODI 11659500

[XXX] - Purchase vehicle, odometer 109,803. 11/2019 - Car went into limp mode while driving on highway. Towed to BMW dealership and was advised needed new engine, at the time it only had 123,661 miles on it. Towed to EurAuto Shop for installation of replacement engine. 02/2020- The shop replaced the ceased OEM engine with a 2015 engine, with only 60,000 miles on it. EurAuto Shop tore down OEM engine and confirmed the timing chain guide broke, resulting in jumped timing and caused valve to hit piston. Total cost for engine replacement $6,641.49. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11616207

12/2023 - Sewell BMW replaced EGR, all H/P fuel lines at injectors due to corrosion, injector harness due to heat damage to the wire jackets, cracked coolant pipe. At 145,976 that's an additional 22,315 miles on the 60,000 mile 2015 replacement engine. Total repair costs $3,939.45. 08/23/2024 - Passed inspection, odometer 149,701. 09/09/2024- Only 2 weeks later an estimate of 4,000 miles after replacing injector harness and H/P fuel lines, engine went up in flames, reason unknown. Pictures attached, vehicle was a total loss.

NHTSA ODI 11616210

There was a recall to replace EGR cooler on this car. Dealer replaced with same defective design EGR cooler. BMW is not putting any effort in redesigning EGR cooler and install that one in customer's cars. We are again risking our lives with new but defective design EGR cooler.

NHTSA ODI 11585411

stall/loss of power while entering highway on ramp. Engine died and would not restart. After inspecting car found the gas tank to be filled with metal shavings which is indicative of a failed high pressure fuel pump. My year make and model vehicle has a recall on the HPFP for the same reason but my VIN was supposedly not affected.

NHTSA ODI 11554116

The contact owns a 2014 BMW 328D. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was exhaust fumes inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine was flushed; however, the failure recurred. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V907000 (Fuel System, Diesel). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

NHTSA ODI 11524388

While driving on the freeway at a high rate of speed in Pensacola, FL, my 2014 BMW 328d broke down. After several attempts to restart, the car was started in "limp mode" and we took it to a certified independent BMW mechanic, but could only drive at about 20mph in traffic with hazard lights flashing. Multiple error codes / mechanic inspection diagnosed a malfunction of the exhaust system overheating, which was melting the intake manifold. We towed the car the BMW dealership in Fort Walton Beach, FL. The service technician confirmed the problem in writing, "The tech did find the intake melted." Also, the vehicle had been losing coolant for several weeks, but the coolant was not dripping onto the ground, indicating a leak within the system. Here is where my problems begin. There are several recalls and an extended warranty that would would fix the issue, as the independent mechanic told me. They are: 1) Recall Campaign 18V-755: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler Inspection; 2) Recall 21V-907: Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Cooler N57T High Temperature; 3) SIB 01 05 20: N47T/N57T EGR Cooler Ltd Wty Extension to 10 years without mileage limit. My car was built to US spec, and sold via U.S. Military sales in Germany (I'm Active Duty USAF). I was relocated to Florida, and brought the car with me. When this happened, I was told to register my car with BMW North America to get into their warranty validation system, and I did so. However, my car does not show up as needing any recalls or warranty work, likely because it was sold in Europe. As such, the dealer wants me to pay in excess of $3,000 to fix the problem. Both an independent mechanic and dealer technician have identified the previously-known safety problems as the cause of my car's breakdown on the freeway. I am in desperate need of help to get this fixed, as I've had to rent a car for weeks, and multiple calls to BMW North America and dealership visits have produced zero progress.

NHTSA ODI 11524114

DEF SCR Active Tank Fluid Level sensor fails. BMW requires entire replacement of the Active Tank for $1200 parts + $1500 for labor. This is a ridiculous repair since Volkswagen sells a repair kit for the Active Tank fluid sensor for just ~$300 in their diesel. Given the high failure rates of the Active Tank fluid sensor present throughout BMW diesel line-up in the USA, BMW should instead provide a repair kit to avoid such an expensive repair. The 335d and X5d had such high failure rates of the active tanks, that the extended warranties were provided to owners 120K/10years.

NHTSA ODI 11522157

I recently got the EGR cooler replaced as part of the recall campaign safety issue, after my repair, a very strong smell of fuel and exhaust was coming into my car cabin, when I reported to BMW they said it should burn off - that it wasn’t an issue. I took it a master technician to diagnose and inspect my car and he found that the turbo waster gate was leaking caused by all of the buildup of carbon and soot from a faulty EGR cooler. I brought this up to the dealership, and they said unfortunately this problem is not covered. I’m escalating this issue because this is a majority safety and health risk, and BMW is not taking responsibility to fix the problem.

NHTSA ODI 11520748

From purchasing this vehicle form Autohaus of Orlando, there was no such mention of this open safety recall at all. In fact, I believe the Check Engine Light had been tampered with, as it was not on, but immediately came on a couple days later. On the CARFAX, it is listed as a Manufacturer Safety Recall on 11/19/2021: "- Recall #21V-907:404 - EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION (EGR) COOLER - Status: Remedy Not Available - Need more information about this recall? Find an authorized BMW dealer, email CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com, or call 1-800- 525-7417" 200 miles from the car dealership, the car broke down as it was rapidly leaking engine coolant, it was inoperable and ran very hot, creating the potential cause of a fire. I had to take it to the nearest BMW dealership, which was BMW of Albany in Albany, GA. They fixed the coolant leak hose, which appears to be related to the open recall, and made note of the open recall. But did nothing to fix it. It was one day after the service from their shop where the check engine light came on, and I asked them about it, and Caroline from BMW Albany said: "Spoke to the technician, it says it is probably related to the recall for your vehicle that there isn't a fix for (the open recall you and I had discussed on the vehicle)- he says you could clear the code but it would probably just come back on with time. He says its also difficult to tell from that fault code --Caroline Eva BMW of Albany" I asked "what should I do about it" and got no response back. Message even says "read" On 8/31/2022, I took it into Fields BMW in Daytona Beach, FL for a separate service, and they did not fix this issue either. On NHTSA.gov, it states the following: "If the manufacturer has failed or is unable to remedy this safety recall for your vehicle in a timely manner, please contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at: 1-888-327-4236 or TTY: 1-800-424-9153 or file an online complaint with NHTSA." There has been no remedy in over a year and a half.

NHTSA ODI 11517207

SCR Active Tank no longer reads Urea, BMW ISTA diagnostic code 805256 8051B5--Return pump: taught in volume is outside the permitted range

NHTSA ODI 11515392

There is a known Engine Timing Chain problem with this make and model of vehicle. These timing chains tend to fail and fail sometimes quite early. Repair of these engine timing chains is prohibitively expensive. NHTSA should investigate and determine that a recall should be required to ensure that these timing chains don't fail prematurely or are replaced by the manufacturer when they do so.

NHTSA ODI 11508708

I was in a busy Freeway driving & Now my 2014 Bmw 328 D high pressure fuel failed which caused me to stall and be stuck in the middle of the freeway which also almost made me cause like 10 car crashes it was sorry scary but lucky police helped out and other driver where also caution

NHTSA ODI 11498729

Timing chain snapped and blew the engine, no warning at all. more than 60+ miles from home

NHTSA ODI 11440854

ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. BAD TIMING CHAIN. THERE IS CURRENTLY CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITH MY EXACT YEAR FOR 328I BUT I AM 328D. FROM MY RESEARCH IT APPEARS THE DIESEL MODELS HAVE EXPERIENCED MORE PROBLEMS THAN GAS ENGINES. EUROPE HAS DONE A RECALL WITH DIESEL ENGINES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. WHY NOT IN USA? THIS NEEDS TO BE COVERED AND ADDRESSED. I MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE FLAWLESSLY THE ENTIRE PERIOD. SINCE BMW KNEW OF THIS ISSUE THE WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UP TO 150K MILES. I WAS QUOTED $21,000 FOR NEW ENGINE, WHICH IS $5,000 MORE THAN ITS WORTH BEING VERY GENEROUS WITH VALUE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. I ACTUALLY WANTED BUY ANOTHER BMW AS I JUST LISTED VEHICLE FOR SALE DAYS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. IM GLAD I DIDNT SELL MY CAR EVEN THOUGH IM AT A REAL FINANCIAL LOSS HERE. IT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT. BMW WASNT RIGHT TO CONCEAL THIS IN FIRST PLACE. I WOULD HAVE PAID FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS. NOW THEY WANT CAPITALIZE ON NEW ENGINE PARTS AND LABOR. THIS CANNOT BE ALLOWED. DIESEL VEHICLES MUST BE ADDED TO RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 11403397

I HAVE A 2014 328D F31 THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED, MY 328D SHIFTED TO P MID TURN, AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. UPON TRYING TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD CRANK BUT NOT TURN OVER. (THANKFULLY, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND GOING AT SLOW SPEED - AND NOT ON THE INTERSTATE). WE HAD TO MANUALLY GET IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL TO BE ABLE TO PUSH IT INTO A PARKING SPOT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED. (THANKFULLY IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE DISINTEGRATED AS SOME OTHERS HAVE REPORTED). ALL OPEN RECALLS HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED, AND GREAT EFFORTS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE ONLY QUALITY, FRESH DIESEL HAS BEEN PUMPED IN THE CAR. BMW HAS OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS (NOT CHEAP) PART. HOWEVER, IT'S ONLY UP TO 10 YEARS OR 120,000 MILES, AND MY VEHICLE IS AT 128,000. I AM INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL THAT NO ONE WAS HURT, INJURED, OR WORSE IN THIS INCIDENT. BUT GIVEN THE HIGH FREQUENCY OF THIS HAPPENING AMONGST OTHER 328D OWNERS, AND THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS (MANY TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE), I WOULD EXPECT THAT BMW WOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND GET THESE PARTS REPLACED BEFORE ANYTHING WORSE HAPPENS. IT HAPPENED QUICKLY AND SUDDENLY WITH NO PRIOR PERFORMANCE WARNINGS, CODES, OR LIGHTS. IN FACT WHEN RUNNING A FOXWELL SCHWABEN 14020SCH SCANNER, NO CODES ARE BEING RETURNED. AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY CONCERN OF COURSE IS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT PREVENTABLE WITH TRADITIONAL DIAGNOSTICS. MY GOOGLE RESEARCH SHOWS THE BOSCH FUEL PUMP WAS RECALLED IN OTHER MODELS, BUT THE RECALL EXEMPTED THE DIESEL VARIANTS. I CAN'T IMAGINE AN ITEM PRONE TO FAILURE, THAT'S NOT LISTED ON A REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE. THERE ARE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS OUT THERE ON THE BOSCH CP4 FUEL PUMPS. (HOWEVER CP4.2 SEEMS TO BE MORE RELIABLE THAN THE CP4.1).

NHTSA ODI 11377871

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 BMW 328D. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED UNKNOWN RED ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER BMW OF RIVERSIDE LOCATED AT 3060 ADAMS ST, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 373-5000, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *LN CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE MANUFACTURER CREATED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE ISSUE. *DL

NHTSA ODI 11351165

I HAVE A 2014, 328D X-DRIVE. I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR A ENGINE LIGHT AND THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES WHEN I START THE CAR. THE EXHAUST FUMES ARE VERY BAD. IF I START IT WITH THE AIR SYSTEM AT OFF I WILL NOT GET IT. THIS IS ONLY AT A STAND STILL AND THE WORST WHEN THE CARS STARTED. THE DEALER HAS DONE OVER $4000 IN REPAIRS AND HAVE REPLACED MANY FUEL INJECTORS. ONE OF THE REPAIRS THE MANIFOLD MELTED TO THE FUEL INJECTORS AND THEY REPLACED ALL. I'M STILL GETTING THE FUMES. VERY DISAPPOINTED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE IS HORRIBLE. THEY ONLY TELL ME TO SEE MY DEALER. THEY SAY THEY WILL START A REPORT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND I'M STUCK WITH A CAR I LIKE VERY MUCH BUT NEED HELP GETTING EXHAUST FROM ENTERING THE CABIN FROM THE ENGINE AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323349

I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW STATING AN EGR COOLER RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR MY VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO BELLEVUE BMW AFTER SMELLING DIESEL INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE OVER NIGHT AND HAD ME RENT A VEHICLE WHILE THEY KEPT THE CAR OVERNIGHT. UPON RETURNING I WAS TOLD THAT MY EGR COOLER DID IN FACT NEED REPLACING. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE FIXING THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THEY HAD A CATCHY LEGAL BLIND TO HIDE BEHIND. ' NO REMEDY AT THIS TIME'. THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THEY COULD OF SOLD ME THE NEW EGR COOLER. BUT THEY CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT EITHER. I ASKED THE SERVICE ADVISER IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND HE ASSURED ME IT WAS. AS IT TURNS OUT HE LIED TO ME. A SHORT TIME LATER THE WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WAS SMOKE AND A BLACK SOOT BELLOWING OUT FROM BEHIND THE CAR AND WHEN I GOT PULLED OFF THE ROAD LARGE AMOUNTS OF THICK BLACK SMOKE BILLOWED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT REPAIRED AT AN APPROVED REPAIR FACILITY. 2400.00 LATER THE CAR WAS BACK ON THE ROAD FOR A SHORT TIME. A SHORT WHILE LATER I GOT TO WORK AND NOTICED A LOUD CLICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE. TOOK THE CAR BACK TO BELLEVUE BMW AND THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THE SHOP WHERE I WAS GETTING MY OIL CHANGES DONE WERE NOT CHANGING MY OIL. THIS DELIBERATE ATTEMPT TO MISDIRECT FAULT FROM KNOWINGLY PUTTING ME IN A POSITION TO BE HARMED FROM DECEITFUL BUSINESS PRACTICES AND BLATANT DISREGARD FOR MY SAFETY IS TRULY DISTURBING AND WOEFULLY DISAPPOINTING. GLIBLY I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST 26000.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE YET NOTHING LIKE AN ACTUAL PAPER REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS PRODUCED. ARE THESE PEOPLE JUST MAKING THIS STUFF UP AS THEY GO ALONG? MY HOPE IS THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN READ THIS AND FILE MORE COMPLAINTS. AFTER READING ABOUT ALL THE LAWSUITS AND CHICANERY I CAN HONESTLY SAY I WOULD NEVER OF BOUGHT THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11320356

SMELLING EXHAUST ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK TO BMW DEALER THEY SAID MY FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING AND HAVE MELTED TO THE MANIFOLD. I ASKED AND MADE A COMPLAINT WITH BMW AFTER SPENDING $3300. THAEY ALSO MENTIONED THERE WAS NO FIX FOR THE EGR COOLER RECALL. I ASKED IF THIS CAUSED MY FUEL INJECTOR MANIFOLD PROBLEM THEY SAY NO. ENGINE LIGHT CAKE ON RECENTLY ALSO SMELLING FUEL AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THEY REPLACED #1 INJECTOR. DROVE IT FOR TWO WEEKS AND ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED. TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR A EXHAUST COOLER. I HAVE HAD A LONER FOR A WEEK NOW. ONE I HOPE I WILL NOT GET CHARGED AGAIN. TWO DID THIS CAUSE MY INITIAL PROBLEM I DO NOT KNOW. THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY DIDN'T FIX AND I FEEL IT'S COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY.

NHTSA ODI 11300428

AT AROUND 70K BOTH NOX SENSORS IN MY CAR FAILED. BMW COVERED IT UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I'M WORRIED ABOUT RELIABILITY OF THIS SYSTEM. IT MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN IN FUTURE AND IF IT HAPPENS AFTER 120K MILES BMW WON'T COVER IT.

NHTSA ODI 11298914