2014 BMW M235i recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Fuel system
What's wrong, in plain English: Fuel lines, tank or pump. Fuel problems usually mean a leak, and leaks mean fire risk. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
What could happen: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2014 M235I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 15V189000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Summary: BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 228i Coupe, M235i Coupe, 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, ActiveHybrid 3, 328xi Sports Wagon, 428i Coupe, 428xi Coupe, 435i Coupe, 435xi Coupe, 428i Convertible, 428xi Convertible, 435i Convertible, 328xi Gran Turismo, 335xi Gran Turismo, and 2015 428i Gran Coupe, 428xi Gran Coupe, and 435i Gran Coupe vehicles. Improper nickel plating of components within the fuel pump may result in the fuel pump failing.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the vehicle may stall without warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notices on May 28, 2015. The recall began on July 6, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
2. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2014 M235I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 24V288000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
3. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: 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.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2014 M235I.
- Book a repair at any authorized BMW dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 25V871000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-525-7417.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:HEAD
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes:
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Engine (2), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Body / structure (1), Airbags (1), Seats (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (5)
10/02/2020 · Engine
DUE TO THE POORLY DESIGNED OILING SYSTEM IN THE N55 ENGINE. WHEN THE CAR IS SUBJECTED TO HIGH G FORCES FROM THINGS SUCH AS TRACK DRIVING OR SPIRITED DRIVING. THE OIL SLOSHES IN IN THE PAN AND THE OIL PICK UP DOESN'T GET ANY OIL. THEREFORE THE ENGINE OIL STARVES AND MY CASE PRODUCES ROD KNOCK. WHICH BASICALLY MEANS THE ENGINE IS DESTROYED. I WAS DRIVING MY C…
06/18/2018 · Body / structure
WHEN CAR IS PARKED, DRIVER SIDE DOOR OCCASIONALLY WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN PULLING ON DOOR HANDLE. THE LOCK ON THE DOOR WILL COME UP, BUT WILL NOT STAY AND RETURNS TO LOCKED POSITION. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, DOOR CAN ONLY BE UNLOCKED BY USING THE DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTON OR UNLOCK BUTTON ON KEY.
03/18/2018 · Airbags
WHILE PARKED I WAS MOVING THE DRIVER SEAT BACK ALL THE WAY BACK AND THEN TRIED TO MOVE IT FORWARD AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WAS STUCK IN THE POSITION. THE SEAT WOULD NOT RESPOND AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND RESTARTING THE CAR IT FINALLY RESPONDED. AFTER THIS THE AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND SAID 'DRIVER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION'
03/02/2017 · Transmission / drivetrain
AS I WAS MERGING ON TO THE EXPRESSWAY (TRYING TO GET TO 70MPH) THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND A WARNING FLASHED UP SAYING "DRIVETRAIN MALFUNCTION: DRIVE MODERATELY". I HAVE ATTACHED A PICTURE. AFTER WHICH I WAS RESTRICTED TO 50MPH AND AROUND 1700RPM. CAR WAS SLUGGISH AND SLOW AND WAS DANGEROUS CONSIDERING I WAS ON AN EXPRESSWAY.
05/11/2015 · Transmission / drivetrain
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 11 AM AT 35 MPH AND THE CAR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING DRIVE TRAIN MALFUNCTION SEE AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE CAR JUST STALLED. YOU COULD NOT START ENGINE BECAUSE LATER ON ABOUT A WEEK WE LEARNED THAT IT WAS A BMW RECALL OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH THE DEALER WASN'T EVEN INFORMED ON BY BMW CORPORATE. I COULDN'T EVEN GET THE CAR…