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2014 BMW 328i lighting problems
moderate
Owners of the 2014 BMW 328i have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See lighting across all vehicles →
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
If the side marker lights do not illuminate, the vehicle may be less visible at night, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented
repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall
(it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Component and Issue Specific Limited Emission Warranty Extension. This bulletin is notice of a limited emission warranty extension. This is NOT a notice of a Recall or Service Action. There is no immediate repair required unless the BMW vehicle is currently experiencing this problem. Customer Notification Letter Even though this is NOT a Recall, BMW NA is sending VIN-specific customer notification letters. The plastic fuel tank has two openings, one at the top right and the other at the top left. The top right opening (passenger's side, serviceable) provides a mounting point and repair access to the intake fuel pump/level sensor assembly. The top left opening (driver's side, non-serviceable)
The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail lamps causing damage to the mounting points of the tail light assembly.
DELIVERY STOP: REWORK TAIL LIGHTS. The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail lamps causing damage to the mounting points of the tail light assembly.
DELIVERY STOP: REWORK TAIL LIGHTS. The tail light mounting brackets may be cracked or broken. During assembly oil may have contaminated the plastic housing of the rear tail lamps causing damage to the mounting points of the tail light assembly.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
lighting
· filed 12/29/2018
Was getting warnings about left rear brake and turn lights malfunctioning for months that would turn on and then go away. On christmas day the brake light and turn light for left rear came on and stayed on. I went and bought bulbs to replace them since at that point the lights were no longer working (instead of a warning that would come on then go right back off once the brake was pressed or left…
lighting
· filed 12/11/2018
Fault in airbag on screen, comes on and off. Started around 61,513 miles. Exact message "fault in airbag, belt rensioner or belt-force limiter. Few days later, check engine comes on, along with high RPM's, while struggling to accelerate. 12/10/2018 engine is extremely loud and dropping off at dealer. Also back tail lights have moisture, back passenger was replaced a year ago. Driver side now…
lighting
· filed 11/22/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the headlights failed to illuminate the road. The vehicle was taken to patrick BMW (700 e golf rd, schaumburg, il 60173) where it was diagnosed that the headlight casing needed to be replaced; however, there was no available remedy. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The VIN…
Had lighting trouble with your 2014 BMW 328i?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2014 BMW 328i?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover lighting issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/BMW/328i.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.