2014 BMW X3
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2014 models.

- Class
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Body styles
- Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV, Xdrive35i 4 Dr SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Horsepower
- 241–300 hp
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 28 hwy
- Length
- 183.1 in
- Curb weight
- 4,068–4,222 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
- Modest powerUp to 300 hp, versus about 400 hp for similar 2014 models.
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2014 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2014 BMW X3 is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 183 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,068 lb (Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 28 highway), 10% better than the 2014 small SUV average of 21.8 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 83 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2014
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2013 X3 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2013; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2013 X3 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Greer, South Carolina
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2014 X3 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xdrive28i 4 Dr SUV | 183.1 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 110.6 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 4,068 lb | 50/50 |
| Xdrive35i 4 Dr SUV | 183.1 in | 74 in | 66.1 in | 110.6 in | 63.8 / 64.2 in | 4,222 lb | 50/50 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X3 xDrive28i | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | +10% | $3,400 | 372 |
| X3 xDrive35i | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 21 | -4% | $3,900 | 416 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2014 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2014 BMW X3.
Similar 2014 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 BMW X3 (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2014 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 13 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2014 Porsche Cayenne | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2014 BMW X5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2014 Lexus RX | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2014 Volvo XC90 | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2014 Audi Q5 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
Recalls (6)
Electrical System › Wiring › Connectors/Plugs/Receptacles · Aug 13, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · 720,796 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Jul 11, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V527000 · 1,145 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Air Bags › Frontal · Nov 24, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V797000 · 486 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014 X3 xDrive28i, X3 xDrive35i, X5 sDrive35i, X5 xDrive35i, and 2015 X4 xDrive35i vehicles. 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, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- Dealers will replace the driver's front air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Child Seat › Latch Strap · May 23, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V333000 · 188,668 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017, X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i and X3 xDrive35i, vehicles manufactured July 2, 2010 to April 14, 2016, 2015-2017 X3 xDrive28d vehicles manufactured March 10, 2014 to March 31, 2016, and 2015-2017 x4 xDrive28i, X4 xDrive35i and X4 xDriveM40i vehicles manufactured March3, 2014 to April 15, 2016. The affected vehicles have lower anchor bars for securing child restraint seats that may become damaged when using the European-ISOFIX-type, rigid-style connector, child restraint system.
- Risk
- Damaged lower anchor bars may increase the child's risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will weld a reinforcing bracket to the lower anchor bars and the vehicle body, free of charge. The recall began on July 13, 2016. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · Oct 7, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V627000 · 8,988 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014 BMW 328i xDrive Sports Wagon, 2012-2014 BMW 320i Sedan, 328i Sedan, 320i xDrive Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 2012-2013 BMW 528i Sedan, 528i xDrive Sedan, 2013-2014 BMW X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2013-2014 BMW X3 xDrive28i Sports Activity Vehicle, 2012-2014 BMW Z4 sDrive28i Roadster, and 2014 BMW 428i Coupe, and 428i xDrive Coupe. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 13V-454.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will install a locking ring in the camshaft to retain the camshaft seal disk in the proper location, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Sep 26, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V454000 · 76,191 vehicles
- Problem
- BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 320i xDrive, and 328i xDrive sedans; model year 2014 328i xDrive Sports Wagons; model year 2012-2013 528i and 528i xDrive sedans, model year 2013-2014 X1 sDrive28i and X1 xDrive28i vehicles and model year 2012-2014 Z4 sDrive28i roadsters. Due to insufficient lubrication, the vacuum pump that supplies brake power assistance may fail.
- Risk
- A failure of the brake vacuum pump results in a reduction in braking power that could increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- BMW will notify owners, and dealers will modify the vehicles to prevent insufficient vacuum pump lubrication, free of charge. The safety recall began on January 31, 2014. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
Not every 2014 BMW X3 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2014 BMW X3 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 30 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Engine — 19 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Engine And Engine Cooling — 19 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2014 BMW X3. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other X3 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 22 |
| 2025 X3 | 29 | 187.4 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 38 |
| 2024 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 42 |
| 2023 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2022 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 7 | 84 |
| 2021 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 113 |
| 2020 X3 | 27 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 16 | 110 |
| 2019 X3 | 26 | 185.4 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 171 |
| 2018 X3 | 25 | 185.4 in | Not rated | 11 | 76 |
| 2017 X3 | 24 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 6 | 92 |
| 2016 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 5 | 82 |
| 2015 X3 | 30 | 183.1 in | Not rated | 7 | 104 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this →