BMWX32014Overview/bmw/x3/2014/base/

2014 BMW X3

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2014 X3.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2014 BMW X3 is a compact luxury SUV equipped with an automatic (S8) transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 21 city, 28 highway, and 24 combined mpg, with an engine oil capacity of 7.3 quarts using 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 viscosity grades. For this model year, the X3 accumulated 84 total owner complaints, with Engine & Engine Cooling and Electrical System emerging as the primary concern areas, alongside 6 safety recalls. Against the broader complaint history spanning 2004-2026, where complaints peaked at 373 in 2007 and reached a low of just 10 in 2023, the 2014 model's 84 complaints position it as a middle performer in the model's reliability trajectory, reflecting a marked improvement over earlier model years while signaling moderate but notable concerns for prospective owners researching this generation.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.3 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/28/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 900 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 900 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717571355 alt 13717601868
Spark plug12120037582 alt 12120039664
Battery61217598775 alt 61217639053
Front wiper blades61612458017
Thermostat11537586784 alt 11538636594
Cabin air filter64319237158 alt 64119237159

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.1 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height66.1 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight4068 lb
Track (front / rear)63.8 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 28 / 24 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the X3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–7.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2015 xDrive35i
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec240 hpAWD
2015xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.30 sec13.90 sec300 hpAWD
2015xDrive28i 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.70 sec240 hpAWD
2015xDrive28d 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-47.70 sec16.00 sec180 hpAWD
2015xDrive28d 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-47.90 sec16.20 sec180 hpAWD
2011xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-65.60 sec14.20 sec300 hpAWD
2011xDrive35i 3.0L Turbo I-66.00 sec14.60 sec300 hpAWD
2011xDrive28i 3.0L I-66.70 sec15.00 sec240 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.3 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidBMW part number 83222152426
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.8 Pints
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.3 qt
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug24.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance900 cca
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance950 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-23 psi
Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief17-21 psi
Engine Compression101-145 psi
Engine Compression145-232 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.039 in / 0.724 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque to Knuckle — tightening sequence 1 stages
155 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 45 DEGRESS +/- 1055 FT. LBS
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 120,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2014 BMW X3 falls in a data gap between the 2010 and 2016 model years in the federal record, with 2010 showing 85 complaints, 8 recalls, and 175 TSBs versus 2016's 81 complaints, 5 recalls, and 243 TSBs. For 2014 specifically, the data records 18 complaints in the combined Engine & Engine Cooling/Electrical System category, 12 for Engine alone, and 6 each for Exterior Lighting and Service Brakes, along with 6 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint. The trend across documented years shows complaints generally declining from early-generation peaks of 373 in 2007 to lower levels by 2010, while TSBs rise steadily, suggesting increased manufacturer service activity despite fewer owner reports. Recalls fluctuate but trend upward in later years, reaching 16 by 2020 before declining. Without a full 2014 federal record, the available complaint profile points to engine and electrical systems as primary concern areas, though the data does not specify root causes. Based on the partial data, 2014 appears comparable to the lower-complaint 2010 and 2016 model years, making it a reasonable purchase candidate if a thorough inspection of the engine, cooling, and electrical systems reveals no issues.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
322
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
84
Owner complaints
6 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 84 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System18
Engine12
Exterior Lighting6
Service Brakes6
Air Bags5
Electrical System5
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine4
Unknown Or Other3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 322 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B4107222024-04-04StructureWhile driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the…
B0105202024-01-23Engine And Engine CoolingThe vehicle demonstrates a power loss and the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on. The…
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B5218232023-12-15SeatsA noise can be heard from underneath the seat while the seat is being moved either…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific X3. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2014 X3 take?

7.3 qt of 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 OIL MEETING BMW SPECIFICATION LL01, per the factory manual.

Does the 2014 X3 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the X3 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined mpg.