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2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 5

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By Research the Car 5 min read

The 2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 is a luxury sedan that combines a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. The powertrain delivers a combined output of 335 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque. Other engine options for the 2014 BMW 5 Series (non-hybrid) include a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a more powerful version of the 3.0-liter inline-six, and a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. All engines were typically paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Owners often praise the ActiveHybrid 5 for its fuel efficiency and smooth ride, but some have expressed concerns about the complexity of the hybrid system and potential maintenance costs. Some dislikes include the reduced trunk space due to the battery pack.

Electric Motor

  • Reduced Electric-Only Range
    • Description/Symptoms: Over time, the lithium-ion battery pack can degrade, leading to a noticeable reduction in the vehicle’s electric-only driving range. Some owners report a significant drop in the available EV miles.
    • Solution: Battery pack replacement or reconditioning.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $8,000 - $15,000+ for replacement, $3,000 - $7,000 for reconditioning (depending on location and service).
  • Hybrid System Malfunction
    • Description/Symptoms: The car displays a “Hybrid System Malfunction” warning light on the dashboard. This can be accompanied by a loss of power, reduced fuel economy, or the inability to switch between electric and gasoline power. Diagnostic codes related to the hybrid control module or battery management system are common.
    • Solution: Diagnosis and repair of the hybrid control module, battery management system, or related components. This may involve software updates or component replacement.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $3,000+

Engine

3.0L Turbocharged Inline-Six (N55)

  • Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leak
    • Description/Symptoms: Oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket. This can lead to low oil levels and potential engine damage if not addressed. Visible oil around the oil filter housing and burning oil smell are common symptoms.
    • Solution: Replacement of the oil filter housing gasket.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
  • VANOS Solenoid Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Rough idling, decreased engine performance, and error codes related to the VANOS (variable valve timing) system.
    • Solution: Replacement of the faulty VANOS solenoid(s).
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+ per solenoid.

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP)

  • Rough Shifting/Hesitation
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported occasional rough shifting or hesitation, particularly when shifting at lower speeds.
    • Solution: Transmission fluid flush and filter replacement. In some cases, valve body replacement or mechatronic unit repair may be necessary.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $500 for fluid flush; $1,500 - $3,000+ for valve body/mechatronic unit.
  • Transmission Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported complete transmission failure that requires complete replacement.
    • Solution: Replacement of the transmission.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $5,000 - $8,000+

Suspension

  • Air Suspension Failure (if equipped)
    • Description/Symptoms: If the vehicle is equipped with air suspension, the air springs can develop leaks, causing the vehicle to sag or not maintain proper ride height. The air compressor may also fail.
    • Solution: Replacement of the faulty air spring(s) and/or air compressor.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1,500+ per air spring; $500 - $1,000+ for the compressor.

Electrical

  • iDrive System Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: The iDrive system (infotainment) can experience glitches, freezing, or complete failure.
    • Solution: Software update or replacement of the iDrive control unit.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,500+
  • Battery Drain
    • Description/Symptoms: The car’s battery drains quickly, especially if the car is not driven for a few days. This can be caused by a parasitic draw from a faulty module or component.
    • Solution: Identifying and repairing the source of the parasitic draw. This may involve testing various electrical components and modules.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ (depending on the source of the drain).

Exterior

  • Door Handle Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: The comfort access system, which allows keyless entry and locking, can experience issues. Owners have reported problems with the door handles not responding or failing to unlock/lock the doors.
    • Solution: Replacement of the affected door handle(s).
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $700+ per door handle.

Interior

  • Sunroof Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: The sunroof mechanism can fail, causing the sunroof to get stuck or not open/close properly.
    • Solution: Repair or replacement of the sunroof mechanism.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,200+
  • Navigation Screen Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The navigation screen can experience flickering, dimming, or complete failure.
    • Solution: Repair or replacement of the navigation screen.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+

Recalls

  • 14V-268: BMW is recalling certain model year 2014 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 550i, 550i xDrive, and ActiveHybrid 5 vehicles manufactured February 14, 2013, to April 29, 2014. Due to a software error, the vehicles may not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, “Electronic Stability Control (ESC).” In the event of a loss of stability and the activation of the ESC system, the ESC system may be disabled.
  • 17V-684: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2014 320i, 328i, 328d, 335i, 2014 328i GT, 2013-2014 428i, 435i, 2014-2015 228i, M235i, 2012-2015 328i, 328d, 335i, 2012-2016 528i, 535i, 550i, ActiveHybrid5, 2013-2016 535i GT, 2012-2013 X5, 2013-2016 X1, and 2014-2016 X3 vehicles. The affected vehicles have a brake booster that may fail.

In summary, the 2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 has a range of potential issues, with the most concerning ones relating to the hybrid system and transmission. Electrical problems and other component failures also contribute to the overall ownership experience. Repair costs can vary widely, with hybrid system and transmission repairs potentially being the most expensive. The active hybrid system and advanced technology can lead to higher maintenance cost, so buying a BMW extended warranty can be a worthwhile investment.

BMW, ActiveHybrid 5
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 2014
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