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BMW F34 3 Series Gran Turismo common problems

2014–2019 · 328i xDrive GT, 335i xDrive GT, 330i xDrive GT, 340i xDrive GT (N20, N55, B46/B48, B58). The known weak spots of the engines used in the F34, with sources, plus the topics that come up most in BMW's service bulletins and NHTSA recalls for this chassis.

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N20 engine

328i xDrive GT (2014–2016) · N20 bulletins →

Timing chain guide wear

BMW extended N20/N26 timing chain and oil pump drive chain coverage to 7 years/70,000 miles (SI B11 03 17), and a class-action settlement added partial coverage beyond that. A whine from the front of the engine is the warning sign.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

N20 timing chain replacement: prices →

Sources: BMW SI B11 03 17 on NHTSA

Oil leaks and electric water pump

Valve cover, oil filter housing gasket leaks and electric water pump failures also come up on higher-mileage N20s.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

  • SIB 11 05 21 Water pump cracking Water pump cracking on BMW G05/G06/G07/G20 and other models (2017–2022); BMW repairs affected cars free under a service campaign. Service campaign · Dec 2024
  • SIB 11 01 20 Oil filter housing cracking Oil filter housing cracking on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
  • SIB 11 14 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E90/E92/E93/F30 and other models (2012–2017); BMW shared service information. Service bulletin · Jan 2016

N55 engine

335i xDrive GT (2014–2016) · N55 bulletins →

Oil filter housing gasket, valve cover and oil pan leaks

The N55's most common repairs are oil leaks at the filter housing gasket, the plastic valve cover and the oil pan gasket.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

  • SIB 11 01 20 Oil filter housing cracking Oil filter housing cracking on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
  • SIB 11 14 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E90/E92/E93/F30 and other models (2012–2017); BMW shared service information. Service bulletin · Jan 2016
  • SIB 11 13 15 Oil filter housing leak Oil filter housing leak on BMW E60/E84/E89/E90 and other models (2009–2016); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Aug 2015

N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG): prices → N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV): prices → N55 oil pan gasket: prices →

Electric water pump and thermostat

Like the N52 and N54, the N55 uses an electric coolant pump that eventually fails.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat: prices →

Charge pipe cracks

The plastic charge pipe between turbo and intercooler can crack, causing a sudden loss of boost; it's a shared N55/S55 weak point.

Sources: Lang Racing: N55/S55 crank hub and boost notes

B46/B48 engine

330i xDrive GT (2017–2019) · B46/B48 bulletins →

Oil filter housing and coolant leaks

The oil filter housing / oil cooler gasket and cooling system leaks are the most common repairs on these modular four-cylinders.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

  • SIB 11 05 21 Water pump cracking Water pump cracking on BMW G05/G06/G07/G20 and other models (2017–2022); BMW repairs affected cars free under a service campaign. Service campaign · Dec 2024
  • SIB 11 01 20 Oil filter housing cracking Oil filter housing cracking on BMW G01/G02/G05/G07 and other models (2012–2021); BMW explains the cause and the approved repair. Service bulletin · Jun 2021
  • SIB 01 01 16 Thermostat warranty extension Thermostat warranty extension on N20/N52/N55 engines (2012–2017); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Service bulletin · Dec 2017

B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak): prices →

Fuel tank vent (purge) valve

BMW extended coverage on the EVAP purge valve to 15 years/150,000 miles on many cars. A failed valve sets check-engine codes and can cause rough idle after refuelling.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

B58 / B48 fuel tank vent valve (purge valve): prices →

B58 engine

340i xDrive GT (2017–2019) · B58 bulletins →

Oil filter housing, valve cover/PCV and coolant leaks

The B58's best-known repairs: oil filter housing gasket leaks, the valve cover with built-in PCV, and coolant leaks from the water pump or expansion tank.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak): prices → B58 valve cover / PCV failure: prices → B58 water pump (coolant pump): prices →

Fuel tank vent (purge) valve

Covered by BMW's 15-year/150,000-mile EVAP purge valve extension on many cars.

BMW bulletins on file for the F34:

B58 / B48 fuel tank vent valve (purge valve): prices →

Most frequent bulletin topics 705 bulletins

TopicBulletinsExamples
Battery18SIB 61 03 19, SIB 12 27 16
Instrument cluster16SIB 62 06 13, SIB 62 03 22
Central display15SIB 61 05 24, SIB 65 04 22
Steering12SIB 66 24 19, SIB 61 03 15
Radio11SIB 65 19 22, SIB 65 11 21
Power window9SIB 51 13 18, SIB 51 08 19
Transmission9SIB 12 25 19, SIB 12 04 17
Check engine light8SIB 11 07 17, SIB 12 05 19

BMW service bulletins and warranty extensions filed with NHTSA that list the F34, grouped by topic. A bulletin tells technicians how to diagnose and fix a known issue; it doesn't mean every car has the problem.

NHTSA recalls by component 18

  • head air bag · 2 recalls25V871, 24V288
  • engine · 2 recalls19V732, 18V465
  • engine starter · 1 recall25V636
  • water pump, plug connector · 1 recall24V608
  • driver's front air bag · 1 recall24V527
  • receiver audio module (ram) ECU · 1 recall23V584
  • front seat frame · 1 recall23V211
  • rearview camera software · 1 recall21V096

Matched from NHTSA's public recall file by model and model year. Recall repairs are free; check a VIN.

BMW warranty extensions that list the F34

  • SIB 01 03 24 EVAP system warranty extension EVAP system warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G05/G06 and other models (2017–2025); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jun 2026
  • SIB 01 02 24 EVAP system warranty extension EVAP system warranty extension on BMW G11/G12/G20/F22 and other models (2016–2024); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jun 2026
  • SIB 01 20 16 Electrical system service information Electrical system service information on BMW E46/E70/E71/E72 and other models (2006–2014); BMW extended coverage for eligible cars. Warranty extension · May 2026
  • SIB 01 03 25 Radiator warranty extension Radiator warranty extension on BMW G05/G06/G07/G20 and other models (2019–2022); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Mar 2026
  • SIB 72 02 25 Seat warranty extension Seat warranty extension on BMW G01/G02/G20/F30 and other models (2019–2021); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jun 2025
  • SIB 01 08 25 Body check engine light Body check engine light on BMW G05/G06/G07/G20 and other models (2019–2022); BMW gives an inspection and repair procedure. Warranty extension · May 2025
  • SIB 01 16 24 Telematics unit warranty extension Telematics unit warranty extension on BMW G11/G12/G20/G30 and other models (2018–2020); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Jan 2025
  • SIB 01 18 24 Telematics unit warranty extension Telematics unit warranty extension on BMW G11/G12/G20/G30 and other models (2018–2020); BMW extended the warranty on this part for eligible cars. Warranty extension · Dec 2024

If a car qualifies, the listed repair may be free. Check eligibility for the VIN with a BMW center.

Repair prices for these engines

N20 timing chain replacement B58 / B48 oil filter housing (coolant leak) N55 oil filter housing gasket (OFHG) N55 valve cover / valve cover gasket (PCV) B58 valve cover / PCV failure N52 / N54 / N55 electric water pump + thermostat N55 oil pan gasket VANOS solenoids (intake / exhaust) B58 / B48 fuel tank vent valve (purge valve) N55 ignition coils (all six) N55 charge pipe (intercooler to throttle) replacement B58 coolant expansion tank (G05 X5 40i, high- or low-temp) B58 heat management module (thermostat) replacement B58 oil pump replacement B58 water pump (coolant pump)

Prices on these pages are for other chassis with the same engine.

More for the F34

F34 engines, recalls & bulletins F34 maintenance schedule Pre-purchase VIN check

Sources: BMW service bulletins and recalls filed with NHTSA (public data) and the specialist and owner write-ups linked above. Not affiliated with BMW.

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