BMW 140010: Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
BMW code 140010 means the DME detected combustion misfires on several cylinders at once. It is part of the 1400xx/140Nxx misfire family, and the most common causes are worn ignition coils or spark plugs, followed by fuel injector or fuel pressure issues.
Quick facts
- System
- Engine / Ignition & Misfire
- Severity
- Serious
- Can you still drive?
- Short drives only, diagnose soon
- Applies to
- BMW DME stored misfire codes on F series and later petrol engines. Reported repeatedly on N20, and the same numbering appears in owner reports on N55, N63 and B58, so the family is not engine specific. Our own ISTA readings: three BMWs, including a 2012 F10 with N20 and a 2016 F15 X5 with N20.
Also shown by some scanners as: 140110, 140210, 140310, 140410, 140001, 140101, 140401
Symptoms
- Rough idle, shaking or vibration that is worst when cold or at a standstill
- Drivetrain malfunction message and reduced power, sometimes limp mode
- Engine warning light on steady, or flashing during a heavy misfire
- Hesitation, stumble or a jerk under acceleration
- Petrol smell from the exhaust, higher fuel consumption, or a failed emissions test
Common causes, most likely first
- 1
Failed or weak ignition coil
The single most common cause of this code family
- 2
Worn or fouled spark plugs, including one not tightened correctly after a previous job
- 3
Faulty or clogged fuel injector
Usually the answer when the misfire stays on the same cylinder after coil and plug are changed
- 4
Low or unstable fuel pressure from a failing high pressure fuel pump or supply issue
- 5
Valvetronic eccentric shaft actuator or sensor fault, and carbon build up on intake valves
- 6
Stretched timing chain or timing correction out of range
This one usually throws several cylinders out at once
Stock moves fast and listings change daily. WhatsApp us, we can usually source this part quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I still drive with code 140010?
Short, gentle driving to get the car in for testing is usually fine if the engine light is steady. Stop driving if the light is flashing, if the car has gone into limp mode, or if the shaking is heavy, because raw fuel passing an unburnt cylinder into the exhaust can destroy the catalytic converter and turn a simple coil and plug job into a far bigger bill.
Does this always mean the ignition coils need replacing?
Ignition coils are the most common cause, but not the only one. Spark plugs, fuel injectors, fuel pressure, Valvetronic components and even a stretched timing chain can trigger the same code. A proper diagnostic read at the workshop is needed to confirm which part is actually at fault before buying anything.
What does fixing this usually involve?
Depending on what the workshop diagnostic finds, this usually points to ignition coils and spark plugs replaced together, or in some cases fuel injectors, the fuel pump, Valvetronic actuator parts, or a timing chain kit. WhatsApp us the code and car model for stock and today's price.
Which BMW models does this code apply to?
This is a BMW DME misfire code family found on F series and later petrol engines. It has been reported on N20, N55, N63 and B58 engines, so it is not limited to one engine type. Our own workshop readings include a 2012 F10 with N20 and a 2016 F15 X5 with N20.