2009 BMW 3 Series
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 388 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 21 3 Series model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 15 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 17 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)Mar 2, 2022
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Campaign 22V119000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, cooling system, fanAug 10, 2012
This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
Campaign 12E029000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
126 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seats, Mar 18, 2019
THE SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR MAT HAS FAILED THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON.THE 2006 TO 2008 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT NOT THE 2009.THOS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WITH A FAULTY SENSOR.CONTACTED BMW WILL NOT REPAIR UNLESS YOU PAY FULL PRICE.THIS IS A JOKE BECAUSE THE REPAIR IS 1500 DOLLARS OR MORE, THE CAR ONLY HAS 77000 MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED BECAUSE THIS A SERIOUS AND COMMON PROBLEM WHICH IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AND IS A HORRIBLE DESIGN.
Air bags, Service brakes, Dec 21, 2018, crash
AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURY *DSY *DT*JB
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 20, 2018
MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT SENSOR IS FAULTY WHICH IS A PART OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG AND MAY NOT CAUSE IT TO DEPLOY IN THE EVENT THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY BMWS AFFECTED BY THIS BUT BMW DEALER WILL NOT DO THIS UNDER RECALL OR WARRANTY
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 1, 2018
WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009, AT THE TIME THE MILLEAGE ONLY AROUND 30000 MILES, ON 12-1-2012 AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ON. WE BROUGHT TO BMW DEALER, THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT WE HAVE TO PAY CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY TO DIAGNOSE IT, TO CHANGE BOTH OF IT WILL COST US THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. UNTIL TODAY WE STILL HAVE THEY SAME PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE CAN NOT AFFORD IT. I GOT SOME INFORMATION FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT MANY OWNERS OF BMW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM CONCERNED WITH MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE. SHE USE THE CAR, WE JUST HOPE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO HER. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO PLEASE REPLACE OUR CAR PROBLEMS. THANK YOU.
Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 1, 2018
WE BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009, AT THE TIME THE MILLEAGE ONLY AROUND 30000 MILES, SEAT BELT AND AIR BAG LIGHT ON, IN 2012. WE BROUGHT TO BMW DEALER, THE SERVICE TECH STATED THAT WE HAVE TO PAY CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY TO DIAGNOSE IT, AND TO CHANGE BOTH OF IT WILL COST US THOUSANDS OF FOLLARS. PLEASE REPLACE IT. IT WILL COST US THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. UNTIL TODAY WE STILL HAVE THEY SAME PROBLEMS BECAUSE WE CAN NOT AFFORD IT. I GOT SOME INFORMATION FROM OTHER PEOPLE THAT MANY OWNERS OF BMW HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM CONCERNED WITH MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE. SHE IS DRIVING IT, WE JUST HOPE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO HER. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO PLEASE REPLACE OUR CAR PROBLEMS.
Seats, Air bags, Oct 25, 2018
TAKATA RECALL-I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL AND THE BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA REPAIRED THE DRIVER SEAT-I THINK. WHEN I LEFT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS ON AND I ASKED ABOUT IT THE TECH SAID IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT YOU DON'T WANT TO SCHRAPNEL TO HIT THE PASSENGER. FROM THEN ON THE SEAT BELT SIGN STAYED ON EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON. I TOOK MY CAR BACK IN LAST WEEK FOR THE WARNING LIGHT AND WAS TOLD IT IS A SEAT SENSOR AND WOULD COST $1,400.00. DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAG RECALL? IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A FAULTY PART WITH BMW THEN WHY AREN'T THEY RECALLING AND REPAIRING?
Air bags, Jul 16, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING MINOR ACCIDENT CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. IMPACT OCCURED FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP AFTER ACCIDENT CAUSING NOSE DAMAGE AND BURN AND BRUISE ON LEFT ARM. IRREGULAR DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS SEATED ON PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVER SIDE VEHICLE SIDE AIRBAG WHERE I WAS SEATED DID NOT DEPLOY.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2018
THE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN AND I ALMOST DIED
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 11, 2018
SEAT OCCUPANCY DETECTOR FAULTY. PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SO TOOK TO BMW DEALER. (AS AN ASIDE THIS OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER (WI 3-4 MONTHS) AIR BAG REPLACED DUE TO TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL). TOLD RELATED TO SEAT MAT SENSOR, WHICH WAS UNDER/IN PASSENGER SEAT. NOT TOLD THAT COULD DISABLE FRONT AIR BAG. NOT TOLD THAT MULTIPLE BMW MODELS INCLUDING 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 AND 2010 MODELS HAVE SAME DEFECT, INCLUDING THE 3 SERIES, AND THE 328I MODEL, AND THE 5 SERIES,AND IN PARTICULAR, MODELS WITH CLIMATE OR SPORT SEAT (LIKE MINE). TOLD REPLACEMENT COST WELL OVER $1,000. DECLINED SERVICE THINKING IT WAS JUST A DEFECTIVE SEATBELT NOTICE ISSUE (AND SEATBELT WORKED), NOT REALIZING IMPACTED SAFETY. WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUED TO STAY ON AND CAME ON MORE FREQUENTLY, TOOK CAR TO A NON-BMW REPAIR SHOP FOR A SECOND OPINION, WHICH TOLD ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH BMWS AND THAT DEFECT PREVENTS PASSENGER AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING. CALLED BMW DEALERSHIP BACK AND RESTATED WHAT OTHER REPAIR SHOP HAD SAID AND THIS TIME SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME MAY BE SUBJECT TO RECALL, BUT WHEN HE LOOKED UP VIN NUMBER THIS PARTICULAR MODEL NOT INCLUDED. THIS TIME BMW SERVICE PERSON ALSO TOLD ME THAT ISSUE WILL DEACTIVATE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. BMW REFUSED TO REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGING FULL AMOUNT. CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND SERVICES AT BMW USA TO COMPLAIN AND WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING ALL OF THESE ISSUES WITH OTHER MODELS/YEARS CLAIMED THEY COULD NOT ASSUME THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING HERE. REALLY??? THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT CAN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. BMW IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SHAME ON BMW.
Air bags, May 15, 2018
AIR BAG SENSOR STILL ON AS FAULTY. BMW HAS STATED ITS THE SENSOR ASSOCIATED WITH THE THE EVENT OF ROLL OVER. PRIVATE COMPANY CERTIFIED TO SERVICE BMWS STATES ITS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. MY BMW'S COMPUTER ALSO STATES ITS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, May 9, 2018
HELLO, MY 2009 BMW E92 328I IS EXPERIENCING AN ISSUE WHERE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, WHICH WILL CAUSE THE AIRBAG AND SEATBELT TO NOT FUNCTION AS INTENDED. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON OTHER MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT WITH THE SAME DESIGN AND PARTS, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW MY CAR IS NOT COVERED. (HTTPS://BRANDILAW.COM/2013/12/26/BMW-RECALLS-76565-VEHICLES-DUE-TO-A-FRONT-PASSENGER-SEAT-ELECTRONIC-SENSING-MAT-FAILURE/) THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL ONLINE FORUMS THAT IT IS A RECURRING PROBLEM IN THE CARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE RECALL DATE. I AM TRYING MY BEST TO DO DUE DILIGENCE AND INFORM THE NTSB TO REVIEW THIS INCIDENT WITHIN OTHER BMW MODELS AND TO HOPEFULLY REMEDY ANY AFFECTED CARS. THE DESIGN OF THE SENSOR IS VERY POORLY CONSTRUCTED AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, LEAVING MANY OWNERS TO SIMPLY FOREGO MAKING THE NECESSARY FIXES. IN FACT, SEVERAL MECHANICS INFORMED ME THAT CUSTOMERS TYPICALLY AVOID MAKING THE FIX DUE TO HOW EXPENSIVE IT IS, RUNNING THE RISK OF THEIR PASSENGER NOT BEING PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. I HOPE THE NTSB CAN LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT [XXX] FOR ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, May 7, 2018
TAKATA RECALL; BOUGHT CAR ONLINE FROM SCHMBURG IL. BMW AND THE BMW WAS DELIVERED TO MY HOME ADDRESS IN SAN ANTONIO,TEXAS. CALLED SCHMBURG BMW AND THEY TOLD TO CALL SAN ANTONIO BMW. I DID CALL SAN ANTONIO BMW IN 2-2-2017. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM THEM AND IT'S 5/7/2018---HELP!!!
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jan 27, 2018
TAMARA RECALL: RECALL ON BATTERY TERMINAL; AIR BAG; BLOWER MOTOR; HEAT VALVE: RECALL 10/27/17: NOTIFIED DEALER: NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR ANY RECALL; DON'T KNOW WHEN WILL BE AVAILABLE. WAIT YOU WILL RECEIVE INFORMATION BY MAIL WHEN AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2018
HEAT NOT WORKING ON CAR. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE BEFORE RECALL IS FIXED. PLUS, I AM FREEZING IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP BMW HAS NOT RELEASED PARTS TO FIX. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 16, 2018
I HAVE AN AIRBAG WARNING AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HAS AN AIRBAG RECALL. MANY MECHANICS THAT SPECIALIZE IN BMW MODELS KEEP TELLING ME THE SAME THING,.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 16, 2018
ISSUE: WHEN SEAT UNOCCUPIED, WILL RECEIVE SEAT BELT WARNING AS IF A PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. ISSUE: WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT, AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON, WITH WARNING ON THE DISPLAY THAT THERE IS A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DEFECT WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE IN DIFFERENT YEARS/MODELS. MY YEAR IS NOT COVERED FOR THE CURRENT RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND LIKELY THE SAME MAT AND/OR SEATS. EXAMPLE RECALLS: 17V-428 13V-564 17V-605
Air bags, Jan 4, 2018, crash
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS CAME ON, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP, I HIT A GARBAGE CAN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED
Air bags, Dec 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL IN LATE SEPTEMBER I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A ROUGHLY 3 WEEK WAIT FOR PARTS. CALLED AGAIN THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 4-6 WEEK WAIT. I'M STILL GETTING THE RUN AROUND BY BMW OF DALLAS AND BELIEVE THEY MAY BE ONLY HELPING SELECT PEOPLE.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2017
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN, 1305 GRAY ST, HOUSTON, TX 77002) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-831-1117 AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER TRANSFERRED THE CALL TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM THE DEALER. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2017
2009 BMW 335I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. UPDATED 12/7/2017*JS
Air bags, Nov 28, 2017
NEED REPLACE
Air bags, Seats, Nov 26, 2017
FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR IS DEFECTIVE BECAUSE IT DISABLES PASSENGER AIRBAG CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE FOR PASSENGER OCCUPANCY. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT EXPERIENCED BY PREVIOUS MODELS. COST OF REPAIR IS EXCESSIVE..
Fuel system, Gasoline, Air bags, Engine, Nov 16, 2017
I WENT TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP (TO HAVE THE SEVERAL RECALL PERFORMED ON MY CAR LASTWEEK 1. RECALL ID 263858 2. RECALL ID 190318 3. RECALL ID 190319 4. RECALL ID 190320 5. RECALL ID 174817 THE SERVICE GUY (HTTPS://WWW.STEVENSCREEKBMW.COM) TOLD ME THAT THEY CANT HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE MY CAR HAS A REBUILT/SALVAGE TITLE MY CALL VIN NUMBER [XXX] CAR BMW 335I 2009 BASE ON MY UNDERSTANDING RECALLS ARE A SAFETY ISSUE AND BY LAW HAVE TO BE COMPLETED ON THE CAR NO MATTER THE BRANDING ON TITLE. PLEASES LET ME KNOW THE WAY TO GET THE RECALL PROCESS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 6, 2017
NHTSA #17V-683 NHTSA #17V-676 NO REMEDY AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Nov 4, 2017
TAKATA RECALL MY BMW DEALER/SERVICE CENTER IN MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA STATES THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE E92 AIRBAGS TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE AIRBAG. THEY TELL ME IT WILL TAKE MONTHS TO GET A NEW AIRBAG. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO CONTACT BMW ABOUT THIS MATTER AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAKE THIS A TOP PRIORITY. I'VE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART LONG ENOUGH, AND BMW HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ACT SWIFTLY TO REASSURE OWNERS THAT THEY ARE ON TOP OF THIS. I WOULD ULTIMATELY LIKE MY DEALER TO CONTACT ME WITH THE PART ASAP AND HAVE THIS REPAIR COMPLETED.