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, Sep 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Sep 1, 2016
2009 BMW 328IC. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NO FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION FROM DEALERSHIP ON DEFECTIVE DRIVER FRONT AIRBAG MODULE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD
Air bags, Aug 30, 2016
TAKATA AIRBAGS BMW HAS NOT SENT A SECOND LETTER SINCE MARCH ON THE REPAIR OF THE RECALL. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE CONSIDERING HONDA GAVE THEIR CUSTOMERS LOANER VEHICLES UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSIP AND THEY JUST BASICALLY SAID THEY CANT DO ANYTHING UNTIL I RECEIVE THE SECOND LETTER. I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD AND I FEAR FOR OUR SAFETY DAILY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THE TIME FRAME WHEN SUCH A RECALL COULD POTENTIALLY KILL US. THAT WAS MARCH. IT IS ALMOST SEPTEMBER.
Air bags, Aug 29, 2016
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 RECALL REPAIR WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 25, 2016
TAKATA RECALL I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE AIRBAG RECALL ON MY CAR AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO GET A RENTAL CAR. I WAS FIRST DENIED THIS REQUEST UNTIL I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP TO APPROVE THE RENTAL. IT HAS BEEN MONTHS AND THE DEALERSHIP CALLED AND SAID THEY HAD MY REPLACEMENT AIRBAG SO UPON DROPPING THE CAR OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP I ASKED IF THIS WAS THE NEWLY DESIGNED AIRBAG AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE SAME DEFECTIVE DESIGN BUT WAS SAFE BECAUSE THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY "RESETTING THE CLOCK." SO INSTEAD OF CORRECTING THE DEFECT, I SIMPLY GOT A NEWER DEFECTIVE 'SAFETY DEVICE' PUT IN MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE TO REPLACED AGAIN. I CALLED BMW CUSTOMER SERVICE AGAIN TO INQUIRE ABOUT A VEHICLE BUY BACK WHICH THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO BY LAW IF THEY CANNOT CORRECT A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THAT BASED ON THE AGE OF MY VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT BUY IT BACK. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS IS LEGAL AND WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED. IF A MANUFACTURER IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPAIR MY CAR AND CANNOT DO SO, THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO REFUND MY PURCHASE PRICE OR SWAP IT OUT FOR A COMPARABLE VEHICLE. THE FACT THAT BMW IS NOT DOING SO IS ILLEGAL AND THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
Air bags, Aug 15, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Aug 10, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/23/16*LJ
Air bags, Jul 21, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 09/27/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 09/28/16.*JB
Air bags, Jun 20, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jun 13, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ
Air bags, Jun 8, 2016
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 NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, May 23, 2016
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Apr 8, 2016
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO REGARDING THE AIR BAG RECALL. HOWEVER, BMW IS NOT PROVIDING A FIRM SOLUTION OR DATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. I EMAILED BMW TO PROVIDE A TIMELINE FOR THE REPAIR AND TO SEEK ADVICE IF THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE PARKED UNTIL THE AIR BAGS ARE FIXED. TO DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSES FROM BMW. IT APPEARS THAT AND BMW IS NOT TAKEN THE MATTER SERIOUSLY AND I HOPE THAT IT'S NOT THE CASE WITH NHTSA. THE RECENT EVENT OF ANOTHER DEATH IN TX AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG SHOULD CAUSE THIS AGENCY TO BE MORE VIGILANT IN REQUIRING BMW TO IMMEDIATELY FIX THE PROBLEM OR PROVIDE A SOLUTION IN THE MEANTIME. I WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO REQUIRE BMW TO REMOVE THE AIR BAGS IMMEDIATELY UNTIL REPLACEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE, OR PROVIDE A FREE LOANER WHILE I STORE MY CAR UNTIL THE AIR BAGS ARE FIXED. AS FAR AS I AM AWARE, AMERICAN HONDA IS ON TOP OF THE AIR BAG ISSUE WHILE BMW IS NONCHALANTLY SITTING AROUND WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS AIR BAG ISSUE COUPLED WITH BMW'S BLATANT DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CARS' OWNER SHOULD BE A CONCERN TO AND A TOP PRIORITY FOR THIS AGENCY.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 9, 2016
COUPE OF TIME THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AS THE RESULT SRS & AIRBAG LIGHT NOW STAY ON.
Air bags, Oct 16, 2015
PASSENGER AIRBAG AND SEATBELT LIGHT CAME ON. IT STILL ON WHETHER THERE IS SOMEONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Sep 18, 2015
I TURNED ON MY VEHICLE ONE DAY AND A MESSAGE SAYING "PASSENGER RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. CONTINUE TO WEAR SEATBELT. BRING TO LOCAL BMW DEALERSHIP." THE DAY BEFORE NOTHING HAPPEN AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DALLAS TO HOUSTON. OCCASIONALLY AS I DRIVE WITH SOMEONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE WARNING GOES AWAY BUT THEN THE CHIME GOES OFF AND THE MESSAGE REAPPEARS. THIS HAPPEN ALL IN JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST. NOW EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, THE WARNING COMES ON AND STAYS ON. THE SEATBELT AS WELL SEEMS TO HAVE NO RESTRAINT AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF I WAS EVER IN AN ACCIDENT, THE SEATBELT WON'T HOLD THE PASSENGER BACK.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 28, 2015
THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT WAS NOT USED. THIS OCCURRED EVEN WHEN PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THIS IS UNSAFE... THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED. BMW NEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Jul 8, 2015
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THIS IS UNSAFE WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED THE LIKE INDICATES THE AIRBAG IS OFF. BMW NEED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, May 22, 2015
THE CAR WAS STORED OUTSIDE IN EXTREME HEAT DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL - 90+ DEGREES FOR OVER 3 WEEKS. (IN FLORIDA) AIR BAG SENSOR AND SEAT BELT SENSOR ON PASSENGER SIDE, INCORRECTLY ALERTING, WHEN SOMEONE OR NO ONE WAS IN THE SEAT. NOW THE SENSOR IS ON ALL THE TIME. ALSO THE FAN WHICH COOLS THE ENGINE WAS EXTREMELY LOUD AND ON EVERY MORNING WHEN CAR WAS STARTED.
Air bags, Apr 23, 2015
THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT PROTECTION SENSOR MAT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TO BE DEACTIVATED. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH BMW...RECALLS WERE ISSUES FOR PREVIOUS YEARS (2006-2007) BUT DID NOT COVER 2009. INFORMATION AVAILABLE INDICATES THIS IS STILL AN ISSUE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY PREVIOUS RECALL/REPLACEMENT INITIATIVES. *TR
Air bags, Jan 21, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS OFF. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 5, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SENSOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATING THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED STATED THAT THE SEATBELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH FRONT SEAT MAT SENSORS AND SEAT BELTS WERE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,500.
Air bags, Oct 21, 2014, crash
NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN OUR CAR ACCIDENT. WE WERE AT A STAND STILL, OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY AND ANOTHER CAR HIT US IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PANEL NEAR THE TIRE, AT HIGH IMPACT. *TR
Suspension, Air bags, Wheels, May 31, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 26MPH, I HEARD AND FELT TWO LOUD CRACKS ON MY LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. IMMEDIATELY AFTER, MY CAR SLOUCHED ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY AND BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS KNOCKED OUT FOR A WHILE AND WHEN THE AUTHORITIES ARRIVED, WE INVESTIGATED THE AREA AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS NO COLLISION WITH ANYTHING OR ANYONE, OTHER THAN BOTH OF MY TWO LEFT-SIDE RIMS WERE CRACKED RADIALLY AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION. IN ADDITION, THE AUTHORITIES CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO POTHOLES, OBSTACLES, OR ANY OTHER OBJECT THAT COULD HAVE PRODUCED THE INCIDENT. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 26 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WERE BLINKING AND THE BRAKES SEIZED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS THEN INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.