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: electrical system
101 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Electrical system, Oct 24, 2017
TAKATA RECALL AIR BAGS NEED TO BE SERVICED 1000 DOLLARS TO SERVICE
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 23, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I ACCELERATE AND WITHOUT WARNING, DASHBOARD LIGHTS UP WITH "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND VARIOUS OTHER LIGHTS, POWER STEERING GOES OUT, AND I HAVE TO MANEUVER CAR ACROSS LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO A SAFE SHOULDER. I TURN ON HAZARDS, REMOVE KEY AND WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES. THE CAR TURNS OVER BUT DOESN'T START. I WAIT LONGER, TURN OFF HAZARDS, RE-INSERT KEY AND CAR STARTS UP. I AM ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING, BUT AVOID HARD THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENED 2 MONTHS AGO, AND I TOOK IT TO A LICENSED MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT. THE CAR THEN HAD VACUUM LEAK FOLLOWED BY A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF VALVE COVER. THE ISSUE I EXPERIENCED ON THE INTERSTATE WAS IDENTICAL TO WHAT OCCURRED BEFORE THOSE REPAIRS WERE DONE AND BEARS A STRIKING RESEMBLANCE TO ISSUES DESCRIBED IN THE 2013 BATTERY CABLE RECALL, YET MY VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 5, 2017, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE A COMPLAINT FILED REGARDING AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE I HAD WITH MY VEHICLE WHICH RESULTED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH (NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10781956. MY CAR WAS EQUIPPED WITH TAKATA AIRBAGS, 4 OF 6 AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAG FROM THE DRIVER SIDE CAUSED INJURIES TO MY FACE AND ARM. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM BMW 4 MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT RESULTED IN THE NEED FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY DUE TO THE INJURIES TO MY ARM AND SHOULDER FROM THE IMPACT OF THE AIRBAG, WHICH ALSO CUT MY FOREARM. THE STEERING WHEEL ON MY VEHICLE FROZE WHILE DRIVING AND IN MY ATTEMPT TO GET THE WHEEL TO TURN, MY BRAKES ALSO FAILED. I HAD BOTH ARMS COVERING THE WHEEL TO TRY AND GET IT TO BUDGE. THE ONLY WAY MY VEHICLE STOPPED WAS BECAUSE I CRASHED INTO A CAR WAITING AT THE OPPOSITE LIGHT. BOTH ARMS WERE COVERING THE AIRBAG AT THE TIME IT DEPLOYED.
Electrical system, Dec 1, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START WHEN PROMPTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 10, 2016
RECALL 13V044000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAR IS STILL AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL AND UNSAFE FOR DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOSING POWER, STALLING, JERKING, SENSORS FAULTY, RECALL16V071000 AIRBAGS UNSAFE HAZZARD MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE LIGHTS AND SENSORS STARTED TO GO, THE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY, HE MANAGED TO GET INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETLY STALLED. HE HAD NO LIGHT INCLUDING HAZARDS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. HE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY ON THE INTERSTATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, OR REFUNDED BY BMW IMMEDIATELY. MY SON IS 23 YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FEAR FOR HIS LIFE WHENEVER HE DRIVES HIS VEHICLE. BMW CLAIMS THE RECALL WORK WAS DONE, BUT THIS VEHICLE IS OBVIOUSLY NOT REPAIRED AS FAR AS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE CITY STREETS. I WAS STALLED AT THE STOP LIGHT AND HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ABANDONED. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND LOSES POWER EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN NOW.
Electrical system, Nov 3, 2016
ELECTRICAL DAFETY, BATTERY WIRE PULLS LOOSE FROM FUSE BOX, CAUSING CAR TO SHUT DOWN, EVEN WHILE IN MOTION, THEREFORE LOSING BRAKES AND STEERING. THAS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY CAR ON THE INTERSTATE IN TRAFFIC. I NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH AND PEAKE BMW IN KENER, LA REFUSES TO TOW THE CAR, FIX IT IN A TIMELY MANNER, OR OFFER A RENTAL OR LOANER AT NO COST.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 6, 2016
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM GULF SHORES ALABAMA MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE POWER WENT OFF ON THE RADIO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND AN SOS BUTTON CAME ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND IT WAS TORRENTIAL RAINS AND TOTAL DARKNESS ON INTERSTATE 75. WHEN I COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET OVER TO THE BRIM I GOOGLED THE CODES THAT WERE FLASHING AND WAS GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND VISIBILITY ( WITH THE RAIN ) WAS IMPOSSIBLE. SEVERAL VARIOUS CODES CONTINUED TO POP UP AND THIS HAPPENED UNTIL WE ARRIVD AT OUR DESTINATION. IT WAS IF THE WHOLE COMPUTER BOARD HAD GONE HAYWIRE .EVERY CODE IMAGINABLE CAME ON AND WE HAD TO STOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET THE CAR GOING. SINCE THEN MY BMW WILL NOT START UNLESS THE BATTERY IS CHARGED. IT SAYS BATTERY DISCHARGING OR BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SO I HAVE TO KEEP BATTERY CABLES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. SO LAST NIGHT I'M HAVING THE AIRBAG CODE COME ON WHICH I DO HAVE A RECALL ON THAT, AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE VARIOUS CODES INVOLVED WHICH I WILL ATTACH.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Feb 20, 2016
NOTICED A VERY SLIGHT TAPPING WHEN THE CAR WAS FIRST CRANKED--BUT NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A FEW MILES, A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING "CHARGING MALFUNCTION" FLASHED ON, AND THE BATTERY SYMBOL APPEARED. BECAUSE I WAS THE PASSENGER, I GOOGLED "BMW 328I CHARGING MALFUNCTION" AND THE FIRST RESULT THAT CAME UP READ "BMW/ JANUARY 2013/ RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 12V-550: ENGINE BELT IDLER PULLEY BOLT" FOR MYS 2009-2012 BMW X5 XDRIVE 35S SAVS. BEFORE I COULD INFORM DRIVER, HE COMPLAINED THAT HE HAD LOST POWER STEERING. AS WE WERE LITERALLY YARDS FROM OUR DESTINATION, WE PARKED, AND RETURNED TO THE CAR TWO HOURS LATER. WHEN WE RECRANKED THE CAR, SAME WARNINGS. WE DECIDED TO DRIVE TO LOCAL BMW SERVICE STATION. AT A STOP LIGHT A FEW MILES FURTHER, MANY WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURNED ON, BUT THE PANEL SAID IT WAS STILL DRIVABLE AND NEEDED SERVICE SOON. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED, THE PANEL WENT OFF, AND THE CAR WAS STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR ROAD. PUSHED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO FIND THE BOLT BROKEN AND THE PULLEY AND BELT LOOSE. UPON HAVING IT TOWED TO BMW REPAIR, WE WERE TOLD THE A/C COMPRESSOR W/CLUTCH, BELT TENSIONER AND BELT, AND OIL FILTER HOUSING GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $5090. (CAR HAD BEEN GIVEN A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH DURING LAST OIL CHANGE, AND THE A/C WAS WORKING WELL EARLIER THAT MORNING.) WONDERING WHY THE EBIP BOLT WAS RECALLED IN SO MANY OTHER BMW MODELS THAT YEAR BUT NOT IN OURS. INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THEIR RECALL NOTIFICATION EXACTLY MATCHED THE DESCRIPTION OF OUR PROBLEM.
Steering, Electrical system, Jan 23, 2016
HE TENIDO VARIOS PROBLEMAS CON EL CARRO, CORRIENDO AL VOLTEAR SE ME APAGO DOS VECES Y FUE MUY PELIGROSO PORQUE LOS CARROS QUE IBAN ATRAS CASI ME PEGAN Y CLARO SE MOLESTARON MUCHO AL SACAR LA VUELTA RAPIDO PARA NO GOLPEAR MI CARRO, LO LLEVE AL MECANICO Y TARDO MUCHO PARA HALLAR EL PROBLEMA, LA FLECHA DERECHA (BLINKING LIGHT) ESTA QUEBRADA LO HACE MUY RAPIDO Y AL CHECAR ME DIJERON QUE SE TIENE QUE REPARAR TODO INCLUIDO EL FOCO DE ATRAS, PROBLEMA CON LOS CABLES DE BATERIA ESO SI ME LO ARREGLARON GRATIS PORQUE TIENE RECALL, PERO LUEGO LA BATERIA EMPEZO A FALLAR Y HUBO QUE CAMBIARLA, EL VOLANTE ESTA MUY DURO Y AL VOLTEAR TENGO QUE HACERLO CON MUCHO CUIDADO PARA NO PEGARLE AL DEL OTRO CARRIL, EL MECANICO NO HA PODIDO COMPONER ESE PROBLEMA, A VECES SE HACELERA SOLO CUANDO ESTOY HACIENDO UN ALTO Y NO SE NI PORQUE LO HACE, Y TAMPOCO SE CUANDO VA A PASAR.
Electrical system, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 15, 2016
WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, TO PROCEED UP THE STREET LEAVING WORK, SEVERAL MALFUNCTION LIGHTS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH AND THAN MY CAR SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY; NO INSIDE NOR OUTSIDE LIGHTS (IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE), NO DINGS OR ANYTHING. I THOUGHT MAYBE I NEEDED A JUMP. CALLED A CO-WORKER BEFORE HE LEFT WORK, WHOM ALSO HAS A BMW. HE SAID IT WAS NOT A JUMP I NEEDED AND PROCEEDED TO GO IN THE TRUNK TO LOCATE MY BATTERY. AS SOON AS HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE PLASTIC SCREWS AND WIGGLE THE PANEL, TRYING TO GET IT FROM UNDER THE WALL PANELS THAT WAS HOLDING IT IN PLACE, ALL MY LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. HOWEVER, A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION LIGHT REMAINED ON THE DASH. THANK GOD I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, NO CARS AROUND ME NOR HAD I MADE IT TO THE HWY TO HEAD HOME, SOME 30 MINUTE RIDE. I DON'T WANT TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED! THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION IS SAID TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIRBAG. I FEEL I AM DRIVING IN A VERY UNSAFE HIGH COSTING VEHICLE, AND EITHER WAY, I, MY PASSENGER OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD SERIOUSLY GET HURT WITH THIS CAR ON THE ROAD WITH THESE ISSUES.
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.
Electrical system, Nov 4, 2015
CAR EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. ALL SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN (LIGHTS, IGNITION, LOCKS, DASHBOARD, GAUGES, RADIO). CAR COULD NOT BE OPERATED. LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE USING DASH MOUNTED BUTTON, DOOR PULLS OR KEY FOB. DRIVERS DOOR COULD ONLY BE OPENED FROM OUTSIDE USING VALET KEY. EMERGENCY LIGHTS INOPERABLE. PROBLEM OCCURRED 10/29, STARTED 2 HOURS LATER. FAILED AGAIN 10/30 AT 5PM. RESTARTED ON 10/31. DEALER UNABLE TO DUPLICATE. CAR STARTED 11/3 AND FAILED 11/3. BATTERY CHECKED--FINE. IBS CHECKED--FINE. (THIS CAR IS NOT CURRENTLY LISTED AS PART OF THE ONGOING BMW BATTERY CABLE RECALLS, BUT SEEMS TO EXHIBIT EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS).
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 23, 2015
BATTERY AND STARTER ALL CHECKED OUT. BUT BREAK PEDAL STIFFENS UP AND CAR WILL NOT START. I HAVE READ ON INTERNET AND WATCHED A FEW VIDEOS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO SUFFER AND PAY FOR BMWS PROBLEMS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 2, 2015, fire
ON 8/21/2015, I WAS DRIVING MY 2009 BMW 335D TO WORK WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STARTED SPEWING SMOKE ON JEFFERSON AVE. I PULLED OVER NEAR MY WORK AND SAW SMOKE SEEPING IN FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I EXITED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE. I RAN INSIDE MY WORKPLACE AND GRABBED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND CAUTIOUSLY RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER FILING A CLAIM WITH STATE FARM, THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER AND PLAZA MOTOR COMPANY BMW CAME TO THE DETERMINATION THAT THE CAR'S WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED AND THAT THEY'RE GOING TO REPLACE IT. BUT THAT'S NOT MY ISSUE. I'M CONCERNED WITH HOW THE FIRE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE. PLAZA MOTORS NOR STATE FARM CAN TELL ME WHY OR HOW IT HAPPENED BUT THEY ARE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART AND HAVE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN WITHOUT ANY ASSURANCES THAT THIS WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN. I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD EXITED THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND I WAS ALSO FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAD BEEN CLOSE TO A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I FEEL LIKE MY CLAIM IS BEING HANDLED IN A VERY LEISURELY, RUN-OF-THE-MILL MANNER AKIN TO CHANGING A FLAT TIRE OR A DENTED BUMPER. BUT A CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE IS ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL. PLAZA MOTORS AND STATE FARM'S CASUAL NATURE IS DISCONCERTING TO SAY THE LEAST. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL LIKE BMW IS TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR CATCH SPONTANEOUSLY CATCHING FIRE. ALSO, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE, I HAD A DIAGNOSTICS TEST CONDUCTED ON MY CAR BY AUTOHAUS BMW IN ST. LOUIS, MO AND THE TWO MINOR ISSUES WERE UNRELATED TO THE ELECTRICAL FIRE.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Dec 22, 2014
UPON RETURNING TO SEATTLE, WA, SINCE I FLEW DOWN TO BERKLEY, CA TO PURCHASE MY VEHICLE, I NOTICED EXCESSIVE HEADLAMP SHAKE WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS ON THE HIGHWAY, ESPECIALLY EXPANSION JOINTS. BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLAMPS SHAKE EQUALLY AS BAD, AND I CONSIDER THAT A SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND SEARCHING MANY ONLINE FORUMS, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH THE ADAPTIVE HEADLAMP BRACKET ARMS BEING BROKEN. CPO WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER HEADLAMPS ACCORDING TO BMW, AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR BOTH REPLACEMENTS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 9, 2014
ON MY 2009 BMW 328I THE REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL BEGAN BLINKING FAST AND AN ERROR CODE CAME ON SAYING I NEEDED TO REPLACE REAR TURN SIGNAL, I RESEARCHED IT TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS GETTING CORROSION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. THEY STATED THEY KNEW THE SERVICE BULLETINS WERE OUT BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL. AFTER FURTHER SEARCHING I FOUND OUT THE OLDER MODELS HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IF THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE THEN WHY DON'T THEY FIX IT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 3, 2014
ON MY WIFE'S 2009 BMW 328I THE REAR RIGHT TURN SIGNAL QUIT WORKING, I RESEARCHED IT TO FIND OUT THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEVERAL SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ABOUT THE REAR TURN SIGNALS GETTING CORROSION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY TO FIX IT. THEY STATED THEY KNEW THE SERVICE BULLETINS WERE OUT BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL. AFTER FURTHER SEARCHING I FOUND OUT THE OLDER MODELS HAD A RECALL TO FIX THIS ISSUE. IF THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE THEN WHY DON'T THEY FIX IT. *TR
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 9, 2014
PURCHASED THE CAR USED APPX 4 MONTHS AGO WITH JUST UNDER 25K MILES. LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC APPX 45 - 50 MPH THE CAR STARTED TO SKIP AND LOSE FORWARD POWER. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK THE CAR JUST LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER AS WELL. I COULD HEAR RELAYS CLICKING BUT NOTHING WORKED. AT THE SHOP (NON-BMW) TO BE EVALUATED I HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW BATTERY (THIS REPLACED THE ORIGINAL). FINAL EVALUATION WAS THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH I HAVE NOW PAID FOR OUT OF POCKET. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE IS SOME ELECTRICAL ISSUE LURKING AS WELL, BUT SO FAR THE CAR IS DRIVING WELL. SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR USED I WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS BUT NOW I HAVE SEARCHED BY VIN AND FOUND THE RECALL ON THE BATTERY CABLE AND HAVE THAT SCHEDULED. 29,520 MILES IS TOO SOON TO NEED A FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT! *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 26, 2014
I TOOK MY CAR INTO EASTBAY BMW FOR A LIGHTBULB CHANGE (A TAIL/BRAKELIGHT) AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE HOUSING OF THE TAILLIGHT IS MELTING ON BOTH SIDES, NOT JUST THE ONE THAT NEEDED A LIGHT BULB CHANGE. HE MENTIONED IT WAS PART OF A RECALL AND THEN THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, THAT MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. BMW HAS STATED THAT IT PROBABLY ISN'T THE LIGHT BULB AND THAT EVEN THOUGH THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT I HAVE CAUSED, THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. THEY AGREED THAT THIS IS A FAULTY PART, BUT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. BMW OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE REPAIRS WHICH MY RESPONSIBILITY IS $475, WHICH SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE ADMITTING SOME FAULT IN THE MATTER. I HAVE CALLED BMW CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THE REPRESENTATIVE [XXX] SAID SHE ISN'T WILLING TO ESCALATE THE ISSUE BECAUSE SHE KNOWS IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE. IN ADDITION, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE WERE OVER 241,000 BMW'S RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON THAT THE CARS WERE OLDER THAN MINE AND OUT OF WARRANTY. SINCE THIS IS OCCURRING ON BOTH SIDES AND NOT JUST ONE, IT SEEMS THAT PART, THE ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE IS PRODUCING TOO MUCH HEAT ON BOTH SIDES AND THEREFORE MELTING THE TAILLIGHT WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED PART OF ANOTHER RECALL & THEREFORE FIXED AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 31, 2013, fire
TL* I WAS DRIVING ON WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE THE CABIN, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY AVOIDED IF THE SONNEN BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD PERFORMED THEIR JOB MORE DILIGENTLY. A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRE, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING RUBBER ODOR WHEN I TURNED ON MY HEATER/DEFROSTER. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO SONNEN BMW. THE SERVICE ADVISOR RESPONDED THAT IT WAS NOT BMW'S PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO BMW FOR SERVICE. I ALSO MENTIONED REPEATEDLY THAT I SMELLED BURNING RUBBER WHENEVER I TURNED ON THE HEATER/DEFROSTER. BMW KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK. APPARENTLY, BECAUSE I MENTIONED THE HEATER, BMW GOT FIXATED ON LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE HEATING DUCTS AND NEVER THOUGHT TO CHECK THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE ODOR WAS A LEAF THAT HAD GOTTEN SUCKED INTO THE BLOWER ASSEMBLY. THEY CHARGED ME $320 TO OPEN THE ASSEMBLY AND CLEAN OUT THE LEAVES. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR I INSISTED TO SPEAKING WITH ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS, AS THIS MADE NO SENSE TO ME. I POINTED OUT THAT BURNING LEAVES DO NOT SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER, AND I DOUBTED THIS WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER INSISTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT, AFTER CLEANING OUT THE BLOWER ASSEMBLY, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT IS APPARENT TO ME THAT BMW NEVER ONCE TURNED ON THE DEFROSTER DURING THE WHOLE TIME THEY HAD THE CAR'EVEN THOUGH I INDICATED THAT THIS WAS PART OF THE ISSUE. IF THEY HAD, THEY WOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY REPLICATED THE ISSUE AND KNOWN THAT IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH LEAVES IN THE BLOWER. RATHER THEN APOLOGIZING, THE ASSISTANT MANAGER IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO SHIFT THE BLAME BE STATING THAT WE TOLD THEM THE ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE HEATING DUCTS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 22, 2013
2009 BMW 328I, THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AT TIMES BLINKS RAPIDLY AND A WARNING OF LIGHT PROBLEM ILLUMINATES. THE DIRECTIONAL BLINKS FAST AND LIGHT IS DULL ON EXTERIOR TAIL AND FRONT LAMPS. AT TIMES WORKS NORMALLY AND THEN BEGINS TO BLINK RAPIDLY WITH A BELL WARNING AND ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT SIGN DISPLAYS. THIS PROBLEM HAS KNOWN TO BMW AS THE SERVICE DEALERS RECEIVED A BULLETIN. WILL NOT COVER IF OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ENUMERATED BY MANY CUSTOMERS. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 16, 2013
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328 CONV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE A/C HEATER BLOWER AND FUSES BOX WERE BURNING CAUSING IT TO MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT RESULT, THE A/C HEATER BLOWER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. PM
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Sep 16, 2013
I HAVE A 2009 BMW328XI, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR. I ONLY HAVE 59,000 MILES. ON AUGUST 3, 2013 THE CAR TEMPERATURE LIGHT WENT ON, FIRST YELLOW AND NOT EVEN TWO SECONDS LATER RED. WITH OUT WARNING THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. SO I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. THINKING THE CAR IS OVER HEATING. INSTEAD, AFTER GETTING IT TOWED FOUND OUT THE WATER PUMP AND ELECTRIC THERMOSTAT WENT. I AM VERY UNHAPPY THAT A 4 AND HALF YEAR OLD CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD MANY HIGH END CARS IN THE PAST FOR 11 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM IN SUCH A SHORT LIFE OF A CAR. *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.
Electrical system, Nov 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE CONTACT COULD NOT TURN THE UNIT OFF MANUALLY. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO WOULD ACTIVATE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE CONTROL DEVICE. THE TRUNK LID OPENED INDEPENDENTLY ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN DRIVING AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER EIGHT TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MOST RECENTLY, THE COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM WAS UPDATED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.