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: engine
105 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 13, 2010
10/8/2010 - WHILE TRAVELING ON ALLIGATOR ALLEY IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA, 2009 BMW 335I EXPERIENCED A SEVERE LOSS OF POWER WITH ENGINE LAMP TURNING ON. LOSS OF POWER WORSENED FOR THE NEXT SEVENTY FIVE MILES UNTIL THE CAR COULD NOT GO OVER FORTY MILES PER HOUR AND HAD INSUFFICIENT TORQUE TO GO UP ANY INCLINED HIGHWAY OFF RAMPS. TOOK CAR BACK TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED LOSS OF POWER WAS DUE TO FAILURE OF HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PUMP WOULD BE REPLACED AND ENGINE SOFTWARE UPDATED. CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 10,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335XI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE CONTACT HAD TO DRIVE AT A LOW SPEED TO REACH HIS DESTINATION. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED; AFTER THE RESTART, THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. WITHIN TWO TO THREE DAYS, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURBO HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THERE HAD BEEN NO FURTHER REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,681 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. UPDATED 01/28/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 03/23/11
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 19, 2010
MY BMW TURNED OFF ON THE HIGHWAY. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STOPPED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 14, 2010
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I AM THE OWNER OF A 2009 BMW 335I PURCHASED AUGUST 2009. ON APRIL 6, 2010, I STARTED THE ENGINE IN THE MORNING AND WAS GREETED WITH LONG CRANKS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON WITH AN ERROR MESSAGE OF ENGINE FAILURE, REDUCED POWER. THE CAR HAS BEEN FINE BEFORE THIS MORNING AT 7,200 MILES APPROX. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IT IN. THE CAR WAS STILL DRIVABLE. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR STALLED AND COMPLETELY LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON THE INSIDE STREET CAUSING ME TO HAVE TO QUICKLY PUT THE GEAR IN P AND RESTART THE CAR. I INFORMED THE DEALER ABOUT THE STALL AND ENGINE FAILURE BUT WAS MET WITH NO REGARDS. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT IS A HIGH PERFORMANCE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE AS I DO NOT WANT TO BE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAVE THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALL AND SHUT DOWN AGAIN. [XXX] *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 9, 2010
VEHICLE LOST POWER, ENGINE LITE CAME ON. TOOK FOR REPAIR, WAS TOLD SINCE IT WASN'T DOING IT @ TIME I BROUGHT IT IN BMW WOULDN'T REPAIR. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER> SAME THING HAPPENED BUT IT DIED THIS TIME & LEFT ME STRANDED. MY NEW CAR NOW HAS 7,000 MILES AND I DON'T TRUST IT! CALLING THEM TO COME GET IT TODAY. *TR