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: fuel/propulsion system
42 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 23, 2025
Car running lean oil leak getting hot,loss of power,jolting forward also my car has been in dealership shop for 2 years I'm being charged for services I know weren't done,overcharged,and my car still isn't fixed also the service manager told me he was aware of the recalls,when I told him to this was 4 days ago,however my car is being withheld from me,recalls have been known if it's been two yrs,they filed a lien June of last year I opposed it and they never responded back! My car still sits there causing injury to my livilyhood I've missed almost 1year of work I live in the Sierra's where it snows I can't get to work with no car!
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 28, 2022
Car doesn’t hold a battery Wants to start 2% of the time Engine shook the pulley off so have troubles steering It’s under recall for a few things I would love a new car from bmw because this one is a nightmare the bmw tech advised me not to drive it so have been carless all year pretty much
Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 16, 2021
Multiple misfiring due to faulty injectors. Bmw has revised the part 12 times. This is a very common and known problem in the EU where a recall was issued.
Air bags, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 25, 2020
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE ACCELERATION. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE UP AN INCLINE. THEN I HEARD A RATTLING. THE NEXT EXIT WAS A REST STOP AND AS I WAS EXITING MY VEHICLE FAILED AND SHUT DOWN. I HAD NO POWER AT ALL. I COASTED TO A PARKING STALL AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER PARKING IT SAFELY. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HOT OR SMOKING SO I TRIED TO START IT. THE CAR STARTED BUT WITH A VERY LOUD KNOCKING AND RATTLING SO I SHUT IT OFF AGAIN AND PHONED THE DEALERSHIP. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 30 DAYS AGO AND HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY THEM NOT 1X. I HAVE CALLED WEEKLY TO NO AVAIL.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 17, 2020
FUEL PUMP LEAKING GASOLINE LEAVING A STRONG ODOR IN THE CAR AND FOOTWELL MODULE IS BAD
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 11, 2019
I AM TRYING TO REVIEW IF MY CAR IS ELIGIBLE FOR A RECALL EVALUATION.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 31, 2019
WE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, MY HUSBAND HAD HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SURGED UP A CURB, HIT A SIGN AND THEN HIT A LAMP POST AND THE CAR WENT UP THE CEMENT BLOCK. I DON'T REMEMBER MUCH MORE, BUT THER INSURANCE TOTALED THE CAR AND I SUFFERED FROM BRAIN TRAUMA AND 3 BACK DISKS.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 17, 2019
4 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY MECHANIC CHANGED FUEL PUMP , COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THAT IT HAPPENS AGAIN I TOOK IT BACK AND THE MECHANIC SAID EVERYTHING IS OK , I WENT HOME AND TODAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AGAIN, I WAS SO SCARED I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 24, 2018
MY CAR HAS BEEN HAVING SERIOUS ISSUES. OVER HEATING, SMOKING UNCONTROLLABLY,UNABLE TO USE AIR/ HEAT CONDITIONING DUE TO TOXIC SMOKE COMING THROUGH VENT. LIGHTS SIGNAL, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND BRAKE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I FEAR FOR MY LIFE AND HAVE BEEN CAR PULLING DUE TO MY CAR ISSUES. I FEEL AS THOUGH, MY CAR IS AT RISK OF CATCHING ON FIRE. THE CAR HAS EVEN SHUT OFF 5 TIMES DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE SMOKE. IN WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT I WOULD ONLY NEED TO PRESSURE WASH THE ENGINE AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER BY THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE WASTED SEVERAL DOLLARS DUE TO THIS MATTER WITH MY CAR. ITS PAINS ME DEEPLY THAT I'M HAVING THESE ISSUES WITH MY CAR. I HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO GET IT. I'M AT A LOSS FOR WORDS WITH THIS MATTER.
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 30, 2018
I TOOK MY CAR TO A BMW DEALERSHIP IN CANNONSBURG, PA. HAD NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER DROPPING IT OFF. I HAD DRIVEN 3 HOURS TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL. BY THE END OF THE DAY I RECEIVED A CALL TELLING ME MY CAR WAS OVER HEATING AND NOT DRIVABLE. HOW IS THAT MY RESPONSIBILITY? WHEN OBVIOUSLY I DROVE IT A LONG DISTANCE TO GET 3 RECALLS TAKEN CARE OF. I WAS TOLD THE WATER PUMP, I THINK WAS NOT WORKING? IT WAS WORKING WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF? IF IT WAS OVERHEATING I COULD HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT. PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE OUT OUR TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I NEED MY CAR AND I'M REGRETTING TAKING IT IN FOR A RECALL NOW.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2018
WHILE DRIVING IN THE PASSING LANE ON US 101 AT A BUSY TIME WITH MANY TRUCKS APPROACHING THE CUESTA GRADE, MY FUEL PUMP FAILED. IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TRYING TO DRIFT A DEAD CAR TO THE SHOULDER WHILE AVOIDING COLLISIONS. SIX (6) MONTHS LATER, THE FUEL PUMP CONTROLLER FAILED UNDER ALMOST IDENTICAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS AT A SPOT ABOUT 10 MILES SOUTH OF THE FIRST FAILURE. THE CONTROLLER FAILURE YIELDS THE SAME RESULTS AS THE PUMP FAILURE. MEANING, THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED AND I HAD TO DRIFT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALMOST WAS HIT BY SEMIS IN BOTH CASES.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 8, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IVE HAD TO FILE A COMPLAINT. MY CAR KEEPS DYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE I'M DRIVING JUST RANDOMLY. IT GIVES NO WARNING OR ANYTHING I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR IN THE HEAT OR AT NIGHT. I'VE BEEN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP HERE AND IT'S BEEN 6MONTHS AND THEY STILL DON'T HAVE THE RECALL PARTS. IT'S A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE PLEASE CONTACT ME SOON
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 29, 2018
AIRFLOW METER/SENSOR - CAR SPUTTERS AND STRUGGLES WITH AIR INTAKE CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL. I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND MY CAR TURNED OFF. THIS HAPPENED BACK IN 12/2017 - I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE SHOP TO FIX THE PROBLEM ($1300+) AND THE SAME ISSUES ARE HAPPENING AGAIN. JULY 2018 DRIVING 33 MPH AND MY CAR STALLED OUT.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 27, 2018
TAKATA RECALL, WHENEVER I DRIVE MY CAR FOR MORE THAN 30MIN IT OVERHEATS AND COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS LIKE IT RUNS OUT OF GAS AND I CAN'T START THE CAR FOR AT LEAST 20 30 MINUTES. THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED THAT AND 3MONTHS LATER THE PROBLEM COMES BACK AND NOW I CAN'T RUN THE A/C WITHOUT IT SHUTTING OFF RANDOMLY. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN ON VERY BUSY ROADS BLOCKING TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I TOOK MY CAR TO BMW DEALERSHIP AND THE PARTS STILL AREN'T MADE IS WHAT THEY SAID. I WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEASE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 26, 2018
FUEL INJECTORS BEGAN LEAKING AND HAVE BECOME FAULTY CAUSING MIS-FIRING. BMW HAD A SIMILAR RECALL INVOLVING CARS WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE AS MY CAR BUT HAS REFUSED TO CLAIM IT WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 22, 2018
MARCH 28, 2018 - DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, CAR SUDDENLY COMES TO A STOP AND SHOWS MESSAGE FUEL PUMP WITH CAR ON ROCK ICON. CAR GETS TOWED. NEXT DAY MECHANIC SAYS IT RAN OUT OF GAS, ADDED GAS STARTED THE CAR. MARCH 29, 2018 CAR STALLS AFTER 5 MILES NEAR THE RAMP OF EXIT. GET THE CAR TOWED TO ANOTHER MECHANIC. MECHANIC DOES NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. APRIL 14TH, 2018 - CAR STOPS ON THE FREEWAY. TOW IT TO MECHANIC MECHANIC SAYS THAT ITS RELATED TO FUEL TANK SENSOR. THIS CAUSES A WRONG READING OF LEVEL OF GAS IN THE CAR. MECHANIC CHANGES IT AND CAR RUNS OK FOR 2 MONTHS. JUNE 21, 2018 - CAR STOPS ON THE FREEWAY WITH THE SAME MESSAGE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WITH THE CAR ON ROCK ICON. I GET TOWING SERVICE TO ADD GAS AND WAIT FOR AN HOUR. RESTART THE CAR AND IT WORKS. THE MESSAGE IS GONE, THE ICON IS GONE. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME I WAS STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 4, 2018
2009 328XI BMW FIRST BATTERY GOES DEAD,ONE MONTH LATER CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING,BMW SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND HOSE,THEY FIXED THAT,WHILE AT DEALER THEY SAID FAULTY CODE CAME UP FOR ALTERNATOR . ALL THIS WITHIN 1 MONTH. NO SIGNS OF LIGHTS DIM,CAR NOT STARTING,HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AND WITH NO WARNING.SEEMS THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE.DEALER FIXED FUEL PUMP.BUT HOW DOES ALTERNATOR GO WITH NO SIGNS.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 3, 2018
2009 328 XI BMW WITH 120K FUEL PUMP JUST BREAKS. BMW REPLACED FOR FREE DUE TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND RECALL INFO,THIS SUCH BE A NATIONAL RECALL AS SOMEONES CAR CAN JUST STOP WHILE DRIVING,AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 25, 2018
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT JUST COMPLETE LOST POWER,I CALLED ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY DID SOME TESTING. KEEP IN MIND I JUST GOT A NEW BATTERY THREE MONTHS AGO,HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF ANY POWER ,START UP ISSUES,. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR WITH A HIGHER STANDARD JUST DIES. THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. ITS SEEMLY INTERESTING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND BMW SHOULD BE ASHAMED WITH THEMSELVES NOT TO RECALL THIS ISSUE ,AT LEAST ADDRESS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE ISSUE..FUEL PUMP ISN'T SOMETHING THAT SHOULD GO AT 100K.VERY DISAPPOINTED. THE CAR WILL NOT START,I CAN GET A CRANK BUT NOTHING MORE.
Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 24, 2018
TAKATA RECALL: JUST CANT BELIEVE MY CAR JUST WENT DEAD WHILE DRIVING. THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE FUEL PUMP BUT NOBODY IS MAKING PEOPLE AWARE OF THIS SO IT CAN GET FIXED.IT WAS REALLY SCARY . BELT TENSIONER WAS REPLACED FROM BMW IN 2014. THEN BELT TENSIONER GOES BAD AGAIN IN 2016. STEERING SUPER TIGHT ,JUST REPLACED POWER STEERING PUMP 10 MONTHS AGO..
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 30, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO BMW OF SCOTTSDALE IN SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN MARCH OF 2017 PER AN UNKNOWN FUEL PUMP RECALL. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MARCH 29, 2018 AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,725.
Suspension, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2018
STARTING WITH ELECTRICAL THE DASH SCREEN HAS BEEN TURNING ON AND OFF ON ITS OWN SINS I BOUGHT THE CAR. DEALER CANT REPLICATE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENS SO OFTEN. WATER PUMP AND GAS PUMP HAVE GAVE ME PROBLEMS EVEN AFTER THEY FIX IT. AFTER RECALL FOR HEATER ISSUES, MY CAR ABSORBS FUMES FROM THE ENGINE. ADVISER AND SUPERVISOR FROM BMW DEALER SAY THAT IS NORMAL CAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE CAR GETS THE HEAT FROM. CENTER DIVIDER FROM INSIDE OF THE CAR GETS EXTREMELY HOT WHEN I HAVE HEATER ON, TO WHERE I CAN FEEL THE HEAT GO THROUGH MY JEANS. ADVISERS AND SUPERVISOR ALSO STATE THAT IS NORMAL, BECAUSE EXHAUST PIPES RUN THROUGH THERE. NONE OF THIS MAKES ANY SENSE TO ME. I'VE CALLED CORPORATE PLENTY OF TIMES THROUGH OUT THE YEARS AND THEY TEND TO HELP AT TIMES. BUT THIS TIME I FEEL LIKE I HAVE A LEMON PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO?
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACED FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK, SHE COULD ONLY FUEL THE TANK TWO DOLLARS WORTH AT A TIME TO FILL THE TANK. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF WEST HOUSTON AT (855) 627-3055 (LOCATED AT 20822 KATY FWY, KATY, TX 77449) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING).
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 4, 2017
TAKATA RECALL: THE CAR WHILE BEING DRIVEN WILL JUST STALL ALL POWER IS LOST, AND THEN AFTER ABOUT 30 MINUTES IT WILL START BACK UP. IT IS HARD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT IS NOT DISPLAYING THE ISSUE WHEN THE MECHANIC LOOKS AT IT. BUT IS SHOWS AN ERRORS CODE OF FUEL PUMP OVER HEATING. I HAVE HAD ALL SEVERAL REPAIRS DONE AND NOTHING HELPS. I CAN'T JUST KEEP DUMPING MONEY IN TO SEE IF THIS MIGHT ELIMINATE THE ISSUE. I SEE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF BMW MODELS. I CAN NOT SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR OR SELL IT, IT COULD CAUSE A HORRIFIC AUTO ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE IT IS AN ISSUE INVOLVING SOME PART OF THE FUEL PUMP SYSTEM. I HAVE SEEN RECALLS FOR SOME BMW MODELS WITH THESE ISSUE BUT NOT MINE. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES SINCE APRIL
Fuel/propulsion system, May 18, 2017
I WAS DRIVING WEST DOWN ROUTE 66 IN VIRGINIA. CAR HAD STALLED 5 TIMES IN A 60 MILE TRIP STATING WITH A MESSAGE FUEL PUMP FAILURE CONTINUED DRIVING IS POSSIBLE. IT LEFT ME WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WILL RESTART AFTER A 5 MINUTE COOL DOWN PERIOD AND CONTINUED DRIVING IS THEN POSSIBLE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE 70K MILES.