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
388 reports, newest first.
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.
Structure, May 31, 2016
DRIVING DOWN I-25 AT 75 MPG ON MAY 28 NEAR BERTHOUD, COLORADO MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO TRUCKS NEARBY. NORMAL TRAFFIC. WEATHER WAS ABOUT 70 DEG F. NO RAIN OR HAIL. LUCKILY THE SLIDER WAS CLOSED, OTHERWISE WE'D BE COVERED IN GLASS. THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE COVERED IN GLASS, AS WAS THE ROAD. SEEMS IT'S HAPPENED TO A FEW BMW CARS LATELY ACROSS THE GLOBE.
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.
Fuel/propulsion system, May 9, 2016
DRIVING ALONG AT 80 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, HEADING INTO A CURVE. CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND CAR SHUTOFF. WAS ABLE TO ACTIVATE HAZARDS AND MANEUVER BETWEEN THE CAR AND SEMI NEXT TO ME TO GET TO RIGHT SHOULDER. (DITCH ON LEFT SIDE) ONCE SAFELY OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TRIED TO RESTART AND CAR CRANKED BUT DID NOT START. JUST HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACED 6 WEEKS AGO FOR SAME CRANKING, BUT NOT STARTING BEHAVIOR. BMW HAS CONFIRMED THE NEW HPFP THEY PUT IN 6 WEEKS AGO FAILED.
Exterior lighting, Apr 8, 2016
THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHTS' TURN SIGNAL START FLICKERING WITH THE LIGHT ERROR SIGNAL IN THE DASH, 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
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, 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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 25, 2016
MY VEHICLES FUEL CONSUMPTION HAS WORSENED. HEADLIGHTS FLICKERS. VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE OFTEN. VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT'S CHOKING OR RUNNING ON LESS CYLINDERS. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CHANGE MY CLOCK. MISFIRING STILL OCCURRING EVEN AFTER TUNE UP. LOSS OF POWER. WASTE GATE RATTLE.
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.
Exterior lighting, Dec 29, 2015
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM DEALER WITH FAULTY RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL. UPON RESEARCHING, THERE IS A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND MODELS BUILT PRIOR TO MINE WERE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE ON THIS MODEL AND IT IS AFFECTING VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER BMW CLAIMS TO HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE, RESULTING IN UNDUE HARDSHIP TO OWNERS. THE REPLACEMENT PART, WHICH BMW WON'T MAKE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE, HAS TO BE REPLACED BY THE DEALER AT A COST OF OVER $500 ON AVERAGE.
Steering, Engine, Dec 11, 2015
BOLT SECURING SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY AGAINST ENGINE BLOCK BROKE OFF . THE BELT TENSIONER ASSEMBLY ALSO BROKE. THE SERPENTINE BELT COMPLETELY CAME OFF RENDERING VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. HAPPENED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 9, 2015
I HAD JUST LEFT HOME AND HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR FEW MINUTES. WAS WAITING ON TOP OF A SMALL HILL AT A STOP LIGHT AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WHEN IT TURNED GREEN. THAT IS WHEN THE CAR TURNED OFF AND STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARD DOWN A HILL. HAD TO PUT ON EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TRIED TO TURN ON THE CAR BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. SO HAD TO CRUISE BACKWARDS TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER WATING 10 MINUTES TRIED TO RESTART CAR AGAIN AND IT TURNED ON. BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO THE BMW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. NOW 4 MONTHS LATER MY CAR IS NOT WORKING AT ALL.
Engine, Nov 19, 2015
VEHICLE IN STRAIGHT, FORWARD MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX. 60MPH) AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY. REACHING A SAFE RESTING AREA POSED SIGNIFICANT RISK DUE TO LACK OF WARNING OR DESCRIPTIVE VEHICLE FAULT. SMOKE AND/OR STEAM EMITTING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AT 56,000 MILES/5 YEARS IN SERVICE. SECOND OCCURRENCE.