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, 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
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
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT WOULD ONLY ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TAIL LIGHT ELECTRICAL CONTACT POINTS MAY HAD DAMAGE THE GROUND TERMINAL AND HOUSING OF THE CONNECTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V407000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
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
Seat belts, Jun 28, 2014
THE WARNING LIGHT FOR NOT WEARING THE SEAT BELT HAS STOPPED WORKING FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. WHEN THE PASSENGER IS NOT WEARING THE SEAT BELT THE WARNING LIGHT NO LONGER COMES ON AND THE WARNING SOUND NO LONGER HAPPENS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 27, 2014
MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED IN THE ROADWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30PM. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. IT WAS LATER FOUND THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. NO INDICATION AS TO WHY THE PUMP FAILED. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, May 24, 2014
AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR NORMALLY MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF ON ME WHILE GOING 50. ITS TELLING ME ON THE SCREEN ITS THE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Engine, May 18, 2014
CAR WAS RUNNING VERY BAD BOTH CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON WITH ONE BLINKING TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CERTIFIED BMW DEALER WHO REPLACED FUEL INJECTORS, VALVE AND TUNED IT UP COST 3500 DIDN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM THEY SAID IT'S GAS TO AIR RATIO IS NOT CORRECT THE CAR MISFIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS THE BMW DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME ANOTHER 1600-2700 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. AFTER PICKING THE CAR UP AFTER THE FIRST REPAIRED I WAS BACK IN 2 DAYS LATER. DREYER AND REINBOLD IS THE DEALERSHIP. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS
Exterior lighting, May 13, 2014
THE BRAKE LIGHTS, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. SEVERAL LED ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL. BMW IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO FIX THIS SAFETY ISSUE. SEE SIB 63-06-10. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS SERIES OF CARS. SEARCH BIMMER FORUMS AND YOU WILL SEE MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPAIR THESE LIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE IMMENSE COSTS IN REPLACING THEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AT THE MANUFACTURER LEVEL. BMW SAYS THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF A POOR CONNECTION WITHIN THE LIGHT. THEY REPLACE BOTH OF THEM IF THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING FOR ANYONE OUT OF WARRANTY. I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS REFUSAL OF BMW TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS AND DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE. THEY DID A RECALL ON THE 5 SERIES CAR FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. DON'T YOU THINK THEY WOULD ALSO RECALL THE 3 SERIES. I GUESS THEY ARE TRYING TO GET OUT OF FIXING THEIR MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS. THERE SHOULD BE A WARRANTY OF MERCHANABILITY REGARDING THESE LIGHTS. IF THEY ARE NOT FIT FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE, THEN THE MFG SHOULD CORRECT IT. THEY SAY THE NEW LIGHTS HAVE A ANTI VIBRATION GASKET THAT HELPS. SO, THEY ARE AWARE OF HOW TO FIX IT. THEY JUST NEED TO DO IT. *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, Fuel system, Diesel, Oct 24, 2013
THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO MY CAR 2009 335D PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2009 FROM MOMENTUM BMW IN HOUSTON, TX. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE PRIMARILY FOR ITS ADVERTISED FUEL ECONOMY OF CITY/HWY 23/36 COMBINED WITH SUPERB PERFORMANCE. I PRIMARILY USE THIS CAR FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING FROM SAN ANTONIO TO HOUSTON, APPROX. 150 MILES EACH WAY. I GO TO HOUSTON TWICE A MONTH TO VISIT MY TWO SONS WHO ARE DOCTORS. I HAVE PUT ON AN AVERAGE OF 10,000 MILES PER YEAR, AND TODAY HAVE APPROX. 40,000 MILES. I ALSO PURCHASED BMW EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 7 YRS./70K MILES. BEFORE ALL THE MAJOR SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE UPDATES, I USED TO ROUTINELY GET AROUND 36-38 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND SINCE ALMOST 1 YEAR OR MORE, I AVERAGE LIKE 28-30 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY. IT HAS DROPPED BY MORE THAN 6-8 MPG BEFORE THESE UPDATES FOR BOTH HIGHWAY AND CITY MPG. BEING AN ENGINEER BY TRAINING, THIS IS A STATISTICAL AVERAGE FOR OVER A YEAR. I HAVE MENTIONED MANY TIMES SINCE 2012 TO PRESENT TO THE BMW DEALER IN SAN ANTONIO THAT MY FUEL ECONOMY HAS SUFFERED SUBSTANTIALLY. I ALSO HAD THE SHOP FOREMAN AT BMW DEALERSHIP VERIFY BY TEST DRIVING FOR ALMOST 40 MINUTES EACH WAY ON THE HIGHWAY, THAT THE MAX. I GOT WAS 30.6MPG WITH AVERAGE SPEED OF 65MPH. FROM DAY ONE, I HAVE ONLY PUT EITHER SHELL OR CHEVRON DIESEL FUEL IN THIS CAR. THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE BMW OF SAN ANTONIO. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I NO LONGER CAN GET THIS FUEL ECONOMY AND BMW DEALER HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR EFFORTS IN FIXING THIS ISSUE BUT COULD NOT RESOLVE IT. I NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF MY OTHER GERMAN CARS THAT THEY STILL GIVE ME THE SAME FUEL ECONOMY OF WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THEM BUT IN FACT IN MOST CASES THE FUEL ECONOMY HAS IMPROVED AFTER THE ENGINE BREAK IN PERIOD. FOREMAN STATES THAT IT NEEDS DECARBONIZATION BUT BMW DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR IT AND IT IS QUITE EXPENSIVE. *TR
Exterior lighting, Oct 21, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ACTIVATING THE RIGHT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT, THE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ABNORMALLY FAST. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE BULBS BUT IT FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ
Exterior lighting, Sep 24, 2013
I THINK BMW NEEDS TO LOOK INTO A RECALL FOR THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE 3 - SERIES MODELS FROM 09 AND UP. THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE LED SIGNAL LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONS AND SOME OF THE LED'S STOP WORKING. WHEN THOSE FEW STOP WORKING, IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE CIRCUIT AND THE REST ARE VERY DIM/NOT VISIBLE. THIS ALSO CAUSES THE WARNING INDICATOR ON THE DASH TO COME UP ADVISING THAT YOU HAVE A BURNT OUT BULB . I HAVE ALREADY HAD MY DRIVERS SIDE REPLACED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND NOW THE PASSENGER SIDE IS HAVING ISSUES. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE. THERE ARE MANY UNITS FOR SALE ON EBAY AND IN THE ITEM DESCRIPTION THEY INDICATE THAT A FEW OF THE LED'S AREN'T WORKING. AN LED CIRCUIT BOARD THAT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES AND CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATES SINCE IT AFFECTS SAFETY SINCE THE SIGNAL LIGHTS/HAZARDOUS LIGHTS DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS COINCIDES WITH THE RECALL THAT BMW RECENTLY DID FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE IN OTHER MODELS. IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! *JS
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
Visibility, Aug 23, 2013
SUNROOF EXPLODED UPWARD MAKING A "GUN SHOT" TYPE SOUND LEAVING A BASKETBALL SIZED HOLE IN THE ROOF. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jul 22, 2013
LEDS FAILING IN TAIL LIGHT TURN SIGNAL. NON-CONSUMER REPLACEABLE. $350 PART. BMW ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT OUT OF WARRANTY. THEIR SIB630610. *TR
Engine, Jul 11, 2013
I HAD A LOW BATTERY ISSUE ON MY 2009 BMW 328I ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A BATTERY CABLE RECALL AT MOTORWERKS BMW DEALER IN BLOOMINGTON, MN. MOTORWERKS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TIRES PLUS REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY FOR HALF THE PRICE COMPARED TO MOTORWERKS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AFTERMARKET ALTERNATOR THAT TIRES PLUS INSTALLED CAUSED MY CAR TO OVER HEAT BECAUSE IT WAS OVER CHARGING. I EVENTUALLY TOOK MY CAR BACK TO MOTORWERKS TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. I EMAILED THE SERVICE CONSULTANT IF IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR TO MALFUNCTION SO QUICKLY ON A 2009 BMW 328I. I ALSO INFORMED HIM THAT I HAD MY CAR SERVICED AT MOTORWERKS FOR A BATTERY CABLE RECALL IN MARCH 2013 AND ASKED HIM IF IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR ISSUE WAS RELATED WITH FIXING THE BATTERY CABLE. HE STRANGELY HAS NOT ANSWERED MY QUESTION WHICH MAKES ME WONDER IF THEY ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ORIGINAL BAD ALTERNATOR IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL SERVICE. I'M ALSO WONDERING IF OTHER 2009 3 SERIES BMW OWNERS HAD A LOW BATTERY ISSUE DUE TO A BAD ALTERNATOR AFTER HAVING THEIR CARS SERVICED FOR THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL IN MARCH 2013. IF THE ORIGINAL ALTERNATOR ISSUE IS FOUND TO BE RELATED WHILE SERVICING THE BATTERY CABLE RECALL THEN I WOULD LIKE TO GET A FULL REFUND FOR THEIR SERVICE ON MY NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. THANK FOR TAKING THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE MY CAR ISSUE. *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
Wheels, May 15, 2013
I HAD A TIRE WITH LOW PRESSURE. TOOK CAR IN TO REPLACE TIRES. TIRE SERVICE STATION ATTENDANT REFUSED TO MOUNT THE NEW TIRES DUE TO CRACKS IN THREE OF THE WHEELS. I HAVE NEVER HIT A POT HOLE NOR DRIVEN ON ROUGH PAVEMENT. *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.