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.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 19, 2013
I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON RTE 495 IN MA IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAD JUST PASSED THE EXIT RAMP TO RTE 3 WHEN THE CAR SEIZED AND DRAMATICALLY SLOWED DOWN, I WAS GOING 70-75 MPH WITH OTHER CARS BEHIND AND NEXT TO ME GOING THE SAME SPEED. IT'S ONLY DUE TO THE ALERTNESS OF THE DRIVER BEHIND ME THAT BOTH OF US ARE NOT DEAD. HE SWERVED INTO THE MIDDLE LANE AND WENT BY ME. AFTER THAT I CROSSED THREE LINES OF TRAFFIC GOING AT 10-20 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I SURVIVED THE EXPERIENCE, BUT I FEEL IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT AND HOPEFULLY SAVE THE LIFE OF SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE FUTURE IF BMW CAN BE COMPELLED TO FIX THEIR FUEL PUMP ISSUE ON THE 328I. I CALLED BMW AS I WAS WAITING FOR A TOW AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S A RECALL ON THE 335'S FUEL PUMP, BUT NOT ON THE 328I. I BELIEVE ONLY A DEATH WILL COMPEL THEM TO TAKE ACTION. AS FOR ME, I PAID THE BMW DEALERSHIP IN SUDBURY, MA $800 TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND DROVE THE CAR STRAIGHT TO A MAZDA DEALERSHIP AND TRADED IT FOR A CX-5 BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE BMW IS UNSAFE AND A POSSIBLE DEATH TRAP. *TR
Power train, Jan 6, 2013
I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOUR ORGANIZATION TAKING AN INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT BMWNA IS WELL AWARE OF, BUT INSISTS THAT IT IS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR" FOR MY CAR/TRANSMISSION. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE IT, BUT THEY WERE TOLD BY BMW THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR." THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN- LIKE FOR A TURN, BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DCT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE FIGURING OUT WHAT GEAR TO SELECT BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE ONSET OF POWER- UP TO 2-3 SECONDS. BY THIS TIME, THE DRIVER IS USUALLY REALLY DIGGING INTO THE THROTTLE. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY PICKS A GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHING FORWARD, SOMETIMES INVOKING THE ANTI-SKIP CONTROL. THE DANGER IN THIS BEHAVIOR OCCURS WHEN MAKING A TURN INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO AROUND 10-15 MPH. AFTER THE TURN, THE CAR IS POSITIONED IN THE TRAFFIC LANE, BUT YOU HAVE NO POWER TO ACCELERATE INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE ONCOMING CARS ARE NOW CLOSING IN ON YOUR CAR AT A FAST RATE, AND YOU'RE BASICALLY STUCK. THIS SITUATION IS MOST PRONOUNCED IN THE "AUTO" MODE OF THE DCT TRANSMISSION, BUT ALSO OCCURS TO A LESSER DEGREE WHILE IN THE MANUAL MODE WHEN YOU SELECT SECOND GEAR IN PREPARATION FOR THE TURN. IT IS ALSO VERY REPEATABLE IN BOTH MODES. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING AFTER A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION WHERE THE ENGINE WOULD STALL UNDER HARD BRAKING OR NOT SHIFT UNDER HARD BRAKING. THE RECALL FIXED THAT PROBLEM, BUT INTRODUCED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH OCCURS ALMOST EVERY DAY WHEREAS THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED DURING A SPECIFIC SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO MATTER. *TR
Engine, Nov 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I COUPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS THE ENGINE MALFUNCTION REDUCE POWER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR 15 MINUTES TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND ALLOWED IT TO SIT BEFORE RESTARTING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Vehicle speed control, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Nov 2, 2012
SOON AFTER PURCHASING MY 2009 BMW 328I (WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION), I HAD THE DEALER INSTALL BMW CUSTOMIZED 328I RUBBER FLOOR MATS. THE MATS HAVE A FITTED SLOT FOR THE GAS PEDAL AND ANCHORS TO PREVENT THEM FROM MOVING AFTER INSTALLATION. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LENGTH OF THE MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS TOO SHORT FOR A VEHICLE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU DEPRESS AND RELEASE THE CLUTCH, IT CATCHES THE TOP EDGE OF THE MAT AND LIFTS IT UP, COVERING THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT BACK DOWN, YOU END UP STEPPING ON THE MAT, PARTIALLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE AND/OR CLUTCH WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. I'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE THEM ADJUST THE INSTALLATION BUT THEY CAN ONLY MOVE IT A FEW INCHES BECAUSE OF THE GAS PEDAL SLOT, SO THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. I DON'T DRIVE THIS VEHICLE VERY OFTEN BUT LAST MONTH (9/2012) I FINALLY GOT FED UP AND CONTACTED BMW TO LET THEM KNOW THEIR RUBBER MAT DESIGN HAS A SAFETY FLAW AND THAT I WAS FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THEY RECORDED MY COMPLAINT BUT SAID THERE WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL FOLLOW-UP. SO, FOR SAFETY REASONS, I HAVE NOW REMOVED THE DRIVER'S MAT FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR
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.
Fuel system, Diesel, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 18, 2012
2009 BMW 335D, EGR COOLER CRACKS OPEN AND STARTS FUMING UNFILTERED DIESEL EXHAUST INTO THE ENVIRONMENT AND INTO COCK PIT OF CAR. HIGHLY DANGEROUS GAS HAS SEVERE IMPACT TO OCCUPANTS, CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AS EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE OF CAR. BMW REFUSE TO FIX THIS UNDER BELOW MENTIONED RECALL AS IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COOLER. RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 11E-A03: BMW VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN SCR CATALYST, EGR VALVE AND/OR DEF MIXER AND ECU SOFTWARE FLASH FAILED EXHAUST COOLER MAKES THE CAR ILLEGAL ON ROAD AS IT EXCEEDS EMISSION LIMITS AND IS IMPACTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND IS A HEALTH HAZARD. *TR
Steering, Oct 12, 2012
I BEGAN TO FEEL STRONG RAPID PULSATING AND AUDIBLE VIBRATIONS THROUGH STEERING WHEEL EVERY TIME WHEN I PARK THE CAR. ONCE I EXPERIENCED THE SAME WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHILE MAKING LANE CHANGE TO THE RIGHT. AND THESE VIBRATIONS AND NOISE STILL CONTINUE TO BE FELT SINCE THEN. *TR
Power train, Engine, Sep 10, 2012
IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT BMWNA IS WELL AWARE OF, BUT INSISTS THAT IT IS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR" FOR MY CAR/TRANSMISSION. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE IT, BUT THEY WERE TOLD BY BMW THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR." THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN- LIKE FOR A TURN, BUT DO NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DCT TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE FIGURING OUT WHAT GEAR TO SELECT BECAUSE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS TO ACCELERATE, THERE IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN THE ONSET OF POWER- UP TO 2-3 SECONDS. BY THIS TIME, THE DRIVER IS USUALLY REALLY DIGGING INTO THE THROTTLE. THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY PICKS A GEAR, WHICH RESULTS IN THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHING FORWARD, SOMETIMES INVOKING THE ANTI-SKIP CONTROL. THE DANGER IN THIS BEHAVIOR OCCURS WHEN MAKING A TURN INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO AROUND 10-15 MPH. AFTER THE TURN, THE CAR IS POSITIONED IN THE TRAFFIC LANE, BUT YOU HAVE NO POWER TO ACCELERATE INTO THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE ONCOMING CARS ARE NOW CLOSING IN ON YOUR CAR AT A FAST RATE, AND YOU'RE BASICALLY STUCK. THIS SITUATION IS MOST PRONOUNCED IN THE "AUTO" MODE OF THE DCT TRANSMISSION, BUT ALSO OCCURS TO A LESSER DEGREE WHILE IN THE MANUAL MODE WHEN YOU SELECT SECOND GEAR IN PREPARATION FOR THE TURN. IT IS ALSO VERY REPEATABLE IN BOTH MODES. THESE PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING AFTER A PREVIOUS RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION WHERE THE ENGINE WOULD STALL UNDER HARD BRAKING OR NOT SHIFT UNDER HARD BRAKING. THE RECALL FIXED THAT PROBLEM, BUT INTRODUCED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH OCCURS ALMOST EVERY DAY WHEREAS THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED DURING A SPECIFIC SITUATION. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS DANGEROUS MATTER. *TR
Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 6, 2012
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE DRY CLEANERS. AS I WAS TRYING TO MERGE INTO THE FREEWAY, THE CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH ABOUT A 70% REDUCTION IN POWER. I COULDNT MERGE ONTO THE FREEWAY SAFELY, AND HAD TO PULL TOT HE SHOULDER. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT BMW DEALER FOR REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT IT IS DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Wheels, Aug 21, 2012
WHILE HAVING NEW TIRES INSTALLED, INSTALLER IDENTIFIED A CRACK IN THE RIM OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. TOLD ME HE HAD SEEN THIS ON SIMILAR BMWS BEFORE, TOLD ME TO RETURN IT TO DEALER RIGHT AWAY, WHICH I DID. *TR
Tires, May 8, 2012
2009 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH VEHICLE TIRES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE EXTRA COST SPORT PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDED 18 INCH SPORT WHEELS AND LOWER PROFILE TIRES THAN THE BASE CAR. THE TIRES WERE MICHELIN RUN FLAT TIRES WHICH WERE INSTALLED BY BMW SO THAT THEY COULD AVOID THE WEIGHT OF THE SPARE TIRE. THERE WAS NO SPARE TIRE, JACK, INFLATION DEVICE OR OTHER BACKUP. THE TIRES HAD ROUTINELY FAILED DUE TO AN INHERENT DEFECT, BEFORE THEIR NORMAL SERVICE LIFE WAS COMPLETE. THE TIRES FAILED IN AS LITTLE AS 8,00 MILES AND A COUPLE HAVE LASTED UNTIL THEY WERE AT 3/32, STILL BEFORE THE NORMAL SERVICE LIFE WAS COMPLETE. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE, WAS DUE TO A SIDEWALL BULGE THAT DEVELOPED IN THE AREA BETWEEN THE TIRE BEAD AND THE SIDEWALL. AFTER THE BULGE BEGAN, A TEAR DEVELOPED AND AFTER THE TEAR BEGAN, THE TIRES AT THAT POINT OF THE BULGE BECAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON AT ANY SPEED. THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TWICE. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 18, 2012
I BUY MY 2009 BMW 335I WITH 39,700 MILES, FULL BMW SERVICE WAS DONE THE SAME DAY, MY NEXT SERVICE WAS AT 49,000 MILES HOWEVER AT AROUND 48,000 MILES. WHEN DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 50MPH I HAD TO MOVE OVER TO THE PASSING LANE AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE ABOUT AT 65MPH THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE VERY BAD AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOSS POWER HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 20-25MPH COULD HAVE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN THE FASTER LANE AND CAR SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY!! THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO MOVE ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE SLOWER LANE WITH LITTLE ISSUE. AFTER I PULLED OVER I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND OPEN THE HOOD AS MY OIL TEMP WAS JUST ABOUT AT 250*, UNDER HOOD TEMPS WAS HOT BUT NOT ANYTHING CRAZY, EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD SO I STARTED THE CAR AND IT IDLE LIKE NORMAL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOW GONE, I CLOSE THE HOOD AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR LIKE NORMAL, SO I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL BMW DEALER IN MY WORK AREA AND THEY TOLD ME THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS CAUSE BY THE HPFP HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, SO THEY REPLY IT AND EVERYTHING SEEMS NORMAL FOR ANOTHER 2,000 MILES THEN I HAD THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN! THIS TIME I WAS HEADING HOME AND IT HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE WITH MOVING TRAFFIC OMG THAT WAS BAD ALL MOST CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WITH ALL THE CARS, TRUCKS BEHIND ME HAD TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY .. WAS GOING 30MPH AND TRIED TO SPEED UP TO 60 .. AT AROUND 45MPH CAR LOST POWER AND WAS SHAKING WORST THAN THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AGAIN THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, I TURN THE CAR OFF AND WAITED FOR 5-6MIN THAN TURN IT BACK ON, THIS TIME THE ENGINE LIGHT REMAIN ON, MY OIL TEMP WAS AROUND 190*, THE CAR STILL IDLE AND DRIVE AS NORMAL EVEN WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON, TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BMW DEALER IN MY HOME AREA AND THEY FOUND THIS TIME IS TWO BAD INJECTORS ONE AT CYLINDER 1 AND THE OTHER AT CYLINDER 5 .COST OF REPAIR $1.1K. *JS
Visibility, Mar 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REARVIEW MIRROR DID NOT DIM ACCORDING TO NHTSA RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO HAVE THE REARVIEW MIRROR DIM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 05/10/12*LJ UPDATED 05/14/12
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 6, 2012
MAKE : 2009 BMW 328I SEDAN E36 PROBLEM : 11/11 : ENGINE STOP RUNNING, LOSE POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING AND BRAKES. TRIED TO RE-STARTED MY CAR BUT COULD NOT - LONG-CRANK ENGINE STARTING TIMES ALONG WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. TOWED TO BMW OF SAN DIEGO. 1 WEEK REPAIR AND HAD BEEN TOLD FUEL PUMP MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED. PAID $730.68 FOR REPLACEMENT. 01/12 : SAME PROBLEM - ENGINE STOP RUNNING, LOSE POWER, LONG-CRANK. TOWED TO BMW OF SAN DIEGO AGAIN. HAD BEEN TOLD FUEL PUMP BROKEN AND CAUSE FUEL PUMP MODULE BURNING. PAID AGAIN $7XX FOR REPLACEMENT FOR SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Dec 18, 2011
VEHICLE OIL TEMP WAS JUST UNDER 250. VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON AN INCLINE. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU CAN FEEL THE VEHICLE MISFIRING IN THE GAS PEDDLE. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHAKE IN PARK. DEALER ADVISED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR 30 MIN BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. SEEMS TO BE A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE ENGINE TEMP INCREASES TO JUST UNDER 250 OR DRIVING ON A INCLINE ON THE HWY. PREVIOUSLY HAD NO ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL DEALER REPLACED A HFP (RECALL NOTICE) DURING AN OIL CHANGE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 11/23/11 THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. PREVIOUSLY BEEN TOLD INJECTORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO PROGRAMMING AND ALSO BAD GAS. I HAVE ALWAYS USED PREMIUM 91+ OCT GAS. RECENTLY THE DEALER PUT IN A FUEL ADDITIVE AND ADVISED ME TO USE SHELL OR CHEVRON PREMIUM GAS IN THE FUTURE. I DROVE OUT THE FUEL ADDITIVE TANK, NO ISSUES AND REFUELED AT SHELL USING PREMIUM 91 POWER V. FORTY FIVE MINUTES LATER, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ON THE HWY ONCE AGAIN AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS FORCED TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY TO A SPEED / GEAR WHERE I WOULDN'T SHAKE. PREVIOUS DRIVING HISTORY IN EU WITH NO ISSUES ON THE AUTOBAHN AND THE VEHICLE IS A US SPEC. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED TO CA, I DROVE IT TO AZ (800 MILES) WITH NO ISSUES AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL SEPT WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND MY HFP REPLACED. MY FIRST LONG HWY DRIVE SINCE THE OIL CHANGE / HFP WAS REPLACED, WE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE. *TR
Visibility, Nov 4, 2011
AFTER ONLY 16,000 MILES OF USE, THE WINDSHIELD FIRST APPEARED TO BE COMPLETELY "SANDBLASTED" WITH TINY INDENTATIONS. WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN THE GLARE BECOMES SO INTENSE THAT YOU CAN NO LONGER SEE THE ROAD. YOU EFFECTIVELY BECOME BLINDED AND CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REACT TO AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE SAME SITUATION OCCURS AT NIGHT WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS RARELY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS AND IS ALWAYS GARAGED. BMW DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE, WILL NOT REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD UNDER WARRANTY AND CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT A REPLACEMENT WINDSHIELD WILL NOT PERFORM IN THE SAME MANNER.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 17, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED NECK INJURIES AND THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 7, 2011
I PURCHASED A 2009 BMW 238I. I TOOK IT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON 30 SEPT 11. I DROPPED IT OFF, GOT A LOANER, AND WENT TO WORK. BEFORE I DROPPED IT OFF THAT MORNING THE CAR RAN GREAT, IT HAD NO TICKING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS NOR LOSS OF POWER. I HADN'T HEARD FROM BMW SO I CALLED THEM, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD TALKED TO BMW NA AND I NEED TO AGREE TO THEM REMOVING MY VALVE COVER, AT MY EXPENSE $700. I SAID THAT I ONLY WANTED AN OIL CHANGE. HE TOLD ME THEY TERMINATED MY WARRANTY. MY WARRANTY WAS FOR 4YR/50,000 MILES, IT HAD NOT EXPIRED. I WAS VERY UPSET AND MADE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO CALL BMW NA AND THE SUPERVISOR TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO WITH WHAT THE SERVICE CENTER SAID AND THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE TO TALK TO. DISAPPOINTED, I PICKED MY CAR UP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR MADE SOME LOUD TICKING NOISES AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE EXPERIENCING SOME POWER LOSS, IN THE MIST OF HIGH TRAFFIC. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE WHEN IT STARTED AND I IMMEDIATELY GOT OVER TO GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY. AND AS I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT OFF (NO POWER), I BARELY MADE IT OFF THE ROAD. IT JUST SHUT OFF! I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW. THAT WEEKEND THE CAR CRANKED UP AND IT SEEMED TO BE NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK IT AROUND THE BLOCK TO SEE IF IT WAS OKAY. THE TICKING RETURNED AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN AND I HAD TO COAST IT OFF THE ROAD ONTO CHURCH GROUNDS AND CALL A TOW TRUCK AGAIN. AND NOW IT WILL NOT CRANK AT ALL. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR AND I HAVE TO RENT A CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL RECALLS, FOR EXAMPLE: BMW HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS RECALL AND VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS AND SAFETY RECALLS AND TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAFETY AND HOW BMW TERMINATES A LOT OF PEOPLE'S WARRANTIES PRIOR TO THEIR EXPIRATION DATE. BMW SEEMS TO BE PUTTING ALL OF OUR LIVES AT RISK AND TERMINATING WARRANTIES AT WILL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 8, 2011
2009 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAINTENANCE WAS NOT PERFORMED AS INDICATED ON THE INVOICE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID A COMPARISON OF THE BRAKE FLUID BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND AFTER HE RETURNED FROM THE DEALER AND THE PICTURES SHOWED THE BRAKE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 25, 2011
ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011, MY 2009 328I SHUT DOWN WITHOUT NOTICE IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF I-90 AT MILE MARKER 80.002 ABOUT A MILE FROM OHARE AIRPORT IN CHICAGO. IT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART AND I WAS LEFT TO CALL 911 AND SPEND 10 MINUTES WAITING FOR DOT TO TOW ME OFF THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TO A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TO WAIT ANOTHER HOUR FOR AAA TO TOW MY CAR TO PERILLO BMW IN CHICAGO TO ASSESS THE ISSUE. JUNE 15TH 2011: ABOUT 3 HOURS AFTER BRINGING MY CAR INTO THE ZIMBRICK BMW SERVICE FACILITY TO HAVE A SET OF AFTER-MARKET LED LIGHTS INSTALLED AT COST, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT APPEARED ILLUMINATED ON MY DASHBOARD. AS I HAD NEVER SEEN THIS LIGHT APPEAR ON MY LESS THAN 2 YEAR OLD CAR BEFORE, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE PERSON WHO WAS HEAD OF YOUR SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DISCUSS HOW THIS LIGHT COULD APPEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AFTER HAVING MY CAR IN HOURS EARLIER ON A SERVICE APPOINTMENT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE TOUCHED THE ENGINE. A LOANER CAR WAS PROMPTLY DRIVEN TO MY OFFICE, TO CHECK INTO THE ISSUE AND TAKE MY CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, IF NECESSARY. THE FOLLOWING IS THE CONVERSATION THAT TRANSPIRED BETWEEN THE SERVICE REP AND I, UPON HIS REVIEW OF MY VEHICLE, USING A COMPUTER CONNECTION TO PULL DATA FROM MY CARS ONBOARD COMPUTER SYSTEM: SA: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU FILLED THE CAR WITH GAS? ME: (CHECKING THE ODOMETER, AS I RESET IT WITH EACH FULL TANK OF GAS) ABOUT 97 MILES AGO. SA: WELL, THE COMPUTER IS REPORTING THE ISSUE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER, I THINK IT MIGHT JUST BE THAT YOUR GAS CAP MAY HAVE BEEN UNSCREWED. ME: I CAN'T SAY THAT MAKES MUCH SENSE, AS I FILLED IT UP 97 MILES AGO AND HAVEN'T SEEN AN ISSUE UNTIL NOW. SA; WELL, LET ME JUST TURN THE INDICATOR LIGHT OFF AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU RUN INTO THIS ISSUE AGAIN.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jul 14, 2011, fire
2009 BMW 328I WITH 17K MILES MALFUNCTIONED CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. I WAS INJURED BY THE FIRE GETTING OUT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE FIRE CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF THE CAR THERE WAS ADDITIONAL 20K PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY COLLISION OR OPERATOR ERROR. ON 15 NOV 2010 APPROX 7: 30PM AFTER ABOUT 8 MINS OF DRIVING MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SES LIGHT CAME ON. IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS I PULLED OVER OFF OF THE SHOULDER IN THE GRASS. THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP I TOOK MY FLASH LIGHT AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD.I DID NOT SEE ANYTHING OR NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. AFTER A LITTLE TIME THE CAR STARTED BACK UP, THE SES LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON. IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE, I WAS OUT OF STATE AND BMW WAS CLOSED SO I TURNED BACK. I DROVE APPROX 1 BLOCK TO A DRIVEWAY WHERE I STOPPED AND CALLED MY HUSBAND TO SAY I WOULD NOT COME HOME UNTIL MY CAR COULD BE SEEN. I BEGAN TO DRIVE BACK TOWARDS LONGVIEW, TX. I ENTERED THE HIGHWAY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AT ABOUT 50 MPH MY CAR BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE ENGINE MADE A LOAD NOISE AND THE RPM GAUGE WENT UP TO 7000 RPMS I WAS IN TRAFFIC AND NEEDED TO PULL OVER. I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED AT APPROX 40 MPH I PUT THE CAR IN 4TH GEAR AND IT REDLINED AGAIN. I PUT IT BACK INTO NEUTRAL THE CLUTCH WENT TO THE FLOOR. STILL COASTING IN TRAFFIC I GOT OFF THE ROAD AS SOON AS I COULD . IT DIED ON TOP OF A BRIDGE WITH A NARROW SHOULDER. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, WHILE TALKING TO THEM I SEEN FLAMES COMING FROM THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL AREA. WITHOUT A SECOND THOUGHT I GOT OUT OF THE CAR I UNDID MY SEAT BELT OPENED THE DRIVERS DOOR AND JUMPED OUT ONLY MY CELL IN HAND. THERE WAS A WALL OF FLAMES TALLER THAN ME I GOT BURNED GETTING AWAY FROM THE CAR I RAN THROUGH THE FLAMES INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE WHEN I HEARD THE 1ST EXPLOSION AND THE 2ND AS I RAN OFF OF THE BRIDGE. *TR
Electrical system, Tires, Equipment, Jun 4, 2011
HARD DISK DRIVE IN ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND CREATES DISTRACTION TO DRIVE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 3, 2011
ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS SITUATION HAPPENS WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY ON HOT DAYS WITH THE AC RUNNING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE SAME SCENARIO. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 20, 2011
2009 BMW 335I WITH 11000 MILES STARTED TO SPUTTER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE YELLOW SERVICE ENGINE AND LOW POWER LIGHTS CAME ON. VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE BUT WITH LOW POWER. MANAGED TO LIMP INTO TOWN AND HAD CAR TOWED TO BMW DEALERSHIP. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AND PERFORMED SOFTWARE UPDATE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 2, 2011
CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE ACCELERATING AND ATTEMPTING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 5 N IN IRVINE. HAD TO EXIT INTERSTATE AND DRIVE SURFACE STREETS. CAR CONTINUED TO OPERATE AT GREATLY REDUCED POWER. DEALER REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP UNDER WARRANTY. *TR