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, Apr 15, 2022
I turned my car on an out of nowhere a seatbelt and airbag light came on. I did not get into a bump up or disconnect any sensors it just popped up one day.
Electrical system, Mar 21, 2022
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System) however, upon picking up the vehicle and driving 25 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated and the vehicle started making abnormal beeping sounds. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed the contact that he needed to purchase the parts to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The contact stated that the beeping sounds would stop and the air bag warning light turned off whenever he buckled the front passenger seat belt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 95,911.
Engine, Mar 8, 2022
Recall for PCV valve (NHTSA 17V683) has been outstanding since Oct 2017. I received a letter July 2021 from BMW saying I needed to urgently have this repaired and could lead to a fire. It said parts and remedy are available. Went to BMW dealer 3/8/22 and the dealership is telling me that the system tells them there is no fix available for this recall. (Service agent: Yordano Rios Reyes, and Service center Manager: Mike) I told them I was experiencing an active issue with my car related to the PCV valve (excessive vacuum leading to erratic RPM, loud whistling, and stalls). They said their is nothing they can do, so they are telling me I should drive around with an active safety issue.
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2022
My car is losing power and the instrument panel tends to flicker on and off at times. I had to replace the battery cables, due to water entering the battery compartment and corroded the cables. Once that was repaired it was determined that the the positive battery cable at the front power distribution box may be damaged by vehicle vibrations or something which cause no power going to the distribution box. I repaired the issues with the battery cables and the water collecting in the battery compartment. Now the problem I outlined above with the power not reaching the the front distribution box is now being worked on. I reached out to BMW and was told that my specific vin # was not impacted. However, it's hard to tell based on the description of the problem as outlined in the recall 13V-044. At this time I can't find the copy of the repair bill, however, the repairs were completed at Motorsports gmbh, 101 Park Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071 approximately $2,000.00
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.
Structure, Jun 18, 2021
Door operation mechanism breakage - inability to Unlock or to Egress/Ingress.
Air bags, Seats, Jun 15, 2021
Code is coming up for passenger seat occupancy sensor which possibly affects airbag deployment in the event of a collision. It has been noted that the passenger seat occupancy sensor has been a part of prior BMW for 2008 and earlier.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 9, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2009 BMW 335i. The contact stated that he parked his vehicle in the driveway of his residence and the next morning his wife informed him that the vehicle was engulfed in flames. There was no damage to the residence from the flames. The fire department was contacted and arrived to extinguish the flames. A fire report was made. There was no injury sustained. The police arrived and started an investigating however, a police report was not filed. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the fire department. The insurance provider was contacted and informed the contact that fire coverage was not included in his policy. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) as a possible solution to the failure however, the Vin was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2009 BMW 335i. The contact stated that he parked his vehicle in the driveway of his residence and, the next morning his wife informed him that the vehicle was engulfed in flames. There were no damages to the residence from the flames. The fire department was contacted and arrived to extinguish the flames. A fire report was filed. There were no injuries sustained. A police investigation was started however, a report was not yet provided. A local dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the Vin was not under recall. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the fire department. The insurance company was contacted however, informed the contact that fire protection was not included in his policy. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System) as a possible solution to the failure however, the vin was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Electrical system, Jun 7, 2021, fire
The contact owned a 2009 BMW 335i. The contact stated that he parked the vehicle in the driveway at his residence and the next morning his wife informed him that the vehicle was engulfed in flames. There was no damage to the residence from the flames. The fire department was called out and arrived and extinguished the flames. A fire report was filed. There was no injury sustained. An investigation was started by the local police department however, a police report was not yet filed. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the fire department. The insurance company was contacted however, informed the contact that there was no fire coverage included on his policy. The contact mentioned NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V676000 (Electrical System) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure however, not further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Visibility/wiper, May 15, 2021
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 60MPH MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. NO CARS WERE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE RULING OUT A ROCK. IT WAS COUPLED WITH A LOUD NOISE AND GLASS FALLING INTO THE CAR AND DOWN THE BACK OF THE CAR.
Air bags, Apr 3, 2021
I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE IN HTTPS://STATIC.NHTSA.GOV/ODI/TSBS/2014/MC-10148018-9999.PDF BUT IN MY 2009 BMW, WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL.
Air bags, Seats, Mar 17, 2021
THE SEAT MAT SENSOR IS ALSO DEFECTIVE IN THE 2009 MODEL YEAR. BMW HAS INCLUDED ONLY 2007 AND 2008. WE CANNOT PUT A CHILD OR ELDERLY IN THE FRONT SEAT AS THE AIRBAG WILL GO OFF.
Engine, Feb 19, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 3281. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED. THE CONTACT SATED THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND FOUND THAT OIL HAD SPILLED ONTO THE ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A TSB-10076476-5448 ECCENTRIC SHAFT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Nov 20, 2020
RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AND SOMETIMES WHEN STATIONARY MY CAR'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED GOING HAYWIRE INCLUDING MY GAUGES AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AS WELL SOME OTHER SAFETY FEATURES WITH TTHE SEATBELT WERE DISABLED WITH & WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE CAR. I KEEP GETTING A WARNING SCREEN THAT TREAD AS FOLLOWS: "RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. FAULT IN PASSENGER-RESTRAINT SYSTEM AFFECTING AIRBAG, BELT TENSIONER OR BELT-FORCE LIMITER. CONTINUE TO WEAR THE SAFETY BELT. HAVE THE SYSTEM CHECKED BY THE NEAREST BMW CENTER." AFTER LOOKING ONLINE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN ISN'T INCLUDED ON THE RECALL.
Seats, Nov 12, 2020
PASS. SEAT MAT SENSOR MALFUNCTION IT CRACKS AND CAUSES A SAFTEY ISSUE WHERE IF THE CAR IS TO CRASH THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT GO OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
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, Aug 29, 2020
I BOUGHT A 2009 BMW 335I OFF OF A FRIEND OF MINE KNOWING THAT THE CAR DID INDEED HAVE FEW ISSUES BACK IN DECEMBER OF 2019. WHEN I HAD RECEIVED THE CAR THE BACK LEFT STRUT WAS OUT. I REPLACED ALL OF THEM INCLUDING THE BRAKES AS WELL AS PREFORMED A SIMPLE SERVICE. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A DIAGNOSIS FOR THE CAR NOT WANTING TO START PROPERLY TO BMW FOR A PROPER CHECK UP. I LEGIT GET TWO STARTS BEFORE HAVING TO LET IT SIT FOR A WHILE BEFORE I CAN START IT AGAIN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AFTER WHAT I THOUGHT COULD POSSIBLY BE A STARTER ISSUE. BUT IT WASNT, THE CAR DOESNT CRANK; IT CLICKS ALMOST AS IF IT WANTS TO TURN OVER AND RUN AS A SELF SUSTAINING MECHANISM. INSTEAD I MUST LET IT SIT FOR A COUPLE HOURS UNTIL I CAN YET AGAIN START IT BACK UP AND ITS FINE. THIS CAR HAS MADE ME SIT AND WAIT COUNTLESS TIMES AT FRIENDS HOUSES AND PUBLIC PLACES. BMW TOLD ME THAT IT IS THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND CABLE FROM THE START PORT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THEY SENT ME A FULL INSPECTION SUMMARY AS A VIDEO FOR ME TO SEE AND YES THAT RED CABLE DOESNT LOOK TO GOOD BEHIND THE WHEEL WELL LEADING TO THE BATTERY. OF COURSE I DID MY RESEARCH AND FOUND MANY OTHER BMW'S ALIKE HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUES. I DONT WANT TO HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET $3000 FOR A PIECE OF HARDWARE THAT IS BOND TO DECAY. THATS A HUGE OBLIGATION FOR MYSELF AND A LARGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MANY OTHERS. THIS IS MY DAILY AND I DONT WANT TO RISK ANYTHING UPON MYSELF OR ANYONE ELSE THAT MAY OWN THIS SAME MODEL AND OR HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. THE DATE FOR WHEN IT OCCURRED IS THE DATE BMW SENT AN INSPECTION VIDEO BACK FOR MYSELF TO VIEW.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 8, 2020
IT STARTED HAPPENING HERE AND THERE, WHILE NO ONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, IT IS SAYING SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE ON AND AN AIRBAG LIGHT, AFTER A LITTLE WHILE OF DRIVING THE AIRBAG LIGHT SOMETIMES GOES OFF BUT SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL STAY ON. EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON - BOTH OF THOSE LIGHTS ARE ON SEAT BELT AND AIRBAG. I'M SCARED IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WONT DEPLOY. I'M ALSO SEEING I'M NOT THE ONLY BMW WITH THIS ISSUE. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL WHEN THIS CAN COST SOMEONE THEIR LIFE. NO CARS AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD JUST GO.
Wheels, Jul 3, 2020
I PURCHASED 4 WHEELS FOR MY VEHICLE WHERE ONE OF THE FOUR FAILED UNDER NORMAL AND REASONABLE USE. A DETAILED DESCRIPTION IS ATTACHED IN THE DOCUMENTS TITLED 20200703_MAS_COMPLAINT.PDF. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jun 17, 2020
SENSOR WARNING STATES PASSENGER AIRBAG AND PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT ON. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, May 28, 2020
VEHICLE NEEDS AN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT, AND TWO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FIXED. ONE OF THOSE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS MAY LEAD TO THE CAR OVERHEATING WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND A FIRE HAZARD. *DT I HAVE CALLED THE BMW ROSEVILLE, CA DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY DO NOT ANSWER. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE I COMMUTE FOR WORK AND I ALSO DRIVE AROUND MY PREGNANT WIFE AND MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER.*JB
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 17, 2020
FUEL PUMP LEAKING GASOLINE LEAVING A STRONG ODOR IN THE CAR AND FOOTWELL MODULE IS BAD
Exterior lighting, Mar 1, 2020
RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL MALFUNCTIONING
Air bags, Seat belts, Feb 21, 2020
WHEN A PASSENGER IS BELTED - WITH CAR RUNNING/DRIVING - AN ALARM COMES ON - BASICALLY NOT RECOGNIZING WHEN BELTED. ALSO THE INACTIVE AIRBAG LIGHT IS NOT ON. WHEN NO PASSENGER, THE CAR USED TO LIGHT UP THE 'AIRBAG NOT ACTIVE' - IT NO LONGER SHOWS THAT (LIGHT IS ALWAYS OFF) WHETHER PASSENGER THERE OR NOT.