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.
Seats, Air bags, Oct 25, 2018
TAKATA RECALL-I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE AIRBAG RECALL AND THE BMW OF SOUTH ATLANTA REPAIRED THE DRIVER SEAT-I THINK. WHEN I LEFT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS ON AND I ASKED ABOUT IT THE TECH SAID IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT YOU DON'T WANT TO SCHRAPNEL TO HIT THE PASSENGER. FROM THEN ON THE SEAT BELT SIGN STAYED ON EVEN WHEN SOMEONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH THEIR SEAT BELT ON. I TOOK MY CAR BACK IN LAST WEEK FOR THE WARNING LIGHT AND WAS TOLD IT IS A SEAT SENSOR AND WOULD COST $1,400.00. DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE AIRBAG RECALL? IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS A FAULTY PART WITH BMW THEN WHY AREN'T THEY RECALLING AND REPAIRING?
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.
Electrical system, Oct 16, 2018
BMW ANNOUNCED A RECALL OF THE A/C AND HEATING CIRCULATING FAN IN OCTOBER 2017. A YEAR LATER "NO REMEDY IS AVAILABLE." HOW CAN THIS BE? I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT OUR VEHICLE MAY SUFFER A FIRE BECAUSE THE FAN HAS BEEN BEHAVING IN A STRANGE FASHION -- RUNNING FAST UNPREDICTABLY, ETC.
Electrical system, Oct 10, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE DEALER (STERLING BMW, 3000 WEST COAST HWY, NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92663, 949-200-8722) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONSUMER STATED PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 01/30/19*JB
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 25, 2018
RECALL # 17V676, 17V683 IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR AND I'M STILL UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITH BMW DEALER FOR REASON OF PARTS UNAVAILABLE. MY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COULDN'T KEEP CAR COOL ENOUGH AS HEAT FROM THE ENGINE IS HIGH.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Engine, Sep 20, 2018
IN NOVEMBER 2017 I RECEIVED TWO (2) RECALL NOTICES FOR MY 2009 BMW 328I. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 17V-676) AND PCV VALVE HEATER (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 17V-676) WERE DEFECTIVE. I WAS FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT NO REMEDY FOR EITHER DEFECT WAS AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER 2018. I HAVE CONTACTED BMW AND BEEN ADVISED THAT AT THIS TIME A REMEDY REMAINS UNAVAILABLE. I AM CONSIDERING SELLING OR TRADING IN MY VEHICLE BUT BECAUSE THIS RECALL HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED MY RESALE PRICE MAY BE LOWERED. IF TWO (2) RECALL REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN PERFORMED 10 MONTHS AFTER A RECALL NOTICE HAS BEEN ISSUED, WHY BOTHER ISSUING THE RECALL NOTICE IN NOVEMBER 2017 IF IT IS FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN BUREAUCRATIC PAPER SHUFFLING FOR BMW TO CLAIM TO THE NHTSA THAT BMW IS GOING TO FIX A DEFECT WHILE ACTUALLY DOING NOTHING TO REMEDY THE DEFECT?
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 20, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 13V044000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUTOGERMANA BMW (LOCATED AT 298 AVENDIA CARLOS E. CHARDON, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICES FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE LIGHTING FOR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FLICKERED. AN UNKNOWN BMW DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE FROM A RENTAL FACILITY FOR OVER TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONSUMER STATED THE FUSE BOX HAS PROBLEMS NOW AND NOT AVAILABLE UPDATED 11/26/18*JB
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.
Electrical system, Aug 16, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); 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. MOMENTUM BMW (10002 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX 77074, (855) 645-6452) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Visibility/wiper, Aug 15, 2018
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FLEMINGTON BMW DEALER (908-788-2691, LOCATED AT 216 US-202, FLEMINGTON, NJ 08822) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME BY THE SAME DEALER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. FE
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MARIN MAZDA (807 FRANCISCO BLVD E, SAN RAFAEL, CA 94901, (415) 454-7000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); 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. BMW OF RIVERSIDE (3060 ADAMS STREET, RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA 92504, (951) 373-5000) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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.
Air bags, Jul 16, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL FAULTY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT DURING MINOR ACCIDENT CAUSING NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. IMPACT OCCURED FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE AND AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AFTER VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP AFTER ACCIDENT CAUSING NOSE DAMAGE AND BURN AND BRUISE ON LEFT ARM. IRREGULAR DEPLOYMENT OF AIR BAGS BECAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG AS WELL AS THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO ONE WAS SEATED ON PASSENGER SIDE AND THE DRIVER SIDE VEHICLE SIDE AIRBAG WHERE I WAS SEATED DID NOT DEPLOY.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 10, 2018
VEHICLE HAS TWO OPEN RECALLS. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY RELIEF OR REMEDY FOR OVER NINE (9) MONTHS SINCE NHTSA FIRST PUBLISHED RECALLS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2018
THE AIR BAG DID NOT OPEN AND I ALMOST DIED
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.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jun 18, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY BETWEEN 70-80 MPH. THE ENGINE STALLED AND I WAS UNABLE TO PRESS THE GAS. I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR OFF ON AN EXIT DUE TO MOMENTUM. AFTER SITTING IN A PARKING LOT FOR 30 MINUTES, THE CAR CRANKED BACK UP WITHOUT ANY ISSUE. THE STALLING ISSUE HAS OCCURRED TWICE.