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.
Electrical system, Engine, Feb 23, 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). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. BMW OF CRYSTAL LAKE (360 N, STATE RTE 31, CRYSTAL LAKE, IL) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WERE 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, Feb 22, 2018, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 3281. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, SMOKE AND FLAMES EMERGED FROM THE HOOD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND KNEES; HOWEVER, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Engine, Feb 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (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. THE CONTACT CALLED BRIAN HARRIS BMW (12336 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70817) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
Electrical system, Feb 12, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICIAL 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. THE CONTACT CALLED BRIAN HARRIS BMW (12336 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70817) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Engine, Feb 8, 2018
I HAD TO REPLACE THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION PCV VALVE HEATER AND HARNESS IN APRIL OF 2017 BECAUSE IT MELTED. THIS COST ME $3000 AT PATRICK BMW IN SCHAUMBURG, IL. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECAL # 17V-683 CONCERNING THIS. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BMW ABOUT THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I'M LOOKING TO GET REIMBURSED FOR MY OUT OF POCKET CHARGES. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE CLOSEST DEALER, I WAS TOLD I HAD TO WAIT TO RECEIVE THE REIMBURSEMENT. THEREFORE, I'D LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. IN ADDITION, I SMELL A BURNT SMELL FROM TIME TO TIME. I KNOW THERE IS A BLOWER MOTOR RECALL AS WELL. I'VE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR ON MY CAR SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNING IT. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT THE SMELL - I WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF A BURNING SMELL. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE THE SMELL IS NOT CONSTANT ONLY ON OCCASION. MY FEAR IS MY CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE AND CAUSE DAMAGE TO ME OR MY PROPERTY. PLEASE TELL ME MY RIGHTS CONCERNING FILING A CLAIM ON BOTH RECALLS. ONE FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND THE OTHER FOR REPLACING THE BLOWER MOTOR.
Power train, Engine, Feb 7, 2018
THERE IS A BLUE LEAK ON THE GROUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WAS FILLED UP AND WENT EMPTY WITH INT WEEKS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Jan 27, 2018
TAMARA RECALL: RECALL ON BATTERY TERMINAL; AIR BAG; BLOWER MOTOR; HEAT VALVE: RECALL 10/27/17: NOTIFIED DEALER: NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR ANY RECALL; DON'T KNOW WHEN WILL BE AVAILABLE. WAIT YOU WILL RECEIVE INFORMATION BY MAIL WHEN AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 26, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. WHENEVER THE CONTACT PLACED FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK, SHE COULD ONLY FUEL THE TANK TWO DOLLARS WORTH AT A TIME TO FILL THE TANK. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED BMW OF WEST HOUSTON AT (855) 627-3055 (LOCATED AT 20822 KATY FWY, KATY, TX 77449) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING).
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2018
SCHOMP BMW, CAR DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN HIGHLANDS RANCH COLORADO, IS ILLEGALLY SELLING RECALL AFFECTED BMWS. THE ABOVE VIN IS ONLY ONE OF SEVERAL BMW'S SOLD LAST MONTH WITHOUT THE DEALER REPAIRING THE NHTSA BMW US BLOWER MOTOR WIRING HARNESS RECALL. ANOTHER RECALLED AFFECTED BMW 3 SERIES SCHOMP BMW SOLD IN THE PAST 60 DAYS: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 24, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (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 REPAIRS. THE BMW DEALER (BMW OF PALM SPRINGS, 3865 E PALM CANYON DR, PALM SPRINGS, CA 92264, (760) 202-8951) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER OF 2018. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 23, 2018
HEAT NOT WORKING ON CAR. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE BEFORE RECALL IS FIXED. PLUS, I AM FREEZING IN WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERSHIP BMW HAS NOT RELEASED PARTS TO FIX. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 16, 2018
I HAVE AN AIRBAG WARNING AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HAS AN AIRBAG RECALL. MANY MECHANICS THAT SPECIALIZE IN BMW MODELS KEEP TELLING ME THE SAME THING,.
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats, Jan 16, 2018
ISSUE: WHEN SEAT UNOCCUPIED, WILL RECEIVE SEAT BELT WARNING AS IF A PERSON IS IN THE SEAT. ISSUE: WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT, AIRBAG AND SEAT BELT LIGHT COMES ON, WITH WARNING ON THE DISPLAY THAT THERE IS A RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. DEFECT WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR MAT, THERE ARE SEVERAL RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE IN DIFFERENT YEARS/MODELS. MY YEAR IS NOT COVERED FOR THE CURRENT RECALLS, EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, AND LIKELY THE SAME MAT AND/OR SEATS. EXAMPLE RECALLS: 17V-428 13V-564 17V-605
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 11, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE HEATING SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER (BMW OF FREEPORT, 291 W SUNRISE HWY, FREEPORT, NY 11520) 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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Air bags, Jan 4, 2018, crash
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS CAME ON, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP, I HIT A GARBAGE CAN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED
Air bags, Dec 27, 2017
TAKATA RECALL IN LATE SEPTEMBER I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A ROUGHLY 3 WEEK WAIT FOR PARTS. CALLED AGAIN THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE 4-6 WEEK WAIT. I'M STILL GETTING THE RUN AROUND BY BMW OF DALLAS AND BELIEVE THEY MAY BE ONLY HELPING SELECT PEOPLE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 26, 2017
2 RECALLS NEEDED: 17V-676: BLOWER MOTOR WIRING AND 17V-683: PCV VALVE HEATER. GOT A LETTER FROM BMW SAYING THESE RECALLS ARE NOT READY BUT MY CAR HAS A REALLY BAD BURNING SMELL FROM THE AIR VENTS AND NEED IT FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 20, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING OIL UNDER THE ENGINE VALVE COVER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V683000 (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. PLAZA BMW (11858 OLIVE BLVD, CREVE COEUR, MO) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Dec 18, 2017
UNABLE TO OPEN DOOR, HESITATION TO START, ABNORMAL DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2013 FOR BATTERY CABLE CONNECTOR AT BATTERY AND FUSE BOX. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY NOTIFICATION.
Electrical system, Dec 11, 2017
BURNING ODOR WHEN HEATING AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING ACTIVATED.
Electrical system, Engine, Dec 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION IN OCTOBER OF 2017. THE CONTACT CALLED CENTER BMW DEALER (5201 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91401, 910-907-99595) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Electrical system, Dec 8, 2017
THE CAR HAS HAD A STRONG SMELL OF MELTING PLASTIC COMING FROM THE AIR FLOW IN THE VEHICLE. IT HAS HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF 3 WEEKS AND NOT SURE WHAT THE MELTING PLASTIC IS COMING FROM. IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND ESPECIALLY WORSE WHEN THE HEATER IS ON.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2017
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 UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (ADVANTAGE BMW MIDTOWN, 1305 GRAY ST, HOUSTON, TX 77002) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-831-1117 AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO CALL THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER TRANSFERRED THE CALL TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL BACK TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM THE DEALER. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Dec 7, 2017
2009 BMW 335I. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. UPDATED 12/7/2017*JS
Electrical system, Dec 4, 2017
MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING PLASTIC BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE FROM THE COOLING VENTS, BMW HAS OPENED A RECALL BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS.