2009 Bmw 1 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (5) · Air Bags (5) · Electrical System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 1 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan 2012-08-10 · campaign 12E029000 · 585 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:front:retractor 2010-06-10 · campaign 10V254000 · 31,935 vehicles
Defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 1-SERIES VEHICLES. IN A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PRE-TENSIONER AND LOAD-LIMITER OCCURS.
Risk: THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
Fix: VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (53)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-01-11 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle ã¢ââdischarged batteryã¢ââ complaints.
Suspension 2023-08-02 · SB23-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
spl parts, inc. communications index accompanying mcp uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
Suspension 2023-07-17 · sb23-01TMS · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is the companion to spl parts, inc.'s sb 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor turner motorsports.
Suspension 2023-07-14 · SB 23-01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
spl parts, inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. sb 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching spl's aftermarket lower control arms,
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility 2020-10-01 · B611305 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
discharged battery energy diagnosis must be performed: the electrical system of bmw vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. this has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. this document covers important information for the dealer on how to
Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) 2018-06-01 · B650709 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
navigation system: reporting missing or incorrect road map data: the route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:
Showing the 6 most recent of 53 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-05-22 · Electrical System · 108,657 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw 1 series. while driving 25 mph, the contact activated the air conditioner, but no air flowed into the vehicle. the contact smelled an electronic burning odor and turned off the air conditioner. the vehicle was taken to bmw of bayside (located at 266 e shore rd, great neck, ny 11023, (516) 304-3700) where the contact …”
2018-02-10 · Electrical System · 122,000 mi“i was driving 40mph and then suddenly all light controls lit up on my dashboard after i noticed i was not able to accelerate, then my windshield wipers came on slowly without myself operating them , as my car came to a complete stop/engine off. after calling road side assistance and waiting 10 mins, the vehicle restarted. recently repaired pvc re…”
2017-05-18 · Air Bags“for last 16 months bmw of north america has not fix the problem on expense of my own safety. when visited bmw dealership they say that bmw has no solution to resolve this problem yet. i am driving every day this car compromising my own safety. when i want to sell this car i can't get fair value price due to the recall problem. potential buyer check…”
2016-12-28 · Air Bags“takata recall. nothing has happen just want my airbags replaced been waiting a long, long time and i haven't heard a thing on recall repairs…”
2016-12-16 · Exterior Lighting · 44,000 mi“right rear roadside parking and tail lamp led failed. these lamps should not fail within this time frame. i was not aware of this issue until i was waming up car and cleaning off snow when i saw the difference.…”
2016-12-13 · Air Bags“takata recall: my driver air bag have yet to be replaced. this is from february 5, 2016. i can't drive my car outside of my town for fear of an accident. this is a sin!!! it's been almost a year. i am even worried about driving in town but trusting my lord and savior for my life safety. takata needs to get the job done for all of us. *tr…”
2016-09-09 · Seat Belts“we received notice of the airbags recall over three months ago, and have been told by dealer, reeves bmw, that the promise parts were to be received by end of summer, are not yet received and they cannot repair vehicle.…”
2016-09-04 · Air Bags“takata recall we were advised by letter in february 2016 that our model had a defective airbag, and that we would be notified when a solution was available. it is now september and still no notice from bmw. considering the fact that older model cars and cars in damp humid climates (we live in florida) would receive first priority, shouldn't we ha…”
2016-06-22 · Exterior Lighting“i have a 2009 528i . while going down the road my headlights when on lowbeams go out . the brights work but not the lowbeams the car control says lowbeam malfunction . first it was the left light and then the rightfront. i have not had this car long and its a wonderful car. but this is not safe and need to know if there has been any recalls for thi…”
2016-06-07 · Air Bags“tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw 123-i. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags) and stated that the part needed was unavailable to perform the recall repair. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure. parts distribution disconnect. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.