2009 Bmw 3 Series problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Air Bags (11) · Fuel/Propulsion System (6) · Exterior Lighting (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw 3 Series model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
37 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (Pcv) 2022-03-02 · campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles
Defect: 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 SA
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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 ow
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.
Service bulletins (89)
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 2025-03-13 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 186,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2025-02-20 · B012016 · Warranty Program/Extension
the footwell module (frm) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship has been supplementarily increased to 15 years / 240,000 miles as determined from the original first in-service / delivery date.
Electrical System 2024-01-16 · B510819 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 89 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-04-17 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 89,800 mi“4 months ago my car stopped suddenly mechanic changed fuel pump , couple weeks after that it happens again i took it back and the mechanic said everything is ok , i went home and today i was driving on the highway when the car suddenly stopped again, i was so scared i just want to know if you going to fix this problem…”
2018-09-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1,410,000 mi“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 ca…”
2018-09-25 · Engine · 78,000 mi“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.…”
2018-09-20 · Engine“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 …”
2018-07-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 1 mi“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.…”
2018-06-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 111,318 mi“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. ap…”
2018-05-17 · Visibility/Wiper · 150,000 mi“sunroof exploded while driving home, powerful implosion, glass everywhere.…”
2018-05-09 · Seats · 84,000 mi“hello, my 2009 bmw e92 328i is experiencing an issue where the front passenger seat sensor is not functioning properly, which will cause the airbag and seatbelt to not function as intended. there have been recalls on other models for the same issue, but with the same design and parts, i do not understand how my car is not covered. (https://brandila…”
2017-12-04 · Electrical System · 149,000 mi“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.…”
2017-11-26 · Seats · 102,000 mi“front passenger occupancy seat sensor is defective because it disables passenger airbag creating a safety hazard rendering vehicle inoperable for passenger occupancy. this is a known defect experienced by previous models. cost of repair is excessive..…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.