2009 Bmw M3 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (19) · Air Bags (7) · Electrical System (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Bmw M3 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
39 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-01-15 · campaign 20V017000 · 59,965 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers 2019-06-19 · campaign 19V472000 · 16,641 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
Electrical System:wiring 2017-10-25 · campaign 17V676000 · 702,965 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2016-02-05 · campaign 16V071000 · 840,000 vehicles
Defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Service bulletins (127)
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2023-10-13 · B340714 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop. cause material-
Equipment:electrical 2022-09-01 · B662419 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible, and the vehicle may not start when placing the key against the steering column.
Electrical System 2022-03-01 · B610322 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the footwell module (frm) cannot be encoded after replacement.
Steering: Steering Wheel/Handle Bar 2021-04-01 · B340414 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of compound brake system complaints in m vehicles: 1. visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees f) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 127 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2021-07-29 · Exterior Lighting:headlights · 84,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 bmw m3. the contact stated while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side turn signal failed to illuminate. additionally, the headlights and dashboard lights would flicker on and off. upon inspection, it was discovered that the electrical wiring insulation was frayed and damaged. the cause of the failure was …”
2020-03-17 · Air Bags · 45,000 mi“i received a recall for the airbag on my car. i contacted bmw to replace but they were unable to replace at that time. i have tried to contact them since to arrange replacement and they have not returned my calls.…”
2018-01-05 · Air Bags“takata recall - i have been waiting 2 years to have this recall done. i was once scheduled to get the service and then after i dropped off the car they called me back and stated that they didnt have the part in.…”
2017-07-04 · Engine · 67,000 mi“takata recall driving my car for about 30 minutes on the local street and stopped at a red light, light turns green, i try to accelerate and engine felt sluggish and shuts off. towed the car to mrf engineering and car needed an "engine replacement" as my rod bearings caused the engine to fail. costed roughly around $19,000 in parts and labor.…”
2017-05-23 · Electrical System · 58,500 mi“vehicle would not start and all electrical systems were dead despite a good battery. was solved by removing glove box and fus box and pushing on the battery cable that goes into the fuse box to get a connection. this is a know issue for bmw and a recall was issued on other 3-series vehicles (2007 - 2011) with the same part numbers, but will not c…”
2017-04-05 · Air Bags“i have been waiting for over one year for my recall to be performed by my local bmw service center. i received a letter stating it was going to be taken care of in may of 2016 (letter was dated march of 2016). i drive my car on a daily basis and run the risk of injury due to the defective airbag. i will not allow family members to drive my dangero…”
2016-12-13 · Air Bags“takata recall - i received notice of my driver side airbag at the beginning of this year but the bmw still does not have the part. this car is my daily driver and i do not have the luxury to have a second car. i am driving a car that is putting my life at risk. bmw states they do not have enough, yet they have plenty to sell millions of new cars. i…”
2016-12-09 · Air Bags · 65,000 mi“takata recall hasn't happened. what is the problem. i guess if you wait we won't be able to complain after it kills us in an accident.…”
2016-10-21 · Service Brakes · 44,300 mi“the car suddenly vibrated and the wheels locked up and skidded slightly sideways before going into a reduced power mode. if it had been raining or snowing, or at a higher speed on highway the situation could have been deadly. i had the car taken to the dealer. i was told a the throttle actuator valve was defective. the car has only 44k miles but h…”
2016-05-04 · Air Bags · 47,500 mi“takata recall hello madam/ sir, i received a safety recall notice - 16v-071 regarding faulty drivers side airbags in my 2009 bmw m3. the notice (attached) clearly states that in an event of airbag getting deployed, the airbag might explode causing serious injury or death.bmw says that they don't have any information of when new parts will be …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.