2009 BMW 135I: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern fuel system, gasoline; the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jan 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tail lights burn out and require entire housing to be replaced instead of just bulbs. Led's burn out very quickly, contrary to typical led's and are costly to replace”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2021
“The wiring of my 2009 bmw headlights, both sides, has its insulation disintegrate, exposing bare copper wire (as it is made of biodegradable material) to the point where my daytime running lights have shorted out and the adaptive headlight control on the passenger headlight is stuck at an angle that is too high. As these are adaptive headlights, a short here can render the car's headlight in a blinding state. Local shops want to charge $900+ per light housing to completely replace the light assembly.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Sep 2019
“High pressure fuel pump is bad in car. The car goes into limp mode on highway when passing car leaving you no power to get out of the way of car going 75 mph. Bmw knows it bad but will not help!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Wiring inside headlight assembly has insufficiently insulated wiring. The wire insulation is flaking off due to heat exposure from normal operating conditions. This is a safety problem. Fire potential. Lights could stop working while driving at night.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2017
“Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 bmw 135i. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v071000 (air bags); however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 07/12/16*lj updated 07/14/16. *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2016
“My 2009 bmw 135i began experiencing "long cranks" when attempting to start the engine cold. While driving at freeway speeds the car began experiencing intense vibration when accelerating. Following the vibration, the car experienced lack of power and engine light was illuminated. This could result in loss of control at highway speeds and should be further investigated due to the frequency of this problem with bmw's hpfp. The dealership updated the cars software and replaced the high pressure fuel pump. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw 135i. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the engine off when the vehicle exhibited an unusual noise. The contact started the vehicle and a noise was exhibited from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised that the vehicle would need to be reprogrammed. The contact declined the repair. In addition, the contact stated that he received a recall letter from the manufacturer regarding certain bmws having problems with the fuel pump and reprogramming the vehicle if a warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,500 and the current mileage was 8,500.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2010
“2009 bmw 135i high pressure fuel pump failure. This has been a bad problem with 3 model years (2008, 2009, and 2010) of bmw 135i cars. Luckily my car was fixed due to long start cranks before the common symptom of engine dying during driving conditions. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2010
“Car running rough, miss-firing, and loss of power while in traffic. November 2009 occurrence, high pressure fuel pump replaced. January 2010 occurrence, dealer requested permission to replace parts called for under the fault code, bmw na refused to grant permission. March 2010 occurrence, dealer requested permission to replace parts called for under the fault code, bmw na refused to grant permission.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2010
“Vehicles affected: bmw 135i, 335i, 535i...any bmw using the n54 engine will have a part called the high pressure fuel pump. Mine has failed on me twice, the first time the pump failed I was stationary. Second time the pump failed I was driving at 60km/h and tried to accelerate to overtake...the pump failed and vehicle had shut off and instant loss of power causing cars to rapidly brake. This is a serious issue and can be dangerous if the problem happens randomly and unexpected. Bmw has tried to address this issue by issuing new parts...I have obtained new parts and I am on my 3rd pump and this is showing signs of failure.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Feb 2010
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: 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.
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 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: 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.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact 135I by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 BMW 135I reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 BMW 135I. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline.
Does the 2009 BMW 135I have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.