2009 BMW 3 Series: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 53 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (24% of complaints); the 2010 and 2011 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2019
“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 care of. I was told the water pump, I think was not working? It was working when I dropped it off? If it was overheating I could have never been able to drive it. Please help me figure out our to resolve this issue. I need my car and I'm regretting taking it in for a recall now.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2018
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2018
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2017
“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..”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2017
“Takata recall - received safety recall notice via mail 07-03-2017 that necessary parts to complete this recall were available but bmw dealership in birmingham, al stated parts were not available when I called to make a service appointment. The bmw rep told me to call back in a few weeks - parts might be available. I'm confused as to why I would receive this notice if parts were not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2017
“Spoke to bmw today they are now talking about the parts not coming in until 2017. They have no idea what month so I could still be over a year away from resolving this. I cant even sell the car or trade it in because they cant resale it without correcting the recall. Acura was paying for a loaner car until the recall was corrected I guess bmw feels its owners are more expendable??”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“Takata recall: my local dealer still says they do not have the parts to service my car. I was notified last winter that my car was unsafe, and I still do not have the airbag fixed. I checked the recall site and it says interim parts are available but the dealer will not install them! When will this be complete. Am I driving a time bomb?”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“We came home and parked the bmw in the attached garage. Ten minutes later I heard a noise from the garage. I looked into the garage and found the engine compartment of the bmw on fire. I called the fire department who came as quickly as a volunteer department can. By the time the fire was out both cars in the garage and the house had been badly burned.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact 3 Series 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 3 Series reliable?
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 BMW 3 Series. The most complained-about area is air bags (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 BMW 3 Series problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv). 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.