2009 BMW 335I: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 85 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (26% of complaints); the 2010 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2024
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2009 BMW 335I. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the air bag warning illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the result was unknown. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2026
“The contact owns a 2009 BMW 335I. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V017000 (AIR BAGS); however, shortly after the vehicle was retrieved, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 102,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2025
“Car caught fire in driveway spontaneously. It had not been used since the previous day and had been sitting atleast 16 hours since last use. We woke up and black smoke and flames coming from car taller than our house. Significant damage to other three cars in driveway and side of our house. Car that caught fire is totaled”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“I turned my car on an out of nowhere a seatbelt and airbag light came on. I did not get into a bump up or disconnect any sensors it just popped up one day.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2022
“Multiple misfiring due to faulty injectors. Bmw has revised the part 12 times. This is a very common and known problem in the EU where a recall was issued.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2021
“Driving down the freeway at 60mph my sunroof exploded. No cars were in front of my vehicle ruling out a rock. It was coupled with a loud noise and glass falling into the car and down the back of the car.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2021
“The contact owns a 2009 BMW 335I. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently entered limp mode with the service transmission warning message on the instrument panel. The contact restarted the vehicle and cleared all warning codes before he resumed normal driving. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. A DTC reader determined that the cause of the failure was related to a defective fuel pump. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2021
“Randomly while driving and sometimes when stationary my car's electrical system started going haywire including my gauges and the passenger airbag as well some other safety features with tthe seatbelt were disabled with & without a passenger in the car. I keep getting a warning screen that tread as follows: "restraint system malfunction. Fault in passenger-restraint system affecting airbag, belt tensioner or belt-force limiter. Continue to wear the safety belt. Have the system checked by the nearest bmw center." after looking online it is a common problem but for some reason my VIN isn't included on the recall.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2020
“Pass. Seat mat sensor malfunction it cracks and causes a saftey issue where if the car is to crash the airbag would not go off on the passenger side.”Owner report · Seats · Aug 2020
“I was driving on the interstate when my car started to lose acceleration. I could not accelerate up an incline. Then I heard a rattling. The next exit was a rest stop and as I was exiting my vehicle failed and shut down. I had no power at all. I coasted to a parking stall and turned the vehicle off after parking it safely. When I opened the hood the vehicle was not hot or smoking so I tried to start it. The car started but with a very loud knocking and rattling so I shut it off again and phoned the dealership. I towed the vehicle to the dealership over 30 days ago and have not been contacted by them not 1x. I have called weekly to no avail.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
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 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.
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 335I 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 335I reliable?
NHTSA has 85 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 BMW 335I. The most complained-about area is air bags (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 BMW 335I problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 BMW 335I have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring. 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.