2009 Bmw 328I problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
193 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
77,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 102 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 193 complaints (32.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 44 | 22.8% |
| Engine operation | 19 | 9.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 15 | 7.8% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 6.2% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 5.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 63 |
| Electrical System | 61 |
| Engine | 47 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 21 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 20 |
| Seat Belts | 14 |
| Steering | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
Air Bags: 63; Electrical System: 61; Engine: 47; Engine And Engine Cooling: 21; Fuel/Propulsion System: 20; Seat Belts: 14; Steering: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 30 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 28 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 30; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 28; 150,000 and above: 5
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 91 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 19 |
| 2017 | 31 |
| 2018 | 39 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 5 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2011: 2; 2012: 6; 2013: 9; 2014: 7; 2015: 13; 2016: 19; 2017: 31; 2018: 39; 2019: 12; 2020: 5; 2021: 4; 2022: 26; 2023: 9; 2024: 2; 2025: 5; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 44 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10524408 · 2013-07-11 (July 11, 2013)
I HAD A LOW BATTERY ISSUE ON MY 2009 BMW 328I ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I HAD IT SERVICED FOR A BATTERY CABLE RECALL AT MOTORWERKS BMW DEALER IN BLOOMINGTON, MN. MOTORWERKS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TIRES PLUS REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY FOR HALF THE PRICE COMPARED TO MOTORWERKS. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AFTERMARKET ALTERNATOR THAT TIRES PLUS INSTALLED CAUSED MY CAR TO OVER HEAT BECAUSE IT WAS OVER CHARGING. I EVENTUALLY TOOK MY CAR BACK TO MOTORWERKS TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR AND B…
Owner-reported narrative. 64,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10524408 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558003 · 2013-12-31 (December 31, 2013)
TL* I WAS DRIVING ON WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE THE CABIN, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY AVOIDED IF THE SONNEN BMW SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD PERFORMED THEIR JOB MORE DILIGENTLY. A WEEK BEFORE THE FIRE, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING RUBBER ODOR WHEN I TURNED ON MY HEATER/DEFROSTER. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR TO SONNEN BMW. THE SERVICE ADVISOR RESPONDED THAT IT WAS NOT BMW'S PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK INTO BMW FOR SERVICE. I ALSO MENTIONED REPEATEDLY THAT I S…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10429030 · 2011-10-07 (October 7, 2011)
I PURCHASED A 2009 BMW 238I. I TOOK IT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON 30 SEPT 11. I DROPPED IT OFF, GOT A LOANER, AND WENT TO WORK. BEFORE I DROPPED IT OFF THAT MORNING THE CAR RAN GREAT, IT HAD NO TICKING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS NOR LOSS OF POWER. I HADN'T HEARD FROM BMW SO I CALLED THEM, THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD TALKED TO BMW NA AND I NEED TO AGREE TO THEM REMOVING MY VALVE COVER, AT MY EXPENSE $700. I SAID THAT I ONLY WANTED AN OIL CHANGE. HE TOLD ME THEY TERMINATED MY WARRANTY. MY WARRANTY WAS FOR 4YR/50,000 MILES, IT HAD NOT EXPIRED. I WAS V…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,473 miles reported. Look up ODI 10429030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10442612 · 2012-01-06 (January 6, 2012)
MAKE : 2009 BMW 328I SEDAN E36 PROBLEM : 11/11 : ENGINE STOP RUNNING, LOSE POWER ASSIST FOR STEERING AND BRAKES. TRIED TO RE-STARTED MY CAR BUT COULD NOT - LONG-CRANK ENGINE STARTING TIMES ALONG WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. TOWED TO BMW OF SAN DIEGO. 1 WEEK REPAIR AND HAD BEEN TOLD FUEL PUMP MODULE NEED TO BE REPLACED. PAID $730.68 FOR REPLACEMENT. 01/12 : SAME PROBLEM - ENGINE STOP RUNNING, LOSE POWER, LONG-CRANK. TOWED TO BMW OF SAN DIEGO AGAIN. HAD BEEN TOLD FUEL PUMP BROKEN AND CAUSE FUEL PUMP MODULE BURNING. PA…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10442612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10483132 · 2012-11-02 (November 2, 2012)
SOON AFTER PURCHASING MY 2009 BMW 328I (WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION), I HAD THE DEALER INSTALL BMW CUSTOMIZED 328I RUBBER FLOOR MATS. THE MATS HAVE A FITTED SLOT FOR THE GAS PEDAL AND ANCHORS TO PREVENT THEM FROM MOVING AFTER INSTALLATION. UNFORTUNATELY, THE LENGTH OF THE MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS TOO SHORT FOR A VEHICLE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHEN YOU DEPRESS AND RELEASE THE CLUTCH, IT CATCHES THE TOP EDGE OF THE MAT AND LIFTS IT UP, COVERING THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT BACK DOWN, YOU END UP STEPPING ON THE MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10483132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479962 · 2012-10-12 (October 12, 2012)
I BEGAN TO FEEL STRONG RAPID PULSATING AND AUDIBLE VIBRATIONS THROUGH STEERING WHEEL EVERY TIME WHEN I PARK THE CAR. ONCE I EXPERIENCED THE SAME WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 25 MPH WHILE MAKING LANE CHANGE TO THE RIGHT. AND THESE VIBRATIONS AND NOISE STILL CONTINUE TO BE FELT SINCE THEN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10732725 · 2015-07-08 (July 8, 2015)
2009 BMW 328I SERIES X DRIVE NOT ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF PARKING SPACE IN PARKING LOT. I HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED. THERE A NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON GM TRANSMISSIONS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS. BMW PRODUCED TO 3/31/2009, EQUIPPED WITH THE 6L45 TRANSMISSION (GA6L45R), MAY EXHIBIT A CONDITION OF NO ENGAGEMENT WHEN SELECTING FORWARD OR REVERSE RANGES.NEED TO DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, TRANSMISSIONS BEING REPLACE ON NEW CAR THEY GO OUT AT 100,000 MILES OR LESS.
Owner-reported narrative. 118,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10732725 at NHTSA ↗