2009 Bmw 3 SERIES: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
53 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 37 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 53 complaints (28.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 9.4% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 7.5% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 5.7% |
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 | 15 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
Air Bags: 15; Electrical System: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Engine: 5; Exterior Lighting: 5; Unknown Or Other: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 3; Seat Belts: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 8 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 6 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2010: 6; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 4; 2015: 6; 2016: 8; 2017: 10; 2018: 7; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10332649 · 2010-05-28 (May 28, 2010)
PAINT DEFECT ON NEW CAR, 2009 BMW , PURCHASED ON MARCH 2010. THE PAINT IS PEALING IN 4 PLACES. CAR PURCHASED NEW IN MARCH 2010. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS PEALING IS FROM A "EXTERNAL SOURCE". THIS IS NOT PLAUSIBLE AS PEALING IS IN 4 SPOTS, TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. BMWS OWN WARRANTY VENDOR FOR BODY WORK INDICATED THAT IS WAS "APPARENTLY A PAINT DEFECT ".THE BMW REGIONAL INSPECTOR SAID NO, AN EXTERNAL PROBLEM, DENYING WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ( PAINTING )DEFECT.. BMW, OFFERED, A "GOOD FAITH" ADJUSTMENT OF 50% OF REPAIR COST BUT IF IT IS A DEFE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10332649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10333875 · 2010-05-30 (May 30, 2010)
2009 BMW 335I, HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. 9500 MILES ON VEHICLE. ENGINE IS SLOW TO START. WHILE DRIVING AND RPM ABOVE 3000, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND ENGINE REDUCES POWER SIGNIFICANTLY. IF PUMP WERE TO FAIL COMPLETELY, ENGINE WOULD DIE, LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM ON HIGHWAYS WITH DENSE TRAFFIC. AFTER READING INTERNET BLOGS ON VEHICLE, THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT FOR BMW N54 ENGINES. SOME DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE PUMP REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH SAME OUTCOME EACH TIME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10333875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10343247 · 2010-07-14 (July 14, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD EXHIBITED SEVERAL CRACKS VARYING IN SIZE FROM A HAIRLINE CRACK TO CRACKS THE SIZE OF A PENNY. THE DEALER ADVISED HE COULD NOT ASSIST AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO VARIOUS ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WOULD CONTINUE TO FIND CRACKS ON THE WINDSHIELD ON A DAILY BASIS. SHE BELIEVED THE WINDSHIELD TO BE DEFECTIVE. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500. UPDATED 09/29/10. *LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 5,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10343247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345223 · 2010-07-26 (July 26, 2010)
I OWN BMW 320D 2009, MY PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE, AS MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE BY ITS SELF, AS I GO DOWN FROM SAY 75 MPH AND RELEASE THE BRAKES, SUDDENLY THE CAR SPEEDS UP AGAIN. THIS IS HAPPEN TO ME SEVERAL TIMES AND BMW SAYS THIS WAS NOTHING I WAS ASSUMING THIS, AFTER COMPLAINED AND COMPLAINED, FINALLY AN IGINUER LOOKED AT MY CAR AND KEPT IT FOR A DAY, BUT ONLY TO SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. IT KEEPS HAPPENING AND HAPPENING AND BMW DOES NOT REACT, AS I MENTIONED TOYOTA IN ONE OF MY LETTERS TO THEM, THEY ANSWERED ME ANGRY WITH W…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,790 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345223 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345745 · 2010-07-27 (July 27, 2010)
BMW 328I STALLS- NO POWER UPON TAKE OFF AND WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10345745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355239 · 2010-09-13 (September 13, 2010)
I LESSEE A BMW 2009 3 SERIES VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL42 RFT 225/45R17 RUN-FLAT TIRES. I HAVE 9,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, PLUS THE TIRES ARE CUPPING SO BAD ITS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A BRIDGESTONE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE DEFECTIVE BUT HE CAN'T REPLACE THEM BECAUSE IT WAS ONLY TIRES IN 2005 ' 2007. THEY HAVE LOST A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THESE TIRES BEFORE, WHY CANT I GET MINE REPLACED? BY THEM'.. "THE LAWSUIT ALLEGES THAT DEFENDANTS SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10355239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10404374 · 2011-06-03 (June 3, 2011)
ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS SITUATION HAPPENS WHEN EXITING THE HIGHWAY ON HOT DAYS WITH THE AC RUNNING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE SAME SCENARIO. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10404374 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10412296 · 2011-07-14 (July 14, 2011)
2009 BMW 328I WITH 17K MILES MALFUNCTIONED CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED. I WAS INJURED BY THE FIRE GETTING OUT. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS VEHICLE FIRE CAUSING PERSONAL INJURY. IN ADDITION TO THE COST OF THE CAR THERE WAS ADDITIONAL 20K PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY COLLISION OR OPERATOR ERROR. ON 15 NOV 2010 APPROX 7: 30PM AFTER ABOUT 8 MINS OF DRIVING MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SES LIGHT CAME ON. IT ACTED AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS I PULLED OVER OFF OF THE SHOULDER IN THE GRASS. THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP …
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10412296 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Crankcase (Pcv)
Reported: 2022-03-02 (March 2, 2022)
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.
Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗