2009 BMW 1 Series Problems
- Complaints
- 18filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 35,818miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 BMW 1 Series (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW 1 Series. The part named most often is air bags, with 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (6) and electrical system (4). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,818 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 53 technical service bulletins for this model year. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Exterior lighting complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Air bags7 39%
- Exterior lighting6 33%
- Electrical system4 22%
- Engine1 5.6%
- Seat belts1 5.6%
- Seats1 5.6%
- Tires1 5.6%
- Wheels1 5.6%
Example complaints
Air bags: “On november 28, 2014, my wife and I purchased a 2009 Bmw 1-series convertible from a local chrysler dealer. We also purchased an extended warranty contract through the dealer. A few weeks later, my wife noticed the air bag icon on the dashboard was lit and a air bag off light located above the rear view mirror stayed on. We contacted the dealer to have it checked but the dealer could not diagnose the problem since they did have the diagnostic equipment to do so.they suggested that we take to a repair shop that had the equipment to test it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683388, filed 2015-02, 46,100 milesExterior lighting: “Right rear roadside parking and tail lamp LED failed. These lamps should not fail within this time frame. I was not aware of this issue until I was waming up car and cleaning off snow when I saw the difference.”
NHTSA complaint #10935634, filed 2016-12, 44,000 milesElectrical system: “I was driving 40mph and then suddenly all light controls lit up on my dashboard after I noticed I was not able to accelerate, then my windshield wipers came on slowly without myself operating them , as my car came to a complete stop/engine off. After calling road side assistance and waiting 10 mins, the vehicle restarted. Recently repaired pvc recall and uncertain if pcv was detrimental to other components that were not replaced due to the pcv. Battery read as good per mechanic.”
NHTSA complaint #11072056, filed 2018-02, 122,000 milesElectronic stability control: “Car was purchased with an extended warranty for up to 100,000.I kept experiencing the car vibrating as well as the low oil light appearing within weeks of servicing the car was taken back numerous times and was told they could not find anything while car was under warranty . In july aprrox at 106,000 my check engine light appeared was taken only to Bmw for solve the issue have paid over $3800.00 for repair and light is still on. Was taken on friday sept 18 and on sunday sept 20 the light is on again. Spark plugs have been changed twice with 2 months this cannot be right. …”
NHTSA complaint #10766298, filed 2015-09Mileage when problems were reported
75% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 22,000 and 46,100 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
- 10V254000Jun 10, 2010Seat belts › Front › RetractorCovers: BMW 1 Series 2008–2011
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 1-series vehicles. In a crash of sufficient severity, deployment of the front pre-tensioner and load-limiter occurs.
Recall details for the 2009 BMW 1 Series → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 53 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10249027Jan 11, 2024Electrical system. The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers…
- 10240305Aug 2, 2023Equipment, Steering, Suspension. Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
- 10240273Jul 17, 2023Suspension, Steering, Equipment. This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.
- 10240266Jul 14, 2023Equipment, Suspension, Steering. SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01…
- 10182619Oct 1, 2020Equipment, Electrical system. Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased…
- 10145306Jun 1, 2018Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for…
- 10143564May 1, 2018Equipment. NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for…
- 10057335Oct 1, 2014Equipment. Bmw: the camshaft (vanos) adjustment units, on certain vehicle, had the limited warranty extended, without the limitation of mileage, to 10 years.
- 10045283Oct 1, 2014Engine. Bmw: experiencing loss of engine power, service engine soon lamp is illuminated, a noise, like rattling, coming from engine compartment. *pe updated 10/31/12. *pe models 2010 e70, 71, 82, 88, 90…
- 10056099Jun 1, 2014Electrical system, Other or unknown. Bmw: when using iphone, various connectivity failures occur, such as disconnection of call, list of contacts incomplete, due to the variants and software used. Model 2008-2014.
Other model years of the BMW 1 Series
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 33 | 24,974 | 2 | — | — | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Stable |
| 2010 | 8 | 25,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 18 | 35,818 | 1 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 18 | 71,000 | 2 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2007 | 6 | 78,750 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 5 | 62,500 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 BMW 1 Series have?
NHTSA recorded 18 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW 1 Series as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2009 BMW 1 Series is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 7 complaints (39% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 6.
Has the 2009 BMW 1 Series been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2009 BMW 1 Series reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,818 miles and the middle half falls between 22,000 and 46,100 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.