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Electrical systemPart report

2009 BMW 128I Electrical system Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
19%of 26 total for the year
Median mileage
77,258miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 BMW 128I, 19% of the 26 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,258 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Purchased this car yesterday (06/08/2019), and after buying it noticed that the prometer was disconnected and the wipers, which they said would be fixed, had been disconnected. The car died on me when we were driving at around 35 MPH and all lights came on on the dash board. I went back to the dealer and he said I bought the car as is and did not let me even tell him about the odometer. He promised to fix the wipers on thursday, though.”

NHTSA complaint #11218814, filed 2019-06, 75,758 miles

“When we saw the car we noticed the wipers were on and would not quit. The manager of the dealer told us he would get it fixed, that this was no problem. When we came back, the wipers were off and we did not check them. After we left, the car died on us and all the lights came on on the dash. We drove back to the dealer and told them we wanted our money back, but he said that we had bought the car as is and that meant that we had no recourse. …”

NHTSA complaint #11218811, filed 2019-06, 78,758 miles

“My electric water pump failed and my car overheated 3 times (once resulting in thick white smoke coming from the engine) tow trucks were called and fire department notified. Car is now unused on drive way as it just overheats constantly when turned on.”

NHTSA complaint #11609838, filed 2024-08

“The contact owns a 2009 Bmw 128I. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The contact also noticed that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle drastically reduced speed as if it might stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13v044000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Updated 04/13/16 the blower motor was replaced. Updated 04/20/16.”

NHTSA complaint #10820078, filed 2016-01

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201326%
201213%
2011714%
201029%
2009519%
2008211%

Other parts of the 2009 BMW 128I

Air bags
10 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 BMW 128I

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology