2009 BMW 3 Series Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report airbag recall repairs that were still waiting on parts or remedies, sometimes for many months. Other frequent reports are passenger seat sensors that misread occupancy, sudden engine shutoffs or loss of power, and fuel pump or injector failures. Tail-light, turn-signal and headlamp faults also appear often, and reported mileage varies widely.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Recall repairs waiting on parts or remedies

   • 17 complaints (32%)
   • median 81,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2018

   Owners describe recall notices where the repair had not been completed for many months, because the dealer had no replacement parts or no appointment was available. Some say interim parts were reported as available but not installed, and some say the open recall prevented them from selling or trading in the vehicle. A few complaints about other recalls, including wiring and cooling-related repairs, describe a remedy that was still unavailable. Where mileage is listed it ranges from about 16,800 to 149,000 miles, and the waits described in the text run from several months to over a year.

   What to check: Check the recall status for any open airbag or other recall on this model year, and ask the dealer whether parts are in stock and whether interim parts can be installed. Keep written records of repair requests and dates if the repair is delayed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall # 17v676, 17v683 it has been nearly a year and I'm still unable to make repair appointment with Bmw dealer for reason of parts unavailable. My air conditioning system couldn't keep car cool enough as heat from the engine is high.”

   NHTSA complaint #11131585, filed 2018-09, 78,000 miles

   “The air bag has been recalled for over a year and I am still waiting for my appointment to fix the matter. When the recall first happened I was very pregnant and I called Bmw telling them I was concerned. They said that it would be fixed by 9/16 and I am still waiting and my baby will turn 1 on july 1,2017. When will my air bags be fixed? This is a serious and dangerous matter.”

   NHTSA complaint #11001847, filed 2017-06
2. 2
   Engine

   Sudden engine shutoffs or loss of power while driving

   • 13 complaints (25%)
   • median 58,500 mi at 6.5 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2018

   Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving without warning, including in traffic and while turning. Some report that the car would not restart after stalling, and others describe a check engine light and reduced power beforehand. A complaint links a shutdown to hot days with the air conditioning running. Where mileage is listed, the events range from about 10 to 71,000 miles, and some happened in heavy traffic or on highways.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the power-reduction and no-start service bulletins, for example the one describing lost power with the engine cranking but not starting, have been performed. Ask the dealer to read stored fault codes after any check engine light, since complaints describe a light and reduced power before a shutdown.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On thursday, august 18, 2011, my 2009 328i shut down without notice in the middle lane of I-90 at mile marker 80.002 about a mile from ohare airport in chicago. It was unable to restart and I was left to call 911 and spend 10 minutes waiting for DOT to tow me off the middle of the highway and to a residential neighborhood to wait another hour for aaa to tow my car to perillo Bmw in chicago to assess the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10422252, filed 2011-08, 38,000 miles

   “On the highway stuck in traffic going about 30-35 MPH the car suddenly shuts off. This has happened 6-7 times now. 2 of those times I was taking a slow left hand turn it has died in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic almost hitting me. 2009 Bmw 335d.”

   NHTSA complaint #10663087, filed 2014-12, 71,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel pump and injector faults with stalls or misfires

   • 9 complaints (17%)
   • median 58,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe fuel pump failures, sometimes after a pump was already replaced, with the car losing power, stopping on the highway or the engine dying. Others describe fuel injectors that leak or fail, with misfires and a check engine light. A complaint links a fuel level reading problem to a fuel tank sensor, and according to complaints the dealer replaced the pump and tank in some cases. Mileage varies widely in these reports, from very low figures to about 111,000 miles, and some failures occurred on the highway.

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump or injector repairs have been done, and check the repair history for repeat visits, since some complaints describe the fault returning after a replacement. Ask the dealer to check the fuel tank sensor reading and stored fault codes after any power loss or misfire.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “4 months ago my car stopped suddenly mechanic changed fuel pump , couple weeks after that it happens again I took it back and the mechanic said everything is ok , I went home and today I was driving on the highway when the car suddenly stopped again, I was so scared I just want to know if you going to fix this problem”

   NHTSA complaint #11197032, filed 2019-04, 89,800 miles

   “Car was running very bad both check engine lights came on with one blinking total loss of power. The car was taken to certified Bmw dealer who replaced fuel injectors, valve and tuned it up cost 3500 didn't solve the problem they said it's gas to air ratio is not correct the car misfiring on all cylinders the Bmw dealer wants to charge me another 1600-2700 dollars to fix it. After picking the car up after the first repaired I was back in 2 days later. Dreyer and reinbold is the dealership. Updated 11/24/2014”

   NHTSA complaint #10592236, filed 2014-05, 58,000 miles
4. 4
   Exterior lighting

   Tail light, turn signal and headlamp faults

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 32,500 mi at 5.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2016

   Owners describe LED tail or turn signal lights that dim, flicker or stop working, sometimes with a bulb-out warning on the dashboard. Rapidly blinking turn signals are also described, and a complaint describes headlamp shake over bumps and mentions broken adaptive headlamp bracket arms. According to complaints, some repairs were declined as out of warranty, even where a service bulletin existed. Where mileage is listed, reports range from about 10 to 80,000 miles, and a complaint describes the second light failing a few months after a repair on the first.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect all tail, turn signal and headlamp lights, including any dashboard bulb warnings, and ask whether the LED light module bulletin has been performed. Ask the dealer about warranty coverage for light repairs, since complaints describe repairs declined as out of warranty.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Upon returning to seattle, wa, since I flew down to berkley, ca to purchase my vehicle, I noticed excessive headlamp shake when going over any bumps on the highway, especially expansion joints. Both left and right headlamps shake equally as bad, and I consider that a safety hazard while driving. It is very distracting and searching many online forums, people have been having many issues with the adaptive headlamp bracket arms being broken. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10667652, filed 2014-12, 80,000 miles

   “I think Bmw needs to look into a recall for the tail lights on the 3 - series models from 09 and up. The circuit board for the LED signal lights malfunctions and some of the LED's stop working. When those few stop working, it affects the entire circuit and the rest are very dim/not visible. This also causes the warning indicator on the dash to come up advising that you have a burnt out bulb . I have already had my drivers side replaced a couple of months ago and now the passenger side is having issues. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10545251, filed 2013-09, 27,900 miles
5. 5
   Air bags

   Passenger seat sensor and airbag warning faults

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 79,500 mi at 7.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2018

   Owners describe a passenger occupancy sensor that misreads whether a seat is occupied, so the airbag or seat belt warning turns on or off unexpectedly. Some describe the passenger airbag being disabled, and a warning that stays on even when the seat is empty. Some complaints say similar sensors were recalled on other models, and a complaint says the repair cost is excessive. Where mileage is given, the reports range from about 68,000 to 102,000 miles, and a complaint mentions that the car had been stored in extreme heat beforehand.

   What to check: Check whether the passenger seat sensor and airbag warning are active at startup with and without a passenger, and ask the dealer whether this sensor is covered by any recall for this model year. Ask for the repair history if the warning has returned after a previous repair.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I turned on my vehicle one day and a message saying passenger restraint system malfunction. Continue to wear seatbelt. Bring to local Bmw dealership. The day before nothing happen as I was driving home from dallas to houston. Occasionally as I drive with someone sitting in the passenger seat, the warning goes away but then the chime goes off and the message reappears. This happen all in june, july, and august. Now even when no one is sitting on the passenger side, the warning comes on and stays on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10765127, filed 2015-09, 75,000 miles

   “The car was stored outside in extreme heat during the month of april - 90+ degrees for over 3 weeks. (in florida) air bag sensor and seat belt sensor on passenger side, incorrectly alerting, when someone or no one was in the seat. Now the sensor is on all the time. Also the fan which cools the engine was extremely loud and on every morning when car was started.”

   NHTSA complaint #10720954, filed 2015-05, 68,000 miles

Buying note. Before buying, check whether any airbag or other recall repair is still open, since several complaints describe long waits for parts. Ask about the passenger seat sensor, fuel pump and lighting repair history, and check the lights and dashboard warnings during a test drive.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 44 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.