2009 BMW 3 Series Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 28%of 53 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2009 BMW 3 Series, 28% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Recall on february 5, 2016, Bmw has failed to replace the airbag in almost nine months! What good is a possible death recall if the manufacturer does not replace the airbag?”
NHTSA complaint #10918032, filed 2016-10, 16,800 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“Takata recall - received safety recall notice via mail 07-03-2017 that necessary parts to complete this recall were available but Bmw dealership in birmingham, al stated parts were not available when I called to make a service appointment. The Bmw rep told me to call back in a few weeks - parts might be available. I'm confused as to why I would receive this notice if parts were not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11002848, filed 2017-07Related service bulletins
- 10037078Sep 1, 2010Bmw: the airbag warning lamp is illuminated due to a software error.
- 10037050Aug 1, 2010Bmw: operating description of the passenger airbag status light.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3 | 14% |
| 2012 | 1 | 14% |
| 2010 | 10 | 33% |
| 2009 | 15 | 28% |
| 2008 | 10 | 15% |
| 2007 | 35 | 30% |
| 2006 | 101 | 50% |
| 2005 | 16 | 64% |
| 2004 | 15 | 19% |
| 2003 | 21 | 29% |
| 2002 | 6 | 23% |
| 2001 | 8 | 22% |
| 2000 | 11 | 13% |
| 1999 | 3 | 50% |
| 1997 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2009 BMW 3 Series
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 BMW 3 Series
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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