2009 BMW 3 Series Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 19%of 53 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,850miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the fuel system of the 2009 BMW 3 Series, 19% of the 53 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,850 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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“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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10412296, filed 2011-07, 17,000 miles“Fuel injectors began leaking and have become faulty causing mis-firing. Bmw had a similar recall involving cars with the same model year and engine as my car but has refused to claim it was also involved in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11113924, filed 2018-07, 1 miles“When crossing an intersection engine lost power and power steering went out. Took car to Bmw dealership and they said the fuel pump went out and the pump and tank have to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10744390, filed 2015-07, 104,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10043687Oct 1, 2012Bmw: the evaporative system leakage is found, when using the nvld tank leakage test plan. *pe updated 1/18/13.
- 10039765Jan 1, 2012Bmw: the service engine soon light is on while driving. This is a programming issue. *rm updated 1/4/12. *pe updated 4/24/12.
- 10035009Jan 1, 2012Bmw vehicle: teileclearing for diagnostic module tank leakage (dmtl) system. Teileclearing process has been developed to help identify the root causes of customer complaints…
- 10040368Dec 1, 2010Bmw service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. There may be a problem with the fuel pump which could not meet emissions requirements. There may be a long…
- 10037076Sep 1, 2010Bmw: there is an extraction and refilling process for the desiel exhaust fluid. E70 and e90 models.
- 10036984Jun 1, 2010Bmw: it is now possible to perform a fuel quality detection test on vehicles with an n54 engine.
- 10036981Jun 1, 2010Bmw: warning message on about low diesel exhaust fuel level and that the engine will not restart within 999 miles. The light comes on a few thousand miles earlier than a…
- 10033130Dec 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: fuel level sensor repairs. Where it is necessary to replace the right or the left side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing or delivery…
- 10033131Oct 1, 2009Bmw vehicles: engine cranks but does not start; fuel level gauge displays a sufficient amount of fuel, although the fuel tank is empty; fault code 2a1c (fuel level plausibility)…
- 10032989Dec 1, 2007Bmw: fuel level sensor repair procedure. The case where it is necessary to replace the right side fuel level sensor due to a failure, the entire pump and housing does not need to…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 2 | 29% |
| 2010 | 3 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 19% |
| 2008 | 8 | 12% |
| 2007 | 12 | 10% |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 1 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 17% |
| 2000 | 2 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2009 BMW 3 Series
15 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