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BMW M3Model year report

2009 BMW M3 Problems

Compared with other BMW M3 years

Typical for this model

50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2011

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
45filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
4,000miles, 39 complaints with mileage
Recalls
5campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 4.0L 8-cyl RWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 BMW M3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW M3. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 24 complaints (53% of the total), followed by air bags (8) and electrical system (6). 39 of the complaints include a mileage, and 82% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 4,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 127 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the inflator module and 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 BMW M3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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.

Also reported: Seats (1), Body and structure (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “The dual clutch transmission (dct) in my car, a 2009 Bmw M3 routinely hesitates when pushing the accelerator in 2nd gear. The hesitation is long enough to have put me and my passengers in grave danger. In fact, it has almost caused a number of accidents when merging with highway traffic. This is unacceptable and needs to be immediately corrected before someone is seriously injured or killed.”

NHTSA complaint #10279187, filed 2009-08, 7,000 miles

Air bags: “I received a recall for the airbag on my car. I contacted Bmw to replace but they were unable to replace at that time. I have tried to contact them since to arrange replacement and they have not returned my calls.”

NHTSA complaint #11318530, filed 2020-03, 45,000 miles

Electrical system: “While trying to exit my e92 2009 M3 from inside the vehicle by double pulling the handle it would not unlock the car. The locking bolt sticks up partially when you pull the handle but doesn't unlock. I had to hit the lock button from the dashboard to unlock the car. This is a safety concern if you are panicked and can't get out of the vehicle under heavy stress.”

NHTSA complaint #10701509, filed 2015-03, 36,800 miles

Engine: “Takata recall driving my car for about 30 minutes on the local street and stopped at a red light, light turns green, I try to accelerate and engine felt sluggish and shuts off. Towed the car to mrf engineering and car needed an engine replacement as my rod bearings caused the engine to fail. Costed roughly around $19,000 in parts and labor.”

NHTSA complaint #11002983, filed 2017-07, 67,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

82% of the 39 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,500 and 36,800 miles.

67%0–103%10–2513%25–5013%50–753%75–1003%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (39 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 4,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2320102014201620182021
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 BMW M3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
M3 RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142016$5,150
M3 RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150
M3 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual132016$5,150
M3 Convertible RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual142016$5,150
M3 Coupe RWD4.0L 8-cyl7-speed automatic142016$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 BMW M3 → · 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. 127 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 127 bulletins →

Other model years of the BMW M3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2018910,7500—20—Not enough data
2016520,0003—20—Not enough data
20131324,0002—16—Not enough data
2012624,6003—16—Not enough data
20113143,3004—160 · FewerFalling
20101556,0004—16—Rising
2009454,0005—1650 · TypicalFalling
20088215,0005—1660 · TypicalRising
20061475,0005—17—Not enough data
20051285,0003—17—Not enough data
20043177,9943—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20035470,7505—17Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20024077,5005—17Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20011454,0004—17—Not enough data
19991161,8001—20—Not enough data
19981471,5001—21—Not enough data
199719—2—21—Stable
19951244,4224—20—Not enough data

All BMW M3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 BMW M3 have?

NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2009 BMW M3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 BMW M3 is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 24 complaints (53% of the total), followed by air bags with 8.

Has the 2009 BMW M3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW M3 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 BMW M3 (M3, 4.0L 8-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 BMW M3 reported?

Among the 39 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 4,000 miles and the middle half falls between 1,500 and 36,800 miles; 82% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

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.