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2009 BMW 3 Series

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2009 BMW 3 Series do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 23.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

38 reports with mileage · 15 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

2 reports
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30,000 miles · Oct 17, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED NECK INJURIES AND THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. TWO PASSENGERS SUFFERED NECK INJURIES AND THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10430518

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2009 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAINTENANCE WAS NOT PERFORMED AS INDICATED ON THE INVOICE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID A COMPARISON OF THE BRAKE FLUID BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND AFTER HE RETURNED FROM THE DEALER AND THE PICTURES SHOWED …

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2009 BMW 328I. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT REGARDING MAINTENANCE PERFORMANCE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE MAINTENANCE WAS NOT PERFORMED AS INDICATED ON THE INVOICE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DID A COMPARISON OF THE BRAKE FLUID BEFORE HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND AFTER HE RETURNED FROM THE DEALER AND THE PICTURES SHOWED THE BRAKE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10424808

Official recalls

1

22V119000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

Mar 2, 2022

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.