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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

53 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2015
Unknown Or Other

INSIDE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE MELTING

NHTSA ODI #10732000

68,000 miles · May 22, 2015
Air Bags

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 EV…

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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 ODI #10720954

80,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobilityExterior Lighting

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 SEA…

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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. CPO WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER HEADLAMPS ACCORDING TO BMW, AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR BOTH REPLACEMENTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667652

71,000 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Engine

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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663087

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2014
Air BagsCrashInjury

NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN OUR CAR ACCIDENT. WE WERE AT A STAND STILL, OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY AND ANOTHER CAR HIT US IN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PANEL NEAR THE TIRE, AT HIGH IMPACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10649176

58,000 miles · May 18, 2014
Engine

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…

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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 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592236

32,500 miles · Dec 22, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

2009 BMW 328I, THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AT TIMES BLINKS RAPIDLY AND A WARNING OF LIGHT PROBLEM ILLUMINATES. THE DIRECTIONAL BLINKS FAST AND LIGHT IS DULL ON EXTERIOR TAIL AND FRONT LAMPS. AT TIMES WORKS NORMALLY AND THEN BEGINS TO BLINK RAPIDLY WITH A BELL WARNING AND ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT SIGN DISPLAYS. THIS PROBLEM HAS KNOWN T…

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2009 BMW 328I, THE DIRECTIONAL LIGHT AT TIMES BLINKS RAPIDLY AND A WARNING OF LIGHT PROBLEM ILLUMINATES. THE DIRECTIONAL BLINKS FAST AND LIGHT IS DULL ON EXTERIOR TAIL AND FRONT LAMPS. AT TIMES WORKS NORMALLY AND THEN BEGINS TO BLINK RAPIDLY WITH A BELL WARNING AND ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT SIGN DISPLAYS. THIS PROBLEM HAS KNOWN TO BMW AS THE SERVICE DEALERS RECEIVED A BULLETIN. WILL NOT COVER IF OUT OF WARRANTY BUT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE ENUMERATED BY MANY CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556983

27,900 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Exterior Lighting

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…

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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. THERE ARE ALSO SEVERAL OTHERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE ONLINE. THERE ARE MANY UNITS FOR SALE ON EBAY AND IN THE ITEM DESCRIPTION THEY INDICATE THAT A FEW OF THE LED'S AREN'T WORKING. AN LED CIRCUIT BOARD THAT IS ONLY A FEW YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES AND CONSUMERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATES SINCE IT AFFECTS SAFETY SINCE THE SIGNAL LIGHTS/HAZARDOUS LIGHTS DON'T FUNCTION PROPERLY. THIS COINCIDES WITH THE RECALL THAT BMW RECENTLY DID FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE IN OTHER MODELS. IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545251

59,000 miles · Sep 16, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2009 BMW328XI, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR. I ONLY HAVE 59,000 MILES. ON AUGUST 3, 2013 THE CAR TEMPERATURE LIGHT WENT ON, FIRST YELLOW AND NOT EVEN TWO SECONDS LATER RED. WITH OUT WARNING THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. SO I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. THINKING THE CAR IS OVER HEATING. INSTEAD, AF…

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I HAVE A 2009 BMW328XI, WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW AND PAID A LOT OF MONEY FOR. I ONLY HAVE 59,000 MILES. ON AUGUST 3, 2013 THE CAR TEMPERATURE LIGHT WENT ON, FIRST YELLOW AND NOT EVEN TWO SECONDS LATER RED. WITH OUT WARNING THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. SO I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. THINKING THE CAR IS OVER HEATING. INSTEAD, AFTER GETTING IT TOWED FOUND OUT THE WATER PUMP AND ELECTRIC THERMOSTAT WENT. I AM VERY UNHAPPY THAT A 4 AND HALF YEAR OLD CAR SHOULDN'T HAVE SUCH PROBLEMS. I'VE HAD MANY HIGH END CARS IN THE PAST FOR 11 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM IN SUCH A SHORT LIFE OF A CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543851

78,000 miles · Aug 23, 2013
Visibility

SUNROOF EXPLODED UPWARD MAKING A "GUN SHOT" TYPE SOUND LEAVING A BASKETBALL SIZED HOLE IN THE ROOF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536990

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.