2009 BMW 3 Series recalls and problems

The 2009 BMW 3 Series has 1 recall and 53 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is air bags.

How the 2009 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 14 3 Series model years — 7th most.

1recalls
53complaints
4crashes
2fires
9injuries
68,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

1 recall

Engine

Mar 2, 2022 · NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · 917,106 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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 & notes

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.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Air Bags15
Fuel System10
Electrical System8
Engine8
Exterior Lighting5
Unknown or other4
Visibility4
Seat Belts3
Seats3
Steering3

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2010: 6 complaints20102011: 5 complaints20112012: 2 complaints20122013: 4 complaints20132014: 4 complaints20142015: 6 complaints20152016: 8 complaints20162017: 10 complaints2017102018: 7 complaints20182019: 1 complaints20191

2009 vs. other BMW 3 Series years

2000: 88 complaints20002001: 36 complaints2002: 26 complaints20022003: 73 complaints2004: 77 complaints20042005: 25 complaints2006: 202 complaints20062022007: 115 complaints2008: 68 complaints20082009: 53 complaints2010: 30 complaints20102011: 1 complaints2012: 7 complaints20122013: 21 complaints201321

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2009. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign covering the 2009 BMW 3 Series, the latest from Mar 2, 2022 (engine). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 3 Series?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention air bags (15), fuel system (10), electrical system (8). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.