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2009 BMW 135i Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 135i, most often about the fuel system (55% of complaints, typically around 8,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about 135i model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.

Complaints29
Recalls4
Crashes reported0
Fires reported0
Injuries reported0

Most common 2009 BMW 135i problems

  1. Fuel system

    16 complaints · 55%

    Half of these problems showed up before 8,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.

    When the weather started to change this winter my car had problems starting. The colder the weather became the longer it took for the car to start. The car seemed to be bogged down. When revving at high speeds the car started to shake. Check engine light was turned on and also the engine picture came on. I took it to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 7,000 miles
    At 8,532 miles my BMW 135i had a high pressure fuel pump failure that caused my car to decelerate below the speed of traffic. At 24,384 miles the car illuminated a engine caution for over temperature. The only gauge available was for oil temperature which did not indicate hot. There was not a shoulder to pull over for…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 8,500 miles
  2. Engine

    5 complaints · 17%

    Half of these problems showed up before 8,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.

    At 8,532 miles my BMW 135i had a high pressure fuel pump failure that caused my car to decelerate below the speed of traffic. At 24,384 miles the car illuminated a engine caution for over temperature. The only gauge available was for oil temperature which did not indicate hot. There was not a shoulder to pull over for…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2015, at 8,500 miles
    I was driving my 2009 335i BMW on highway 92 at ralston ave exit, and my car lost power when I stepped on the accelerator, the engine light came on and the malfunctioning engine warning. I felt very frightened thinking I would have.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 4,500 miles
  3. Electrical

    4 complaints · 14%

    The contact owns a 2009 BMW 135i. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the engine off when the vehicle exhibited an unusual noise. The contact started the vehicle and a noise was exhibited from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was advised that the vehicle would…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 2,500 miles
    Wiring inside headlight assembly has insufficiently insulated wiring. The wire insulation is flaking off due to heat exposure from normal operating conditions. This is a safety problem. Fire potential. Lights could stop working while driving at night.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 70,000 miles
  4. Air bags

    3 complaints · 10%

  5. Lights

    3 complaints · 10%

    Wiring inside headlight assembly has insufficiently insulated wiring. The wire insulation is flaking off due to heat exposure from normal operating conditions. This is a safety problem. Fire potential. Lights could stop working while driving at night.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2017, at 70,000 miles
    The wiring of my 2009 BMW headlights, both sides, has its insulation disintegrate, exposing bare copper wire (as it is made of biodegradable material) to the point where my daytime running lights have shorted out and the adaptive headlight control on the passenger headlight is stuck at an angle that is too high. As…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 142,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2009 BMW 135i recalls

  1. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 20V017000 · January 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On x5 and x6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began march 11, 2020. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Full defect summary

    Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i convertibles, 128i, 135i, and m coupes, 2007-2010 x3 30si and x3 xdrive30i, 2013-2015 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i and x1 xdrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xdrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xdrive and m3 coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive and m3, 2009-2011 335d, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xdrive, 2010-2011 x6 activehybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, m3 coupes, x5 30si, x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 48i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m, 2009-2013 x5 xdrive35d and 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i and x6m vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (psan) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradat

  2. Electrical: wiring

    NHTSA 19V579000 · August 6, 2019 · 41,981 vehicles

    Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

    Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began october 4, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17v-676.

    Full defect summary

    Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2012 bmw 128i, 135i, 135is coupes and 128i, 135i convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.

  3. Air bags: inflator module

    NHTSA 16V071000 · February 5, 2016 · 840,000 vehicles

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began march 9, 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Full defect summary

    Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 series m coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xit, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xdrive, 335is and m3 coupes and convertibles, 2013-2015 x1 sdrive28i, x1 xdrive28i and x1 xdrive35i savs, 2007-2010 x3 xdrive30i savs, 2007-2013 x5 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive35i, x5 xdrive48i, x5 xdrive50i and x5 m savs, 2009-2013 bmw x5 xdrive35d savs, 2008-2014 x6 xdrive35i, x6 xdrive50i, and x6 m sacs, 2010-2011 bmw x6 xdrive50i sacs and 2008-2011 m3 sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

  4. Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers

    NHTSA 13V044000 · February 7, 2013 · 516,791 vehicles

    Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on march 13, 2013. Owners may call bmw at 1-800-525-7417 or email bmw at [email protected].

    Full defect summary

    Bmw is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-series coupes and convertibles manufactured december 2007 through september 2011; and 2007-2011 3-series coupes and convertibles manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sedans manufactured march 2007 through october 2011; 2007-2011 3-series sports wagons manufactured march 2007 through june 2011; and 2009-2011 z4 vehicles manufactured march 2009 through june 2011. In february 2013, bmw recalled 504,545 vehicles. In july 2013, bmw informed the agency that it was adding 1-series, 3-series, and z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a break

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2009 BMW 135i

What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 135i?
By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (16 complaints, typically around 8,000 miles); engine (5 complaints, typically around 8,500 miles); electrical (4 complaints).
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 135i have?
4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 15, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2009 a bad year for the BMW 135i?
It is the 2nd most complained-about 135i model year since 2000, with 29 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other BMW 135i years

BMW 135i problems by year