KnownCarProblems2009 BMW 328i Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 328i, most often about the engine (34% of complaints, typically around 99,500 miles). It is 5th of 12 328i model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2009 BMW 328i problems
Engine
66 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact smelled an abnormal burning odor in the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking oil under the engine valve cover. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v676000 (engine and engine cooling) and 17v683000 (electrical…
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. While driving various speeds, smoke would emit through the vehicle vents and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and waited a few minutes until it cooled down before driving again. The vehicle was not taken to a…
Air bags
63 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving 26 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that the lights on the instrument panel were blinking and the brakes seized. The front passenger and driver's side air bags then inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was towed to a…
The seat air bag sensor mat has failed the airbag light stays on.the 2006 to 2008 models were recalled for this exact problem but not the 2009.thos is a serious safety issue because the air bag will not deploy on the passenger side with a faulty sensor.contacted BMW will not repair unless you pay full price.this is a…
Electrical
61 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles.
"takata recall" I have a complaint filed regarding an electrical issue I had with my vehicle which resulted in a motor vehicle crash (NHTSA id number: 10781956. My car was equipped with takata airbags, 4 of 6 airbags deployed. The airbag from the driver side caused injuries to my face and arm. I received a recall…
Airflow meter/sensor - car sputters and struggles with air intake causing the car to stall. I was driving 45 MPH and my car turned off. This happened back in 12/2017 - I took the car into the shop to fix the problem ($1300+) and the same issues are happening again. July 2018 driving 33 MPH and my car stalled out.
Fuel system
22 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles.
Driving along at 80 MPH on the expressway in rush hour traffic, heading into a curve. Cruise control was activated, service engine light came on, and car shutoff. Was able to activate hazards and maneuver between the car and semi next to me to get to right shoulder. (ditch on left side) once safely off the side of the…
While driving in the passing lane on US 101 at a busy time with many trucks approaching the cuesta grade, my fuel pump failed. It was extremely dangerous trying to drift a dead car to the shoulder while avoiding collisions. Six (6) months later, the fuel pump controller failed under almost identical highway conditions…
Seat belts
14 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
The vehicle brings up a warning light on the dash indicating that the passenger airbag is disabled due to seat occupancy, even though I have a passenger sitting in the passenger seat. This happens at all times. This is a safety concern because in the case of an accident, the car would not deploy the passenger airbag.
It started happening here and there, while no one is in the passenger seat, it is saying seat belts need to be on and an airbag light, after a little while of driving the airbag light sometimes goes off but seat belt light will stay on. Even when someone is in the seat with their seat belt on - both of those lights…
Steering
9 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 82,000 miles.
"takata recall" I have a complaint filed regarding an electrical issue I had with my vehicle which resulted in a motor vehicle crash (NHTSA id number: 10781956. My car was equipped with takata airbags, 4 of 6 airbags deployed. The airbag from the driver side caused injuries to my face and arm. I received a recall…
Bolt securing serpentine belt tensioner assembly against engine block broke off . The belt tensioner assembly also broke. The serpentine belt completely came off rendering vehicle undriveable. Happened when vehicle was stationary. Vehicle was towed to repair shop.
Other or unspecified
9 complaints · 5%2 recalls needed: 17v-676: blower motor wiring and 17v-683: pcv valve heater. Got a letter from BMW saying these recalls are not ready but my car has a really bad burning smell from the air vents and need it fixed as soon as possible.
Takata recall, whenever I drive my car for more than 30min it overheats and completely shuts off. The steering wheel locks like it runs out of gas and I can't start the car for at least 20 30 minutes. Thought it was the fuel pump replaced that and 3months later the problem comes back and now I can't run the A/C…
Lights
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles.
Leds failing in tail light turn signal. Non-consumer replaceable. $350 part. BMW issued service bulletin to replace under warranty, but not out of warranty. Their sib630610.
On my wife's 2009 BMW 328i the rear right turn signal quit working, I researched it to find out that they have been several service bulletins out about the rear turn signals getting corrosion. I called the dealer and they stated it was out of warranty and they would not pay to fix it. They stated they knew the service…
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 328i recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed august 30, 2024. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 series sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 series sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 series sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or m-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Air bags: inflator module
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
Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began august 14, 2019. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: this recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18v-314.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 m3 coupe and m3 convertible, and 2008-2011 m3 sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Engine: crankcase (pcv)
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the pcv valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Fix: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will replace the pcv valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on november 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of october 2018. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xdrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, x3 3.0si, x3 xdrive30i, x5 xdrive30i, z4 3.0i, z4 3.0si and z4 sdrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (pcv) valve may short circuit.
Electrical: wiring
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 replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on november 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact bmw customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Full defect summary
Bmw of north america, llc (bmw) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and m3, 2007-2011 328i xdrive, 335i xdrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Electrical: fuses and circuit breakers
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.
Questions about the 2009 BMW 328i
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 328i?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (66 complaints, typically around 99,500 miles); air bags (63 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); electrical (61 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 328i have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 3, 2024 (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 328i?
- It is 5th of 12 328i model years by number of complaints, with 193 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.