KnownCarProblems2009 BMW M3 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW M3, most often about the transmission (53% of complaints, typically around 1,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about M3 model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2009 BMW M3 problems
Transmission
24 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 1,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly, manual transmission.
My 09 BMW M3 with DCT is exhibiting gear shifting slowness and power lagging problems after hard braking. The most recent incident was a near rear end collision today that required me to brake hard from 70mph, to 40, switch lanes and accelerate to avoid being hit by approaching traffic from behind. When I attempted to…
I own a 2009 BMW M3. It has the mdct transmission. There is a delay when coming to a rolling stop and then trying to accelerate again. The delay occurs when pushing the accelerator and when the engine/transmission actually engages and moves forward. The delay is as long as 1-1.5 seconds. This has nearly caused several…
Air bags
8 complaints · 18%Takata recall hello madam/ sir, I received a safety recall notice - 16v-071 regarding faulty drivers side airbags in my 2009 BMW M3. The notice (attached) clearly states that in an event of airbag getting deployed, the airbag might explode causing serious injury or death.BMW says that they don't have any information…
I received a recall for the airbag on my car. I contacted BMW to replace but they were unable to replace at that time. I have tried to contact them since to arrange replacement and they have not returned my calls.
Electrical
6 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
400 miles out of warranty, the electrical system fault warning began to come on. When this happens all gauges bottom out quickly then return to normal. Sometimes, the restraint system, edc or other warnings will start. I don't experience any problems driving the vehicle. The battery has been replaced and alternator…
Vehicle would not start and all electrical systems were dead despite a good battery. Was solved by removing glove box and fus box and pushing on the battery cable that goes into the fuse box to get a connection. This is a know issue for BMW and a recall was issued on other 3-series vehicles (2007 - 2011) with the same…
Engine
5 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 56,500 miles.
Vehicle lost power while taking a turn. I was able to restart it and drive to a nearby parking lot. I drove around slowly to test and noticed knocking noise from the engine. I also noticed engine temperature was above normal, not quite to the next marker, but close. At that point, I had the car towed to a BMW service…
Takata recall driving my car for about 30 minutes on the local street and stopped at a red light, light turns green, I try to accelerate and engine felt sluggish and shuts off. Towed the car to mrf engineering and car needed an "engine replacement" as my rod bearings caused the engine to fail. Costed roughly around…
Speed control
3 complaints · 7%Shortly after purchasing my BMW 2009 M3, I noticed a rare but very disturbing pattern on take off. I had car checked in dealer and I was told it was likely secondary to my driving style! This uncontrolled take off is like hi rev and rapid acceleration periodically alternating with deceleration for few seconds. I had…
S65 v8 engine in a BMW M3 e90/92/93 and m5's with a v10 has two throttle valve actuators that fail prematurely at 40-80k miles. Both the internal nylon gears and electronics will fail, affecting accelerator pedal response and causing hesitation, especially with the DCT transmission. These parts are not a maintenance…
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 M3 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: 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.
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Transmission: clutch assembly
Risk: In that situation, at low vehicle speeds, it is possible for the engine to stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine and transmission electronic control unit with updated software free of charge. The recall began on december 3, 2008. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-831-1117.
Full defect summary
Bmw is recalling 2,500 my 2008-2009 m3 passenger vehicles with an optional double clutch transmission. The problem involves the double clutch gearbox. In a situation of rapid vehicle deceleration, the transmission software may perform a multistage downshift.
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
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
From 2000 through 2017, takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("psan") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004l. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Questions about the 2009 BMW M3
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW M3?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (24 complaints, typically around 1,500 miles); air bags (8 complaints); electrical (6 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 BMW M3 have?
- 5 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 M3?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about M3 model year since 2000, with 45 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.