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2009 BMW 3 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2009 BMW 3 Series is airbags, typically around 75,000 miles. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical 3 Series model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Year score
51/100
Owner complaints
53
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
892 warranty
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
19-27mpg

The worst 2009 BMW 3 Series problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    15
  • Fuel system
    10
  • Electrical
    8
  • Engine
    8
  • Lights
    5
  • Visibility
    4
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Seats
    3
  • Steering
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Tires
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 BMW 3 Series

Fuel pump 5Loss of power 5

Recalls 1

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)Reported March 2, 2022 · 917,106 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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
This recall supersedes and expands previous the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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.

Recall number 22V119000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2009 BMW 3 Series

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 BMW 3 Series 89

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 89 bulletins for the 2009 BMW 3 Series

2009 BMW 3 Series fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cyl DieselRWD233627
3.0L 6‑cylRWD17-1826-2820-22
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD16-172519-20

What 2009 BMW 3 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 17, 2019 · Fuel system · 89,800 miles · VA

4 months ago my car stopped suddenly mechanic changed fuel pump , couple weeks after that it happens again I took it back and the mechanic said everything is ok , I went home and today I was driving on the highway when the car suddenly stopped again, I was so scared I just want to know if you going to fix this problem

Filed Sep 30, 2018 · Fuel system · WV

I took my car to a bmw dealership in cannonsburg, pa. Had no issues whatsoever dropping it off. I had driven 3 hours to get to the dealership for the recall. By the end of the day I received a call telling me my car was over heating and not drivable. How is that my responsibility? When obviously I drove it a long distance to get 3 recalls taken care of. I was told the water pump, I think was not working? It was working when I dropped it off? If it was overheating I could have never been able to drive it. Please help me figure out our to resolve this issue. I need my car and I'm regretting taking it in for a recall now.

Filed Sep 25, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 78,000 miles · CA

Recall # 17v676, 17v683 it has been nearly a year and I'm still unable to make repair appointment with bmw dealer for reason of parts unavailable. My air conditioning system couldn't keep car cool enough as heat from the engine is high.

Filed Sep 20, 2018 · Engine · GA

In november 2017 I received two (2) recall notices for my 2009 bmw 328i. I was advised that the blower motor wiring (recall campaign # 17v‑676) and pcv valve heater (recall campaign # 17v‑676) were defective. I was further notified that no remedy for either defect was available at that time. It is now september 2018. I have contacted bmw and been advised that at this time a remedy remains unavailable. I am considering selling or trading in my vehicle but because this recall has not yet been completed my resale price may be lowered. If two (2) recall repairs have not been performed 10 months after a recall notice has been issued, why bother issuing the recall notice in november 2017 if it is for any other purpose than bureaucratic paper shuffling for bmw to claim to the federal safety agency that bmw is going to fix a defect while actually doing nothing to remedy the defect?

Filed Jul 26, 2018 · Fuel system · 1 miles · NC

Fuel injectors began leaking and have become faulty causing mis-firing. Bmw had a similar recall involving cars with the same model year and engine as my car but has refused to claim it was also involved in the recall.

Filed Jun 22, 2018 · Fuel system · 111,318 miles · CA

March 28, 2018 - driving on the freeway, car suddenly comes to a stop and shows message fuel pump with car on rock icon. Car gets towed. Next day mechanic says it ran out of gas, added gas started the car. March 29, 2018 car stalls after 5 miles near the ramp of exit. Get the car towed to another mechanic. Mechanic does not find any problems. April 14th, 2018 - car stops on the freeway. Tow it to mechanic mechanic says that its related to fuel tank sensor. This causes a wrong reading of level of gas in the car. Mechanic changes it and car runs ok for 2 months. June 21, 2018 - car stops on the freeway with the same message "service engine soon" with the car on rock icon. I get towing service to add gas and wait for an hour. Restart the car and it works. The message is gone, the icon is gone. This is the fourth time I was stranded on the freeway.

Filed May 17, 2018 · Visibility · 150,000 miles · MI

Sunroof exploded while driving home, powerful implosion, glass everywhere.

Filed May 9, 2018 · Airbags, Seat belts · 84,000 miles · CA

Hello, my 2009 bmw e92 328i is experiencing an issue where the front passenger seat sensor is not functioning properly, which will cause the airbag and seatbelt to not function as intended. There have been recalls on other models for the same issue, but with the same design and parts, I do not understand how my car is not covered. (https://brandilaw.com/2013/12/26/bmw-recalls-76565-vehicles-due-to-a-front-passenger-seat-electronic-sensing-mat-failure/) this is a very dangerous problem. I have read on several online forums that it is a recurring problem in the cars after the effective recall date. I am trying my best to do due diligence and inform the ntsb to review this incident within other bmw models and to hopefully remedy any affected cars. The design of the sensor is very poorly constructed and very expensive to fix, leaving many owners to simply forego making the necessary fixes. In fact, several mechanics informed me that customers typically avoid making the fix due to how expensive it is, running the risk of their passenger not being protected in the event of a collision. I hope the ntsb can look into this problem. Please feel free to contact me at [xxx] for any additional information. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Dec 4, 2017 · Electrical · 149,000 miles · NJ

My car is experiencing plastic burning odor and smoke from the cooling vents, bmw has opened a recall but they don't have the parts to complete the repairs.

Filed Nov 26, 2017 · Airbags, Seats · 102,000 miles · FL

Front passenger occupancy seat sensor is defective because it disables passenger airbag creating a safety hazard rendering vehicle inoperable for passenger occupancy. This is a known defect experienced by previous models. Cost of repair is excessive..

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Questions about the 2009 BMW 3 Series

Is the 2009 BMW 3 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 53 complaints about the 2009 BMW 3 Series, 1.5 times a typical 3 Series model year.

What is the 2009 BMW 3 Series year score?

The 2009 BMW 3 Series scores 51 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 3 Series: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 BMW 3 Series?

Airbags, with 15 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles. Next is fuel system (10).

How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have?

1 recall, covering engine and engine cooling.

What year does the BMW 3 Series have bad airbags?

The BMW 3 Series model years with the most airbags complaints are 2006 (101 complaints), 2007 (35 complaints) and 2003 (21 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW 3 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2009 BMW 3 Series range from 19 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl diesel, RWD) gets 23 city and 36 highway.

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