Noticed a very slight tapping when the car was first cranked--but no engine warning lights. After driving it for a few miles, a warning light indicating "charging malfunction" flashed on, and the battery symbol appeared. Because I was the passenger, I googled "bmw 328i charging malfunction" and the first result that came up read "bmw/ january 2013/ recall campaign no. 12v‑550: engine belt idler pulley bolt" for mys 2009-2012 bmw x5 xdrive 35s savs. Before I could inform driver, he complained that he had lost power steering. As we were literally yards from our destination, we parked, and returned to the car two hours later. When we recranked the car, same warnings. We decided to drive to local bmw service station. At a stop light a few miles further, many warning lights turned on simultaneously, the windshield wipers turned on, but the panel said it was still drivable and needed service soon. When the light changed, the panel went off, and the car was stopped dead in the middle of a major road. Pushed it to the side of the road to find the bolt broken and the pulley and belt loose. Upon having it towed to bmw repair, we were told the A/C compressor w/clutch, belt tensioner and belt, and oil filter housing gasket needed to be replaced to the tune of about $5090. (car had been given a clean bill of health during last oil change, and the A/C was working well earlier that morning.) wondering why the ebip bolt was recalled in so many other bmw models that year but not in ours. Information contained in their recall notification exactly matched the description of our problem.
2009 BMW 3 Series: sudden loss of power
5 of the 53 complaints about the 2009 BMW 3 Series describe sudden loss of power.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 58,000
- recalls
- 1
Sudden loss of power by model year
What owners say
Coupe of time the vehicle lost power as the result SRS & airbag light now stay on.
When crossing an intersection engine lost power and power steering went out. Took car to bmw dealership and they said the fuel pump went out and the pump and tank have to be replaced.
Car was running very bad both check engine lights came on with one blinking total loss of power. The car was taken to certified bmw dealer who replaced fuel injectors, valve and tuned it up cost 3500 didn't solve the problem they said it's gas to air ratio is not correct the car misfiring on all cylinders the bmw dealer wants to charge me another 1600-2700 dollars to fix it. After picking the car up after the first repaired I was back in 2 days later. Dreyer and reinbold is the dealership. Updated 11/24/2014
2009 bmw 328i with 17k miles malfunctioned caught fire and exploded. I was injured by the fire getting out. It was a total loss vehicle fire causing personal injury. In addition to the cost of the car there was additional 20k personal property damage. It was not caused by collision or operator error. On 15 nov 2010 approx 7: 30pm after about 8 mins of driving my car started to lose power and the ses light came on. It acted as if it was running out of gas I pulled over off of the shoulder in the grass. The car died and would not start back up I took my flash light and looked under the hood.I did not see anything or notice anything unusual. After a little time the car started back up, the ses light did not come back on. It was dark outside, I was out of state and bmw was closed so I turned back. I drove approx 1 block to a driveway where I stopped and called my husband to say I would not come home until my car could be seen. I began to drive back towards longview, tx. I entered the highway on the other side of the road at about 50 MPH my car began losing power. The engine made a load noise and the RPM gauge went up to 7000 rpms I was in traffic and needed to pull over. I put the car in neutral and coasted at approx 40 MPH I put the car in 4th gear and it redlined again. I put it back into neutral the clutch went to the floor. Still coasting in traffic I got off the road as soon as I could . It died on top of a bridge with a narrow shoulder. I turned off the car and called roadside assistance, while talking to them I seen flames coming from the drivers front wheel area. Without a second thought I got out of the car I undid my seat belt opened the drivers door and jumped out only my cell in hand. There was a wall of flames taller than me I got burned getting away from the car I ran through the flames into on coming traffic and was almost hit by an 18 wheeler. I was in the middle of the bridge when I heard the 1st explosion and the 2nd as I ran off of the bridge.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Bmw: selective catalyst reduction module (SCR) has a stored fault, pressure build up is low, causing...
- Bmw: experiencing loss of engine power, service engine soon lamp is illuminated, a noise, like rattling,...
- Bmw: service engine and engine malfunction light illuminates
- Bmw: crankcase pressure diagnosis and information for all vehicles
- Bmw: service engine soon light is on and the engine has reduced power with trouble codes stored
- Bmw: the replacing and/or checking of emissions monitoring components to increase emissions stability,...
- Bmw: vehicle does not start: loose ground Z6000 4B
- Bmw vehicle: the service engine soon (MIL) lamp is illuminated and a power reduction is clearly perceptible
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
- 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
Questions about the 2009 BMW 3 Series loss of power
Is sudden loss of power a common problem on the 2009 BMW 3 Series?
5 of 53 owner complaints about the 2009 BMW 3 Series (9%) mention sudden loss of power. The model year with the most reports is 2007.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2009 BMW 3 Series?
There is 1 recall and 24 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2009 BMW 3 Series
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