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2009 BMW 328I airbags problems

63 complaints (33% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,450. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints
63
of this car's complaints
33%
typical mileage
75,450
crashes
4
recalls
2

Which part fails

  • Sensor: occupant classification
    3

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

BMW 328I airbags problems in other years

1996200020102016

Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 BMW 328I airbags

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Airbag light 12

Related recalls

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported July 3, 2024 · 394,029 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 24V513000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported January 15, 2020 · 59,965 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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 degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 20V017000 · Recall details

What 2009 BMW 328I owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Airbags · GA

Seat occupancy sensor -- seat belt is inoperable on passenger side. Seat belt stuck in passengers seat back. "Active fault for seat occupancy sensor." Belt tensioner - "Drive belt starting to walk off tensioner pulley"

Filed Aug 23, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

Car running lean oil leak getting hot,loss of power,jolting forward also my car has been in dealership shop for 2 years I'm being charged for services I know weren't done,overcharged,and my car still isn't fixed also the service manager told me he was aware of the recalls,when I told him to this was 4 days ago,however my car is being withheld from me,recalls have been known if it's been two yrs,they filed a lien June of last year I opposed it and they never responded back! My car still sits there causing injury to my livilyhood I've missed almost 1year of work I live in the Sierra's where it snows I can't get to work with no car!

Filed Mar 13, 2025 · Airbags, Electrical · CA · fire

One recall was for air bag deployed I had the light for it on but it was on when I got it the original owner said it popped on him well he was parked and he never fixed it or did anything ... The other was a part of the computer pretty much in charge of cooling the car down it can make fire from melting and cause unfixable/ to constant issues .... Well my hole engine stopped working it was getting too hot miss firing coolent mixing with oil and started to smoke it was white smoke that came out didn't smell like anything crazy maybe mostly coolent and pretty much it had electric issues since I got it so the recall issue makes sense so I took it in to bmw Riverside they said they will fix all that and contact me it's been almost 2 weeks I live in my car I'm disabled and a mom I can't even go drive and see my child over this I have no income disabled type thing and no word what's wrong they said they might charge me a few of 287 but I'm disabled no income yet so that's out it tells me it will be fixed free and if the dealer won't fix the electric system on everything in the car and not charge me later like they said they will then I want to sue big time and if that's not dun when clearly safety was in danger fire issues and crap I want the same car but a new one off the lot not brand new car or fix then I'm sueing for my losses that simple

Filed Feb 28, 2023 · Airbags, Brakes · 59,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328I. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light and the ABS warning light were illuminated. The message "Do Not Drive" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V017000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Feb 4, 2023 · Airbags, Seat belts · NY

My mat sensor in my passenger seat is not working properly. Nobody ever really sits in the passenger seat and the light came on stating that someone is sitting in the passenger seat when there is actually nobody sitting in the seat! Which means the airbag will not deploy this seems to be an issue with many 09 bmw 328i vehicle’s! I noticed through research that vehicles prior to said year had same issues and was part of a recall. I feel this should also be part of a new recall with this vehicle year

Filed Jun 19, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

Consistent steam coming through hood of vehicle. Electrical panel indicators. Vehicle has been serviced regularly and sent to BMW Mountain View for recall repairs.

Filed Jun 15, 2021 · Airbags, Seats · NH

Code is coming up for passenger seat occupancy sensor which possibly affects airbag deployment in the event of a collision. It has been noted that the passenger seat occupancy sensor has been a part of prior BMW for 2008 and earlier.

Filed Apr 3, 2021 · Airbags · 90,000 miles · NJ

I'm having the same issue in but in my 2009 bmw, which is not covered under the current recall.

Filed Aug 8, 2020 · Airbags, Seat belts · 99,000 miles · FL

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 are on seat belt and airbag. I'm scared if I get in an accident the airbags wont deploy. I'm also seeing I'm not the only bmw with this issue. Why is there no recall when this can cost someone their life. No cars airbag system should just go.

Filed Jun 17, 2020 · Airbags, Seat belts · CA

Sensor warning states passenger airbag and passenger seatbelt is not on.

Questions about the 2009 BMW 328I airbags

Does the 2009 BMW 328I have airbags problems?

Owners have filed 63 complaints about the airbags of the 2009 BMW 328I, 33% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2009 BMW 328I airbags problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,450 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2009 BMW 328I airbags?

Yes, 2 recalls: 24V513000, 20V017000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the BMW 328I have bad airbags?

The BMW 328I model years with the most airbags complaints are 2007 (105 complaints), 2011 (91 complaints) and 2008 (83 complaints).

Other 2009 BMW 328I problems

Engine 66Electrical 61Fuel system 22Seat belts 14Steering 9Lights 8Seats 8Transmission 8Driver assistance 6Acceleration 4Body 3Brakes 3Wheels 3Visibility 2Suspension 1Tires 1

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