Check a VIN

2009 BMW 5 Series problems

The most common problem on the 2009 BMW 5 Series is fuel and propulsion system. It has fewer complaints than a typical 5 Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
84/100
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
76
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
18-20mpg

The worst 2009 BMW 5 Series problems

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

  • Fuel system
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Fuel system
    4
  • Electrical
    2
  • Engine
    2
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Lights
    1

Recalls 3

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

Electrical system: 12v/24v/48v battery: cablesReported March 26, 2012 · 367,682 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Risk
Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Remedy
Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 12V126000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuumReported October 1, 2010 · 198,352 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Risk
Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1‑800‑525‑7417.

Recall number 10V446000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2009 BMW 5 Series

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 BMW 5 Series 76

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

See all 76 bulletins for the 2009 BMW 5 Series

2009 BMW 5 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‑cyl4WD16-1723-2518-20

What 2009 BMW 5 Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 20, 2016 · Airbags, Fuel system · PA

"takata recall" bmw sent me a notice of recall: driver's front air bag module in march 2016, however, until now 10/20/2016, the local dealer never call me to replace the front air bag. Another problem: I smell gas coming out from the fuel tank when parking in the garage, however, I can not find any leak from the gas tank. I feel my bmw x5 v8 2009 may be caught in fire if I drove long distance and the car heated up.

Filed Oct 4, 2016 · Fuel system · 59,500 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 bmw 5 series. While driving 75 MPH, the vehicle's power seized and the high pressure fuel pump warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,500. The VIN was not available. Updated 01/05/2017*ct updated 01/23/17.

Filed Mar 7, 2016 · Fuel system · 86,680 miles · OH

On september 10, 2016 I purchased this car and I have been experiencing stalling and jerking violently and I was told it was bad gas from dealership I purchased it from. I went to bmw in october 2015 I was told it was fuel injectors I was told no recall on the car at that time. In march 2016 the car stopped on me and my visually impaired grandson without warning on the freeway. I took the car to conrad and was told it was the fuel pump so I took the car to different bmw service center now I am told it the fuel pump but not the one under warranty. Both service centers refuse to replace fuel pump that is under extended warranty which is the prime problem. I told them the fuel pump is under extended warranty. They name other stuff instead of replacing the problem the car is a safety hazard. Bmw is not sticking to keeping their cars safe. I believe is acting in a discriminatory way and want more money out of greed. Please see attached documents

Filed May 3, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 83,000 miles · NV

The vehicle stalled while I was driving on the freeway. The stall is related to the camshaft sensor not properly working and the fuel system not working properly. I have a 2009 bmw 528i. In april 2014 bmw did a recall related to the camshaft for 2010 - 2014 528 bmw's. I contacted my local dealer and the national bmw dealer to let them know I was having the same problem with my 2009 and to see if they were going to expand the recall to include the 2009 models. They told me no at this time they didn't have any information regarding expanding the recall. I also let them know that I had another problem with the car that could be related to the camshaft. The car's fuel system was leaking.the gas was not properly going to the engine and it was flowing back into the car and the exhaust. You could smell gas in the car and see puddles of gas when they lifted the back seat of the car. The mechanic told me I was driving a bomb. I paid $450 to have that repaired. Bmw needs to expand the recall to include the 2009 cars.

Filed Apr 28, 2014 · Engine · 74,238 miles · AZ

Driving on a posted speed limit road of 30mph when we see this message on our screen "engine malfunction power reduced".

Filed Aug 6, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 53,000 miles · CA

The grounding wire in the connector to the tail light bulb holder melted and melted parts of the connector. This resulted in no signal, brake and running rear lights. A recall has been called for bmw e46 3 series for this exact problem (see below). The recall should be expanded to cover the 5 series as well.

Filed May 23, 2011 · Electrical · 28,000 miles · VA

Currently have a 2009 bmw 550i. Vehicle has had an ongoing and unidentifiable electrical issue causing the vehicle to often and without initial notice "loose power" and go into a "safety mode" operating at a reduced power by not going above 30mph and/or 3000rpm's. Vehicle with often start "bogging" and "shuttering(shaking)" and will often attempt to "surge" forward while sitting in traffic often trying to cause a rear end accident with the vehicle infront. The driver of the bmw often has to "stand" on the brakes in order to prevent the vehicle surges from allowing the vehicle to shot forward at stops. Issues started in january of 2011, took it to fairfax bmw where they determined the vehicle had some sort of electrical issue with the battery. No fix was provided in the shop for 3 days. Issues persisted through january and took it to bmw of alexandria where they replaced a transmission solenoid and a intake sensor, in the shop for roughly 7 days. Electrical issue reappeared in march in with the same problems. Vehicle was in the shop for over 7 days and had the entire vehicle wiring harness replaced. Vehicle issue resurfaced several weeks later and a engineer from nj came down and determined a faulty oil sensor was causing the vehicle to often ?think? It was out of oil vehicle was in the shop for 7 days. Vehicle potentially was flooded with oil from service tech's adding more oil each time the vehicle "thought" it was out of oil. Vehicle as of 5-21-2011 suffered again from the same issue and was dropped back off at bmw of alexandria with vehicle engine light identifying ?engine malfunction?. Sent several emails to bmw corporate with little response.

Filed Jan 6, 2011 · Brakes · 15,200 miles · MD · crash

Tl*the contact owns a 2009 bmw 528. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard and it moved forward and crashed into a wall. There were no injuries. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the manufacturer sent a technician to inspect the vehicle; the technician could not find anything wrong. The failure mileage was 15,200.

Compare the 2009 BMW 5 Series

Other model years

1995199719992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012

Questions about the 2009 BMW 5 Series

Is the 2009 BMW 5 Series reliable?

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2009 BMW 5 Series, fewer than a typical 5 Series model year.

What is the 2009 BMW 5 Series year score?

The 2009 BMW 5 Series scores 84 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the BMW 5 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 5 Series?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 4 complaints. Next is electrical (2).

How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 5 Series have?

3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling, electrical system and service brakes, hydraulic.

What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW 5 Series get?

Official estimates for the 2009 BMW 5 Series range from 18 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 16-17 city and 23-25 highway.

Share your experience with the 2009 BMW 5 Series

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2009 BMW 5 Series?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN