Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 3 Series, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Air bags15
- Electrical system8
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Engine5
- Exterior lighting5
- Unknown or other4
- Seat belts3
- Visibility3
- Steering3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2009 BMW 3 Series cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 petrol (105 kW, 141 hp), 2.0 petrol (125 kW, 168 hp) and 1.6 petrol (90 kW, 121 hp), out of 12 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 105 kW 141 hp | 1,699 |
| 2.0 petrol | 125 kW 168 hp | 935 |
| 1.6 petrol | 90 kW 121 hp | 472 |
| 3.0 petrol | 160 kW 215 hp | 455 |
| 2.0 diesel | 100 kW 134 hp | 167 |
| 3.0 petrol | 225 kW 302 hp | 156 |
| 2.0 diesel | 130 kW 174 hp | 149 |
| 2.0 petrol | 120 kW 161 hp | 117 |
| 3.0 petrol | 200 kW 268 hp | 116 |
| 2.0 diesel | 105 kW 141 hp | 63 |
| 3.0 diesel | 145 kW 194 hp | 62 |
| 3.0 diesel | 180 kW 241 hp | 57 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
4,586 first registered in 2009 are on Dutch roads; 42% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €42,564.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde2,365
- Band onvoldoende profiel1,538
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen1,198
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld1,169
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar1,024
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm988
- Schokdemper aanwezig die lekkage vertoont770
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)694
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
18,574 cars built in 2009 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 3,498 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 25,345 of these cars first registered in 2009 took their annual MOT test. 67% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2009 the figure was 59%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 12.1% | 18.7% |
| Suspension | 11.2% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 9.2% | 10.1% |
| Tyres | 8.5% | 7.5% |
| Visibility | 5.3% | 6.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.3% | 5.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
1,779 of these cars first registered in 2009 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 286,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
1,448 2009 cars are on the New Zealand register; 83% arrived as used imports, 14% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
10 Transport Canada recalls for the 2009 BMW 3 Series.
| 2024544 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the tire and loading information label does not list that there is no spare tire in both official languages. The label reads as "N… |
| 2024392 3 Jul 2024 | Airbag Issue: This recall applies to vehicles that may be equipped with a replacement sport or M-sport steering wheel that has a Takata airbag. Long-term exposure to… |
| 2022095 2 Mar 2022 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles equipped with an N52 or N52K 6-cylinder engine, a manufacturing problem could cause the PCV valve heater (blow-by heater) to short … |
| 2020008 15 Jan 2020 | Airbag Issue: This recall is for certain vehicles that had an airbag inflator replaced as a part of an earlier recall campaign. This recall provides a final repair. … |
| 2019310 20 Jun 2019 | Electrical Issue: On certain 3-series and M3 vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box may fail. This could cause a loss of electrical power while … |
| 2017588 30 Nov 2017 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the blower regulator wiring harness crimp connection could start to corrode over time. This in combination with high current flow (IE maxim… |
| 2017470 28 Sept 2017 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with the N52 6-cylinder engine, an electrical short could occur in the PCV valve heater due to manufacturing irregularities. If thi… |
| 2016142 31 Mar 2016 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inf… |
| 2013048 7 Feb 2013 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the positive battery cable connection to the fuse box could fail while the vehicle is being driven. This could interrupt the vehicle’s ele… |
| 2008399 5 Nov 2008 | Powertrain On certain M3 vehicles equipped with the multistage downshifting of the double clutch gearbox, during some cases involving rapid vehicle deceleration, the trans… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What BMW told its dealers about the 2009 BMW 3 Series: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10249437 | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| 10249027 | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle discharged battery complaints. |
| 10240305 | Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471 |
| 10240273 | This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports. |
| 10240266 | SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching SPL's aftermarket lower control arms, recurring inspection and confirmation of torque setting and removal and replacement of damaged or under torqued fasteners to reduce risk of premature failure and accident. SB-23-01 was mailed, emailed and posted on SPL website to known resellers, race teams and users of the affected parts and is b |
| 10182619 | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root caus |
| 10143557 | RETRACTABLE HARDTOP STATUS REQUEST SUPPLEMENT |
| 10057568 | BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, WHEN STARTING, LOW BEAM, WITH 0552 OPTION, WOULD BRIEFLY FLASHES, DUE TO A FAULTY LED MAIN LIGHT MODULE THAT NEEDS REPLACING. MODEL 2008-14 F01, F02, F06, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. *PE |
| 10057527 | BMW: SELECTIVE CATALYST REDUCTION MODULE (SCR) HAS A STORED FAULT, PRESSURE BUILD UP IS LOW, CAUSING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. * |
| 10056099 | BMW: WHEN USING IPHONE, VARIOUS CONNECTIVITY FAILURES OCCUR, SUCH AS DISCONNECTION OF CALL, LIST OF CONTACTS INCOMPLETE, DUE TO THE VARIANTS AND SOFTWARE USED. MODEL 2008-2014. |
| 10053485 | BMW: SERVICE ENGINE AND ENGINE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATES. VEHICLE MAY HAVE REDUCED POWER OUTPUT. FAULT CODE MAY NOT CLEAR FROM DME FAULT MEMORY. *KB UPDATED ON 11/8/2013. *KB UPDATED 2/21/2014 *JS UPDATED 3/11/14. *PE |
| 10052365 | BMW: WARNING LAMPS ARE ILLUMINATED FOR THE DSC, ABS AND BRAKE AND A POSSIBLE WARNING IN CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. MODELS 2012 F25, 30, 01, 02, 07, 10, 12, 13, E70, 71, 84. *PE |
| 10052012 | BMW: BATTERY HAS AN INCREASED DEMAND DUE TO DEVELOPEMENTAL PROCESS OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSING THE BATTER TO NEED TO UNDERGO AN ENERGY DIAGNOSIS. *KB |
| 10051519 | BMW: THE HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) BATTERY CELLS COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS PREVENTED FROM ENTERING SLEEP MODE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 03/11/2013 *JS |
| 10051459 | BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THERE MAY ALSO BE A WARNING IN THE CONTROL DISPLAY FOR CHASSIS CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. *JS |
| 10051359 | BMW: VEHICLE DOES NOT START: LOOSE GROUND Z6000 *4B. COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BMW NEW VEHICLE/SAV LIMITED WARRANTY. *JS |
| 10046861 | BMW: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. THE REPLACING AND/OR CHECKING OF EMISSIONS MONITORING COMPONENTS TO INCREASE EMISSIONS STABILITY, HIGH PRESSURE (HP) EGR VALVE RESTRICTION OF EXCESSIVE SOOT AND IMPROVED DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) MIXTURE INTRODUCED IN EXHAUST SYSTEM FROM SCR MIXER. MODEL 2008-2009 E70, E90. *PE UPDATED 5/10/13. *PE |
| 10045283 | BMW: EXPERIENCING LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, A NOISE, LIKE RATTLING, COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *PE UPDATED 10/31/12. *PE MODELS 2010 E70, 71, 82, 88, 90, 92, 93, F07, 10, 12, 13, 25. UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE UPDATED 4/18/2013. *KB UPDATED 05/13/2013 *JS UPDATED 5/19/15. *PE |
| 10045279 | BMW: A FAILURE OF THE TURBOCHARGER WASTEGATES, CAUSED BY A DEFECT, HAS AN EMISSIONS EXTENDED WARRANTY, 8 YEARS OR 82,000 MILES, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST, NOT OTHERWISE FALLING WITHIN COVERAGE EXCLUSION. *PE |
| 10044032 | BMW: THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR LIGHT IN THE SIDE PANEL HAS CONDENSATION CONCERNING VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO FEBRUARY 27,2012. *JS |
| 10043862 | BMW: ELECTRONIC MALFUNCTION AND VARIOUS CHECK CONTROL MESSAGES ARE DISPLAYED IN CID (CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY) AND INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. *PE MODELS 2009-2012 E70, E71, E72, E82, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93, F01, F02, F04, F07, F10, F12, F13, F25. UPDATED 11/2/12. *PE |
| 10043687 | BMW: THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM LEAKAGE IS FOUND, WHEN USING THE NVLD TANK LEAKAGE TEST PLAN. *PE UPDATED 1/18/13. *PE |
| 10042686 | BMW: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE JBE (JUNCTION BOX ELECTRONICS) MODULE FAILS PROGRAMMING DURING A SOFTWARE UPDATE OF THE VEHICLE. *PE |
| 10042684 | BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS AN INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT MAY FAIL AND CAUSING DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS ERRATIC ENGINE OPERATION AND LONGER STARTING TIMES. *PE |
| 10041411 | BMW: E92. THE SEAT BELT EXTENDER ON THE FRONT DRIVERS OR PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DELIVER THE BELT. THE SAFETY BELT EXTENDER EXTENDS BUT THE BELT SLIPS OFF. THE HAND ON THE EXTENDER FAILS. THE SAFETY BELT IS TWISTED. THE EXTENDER WILL NOT OPERATE AND MAKES NOISE WHILE EXTENDING. *RM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)