repaired · 2024 Q2
Emission control: crankcase (pcv)
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.
2009 BMW 3 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 53 owner complaints about the 2009 BMW 3 Series, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 22V-119 the manufacturer reports only 27% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 2, 2022. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 BMW 3 Series has problems
53 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
15Air bags1 crash/fire/injury
8Electrical system
6Fuel/propulsion system
5Engine
5Exterior lighting
3Seats
3Steering
3Visibility
3Fuel system, gasoline
1711 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 15 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 1 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 3 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 17 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2009 BMW 3 Series recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with BMW.
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other 3 Series year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the 3 Series median. How we score
'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'23
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 BMW 3 Series safety ratings
2009 BMW 3 Series 2-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What 3 Series owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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..
TAKATA RECALL -- I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION MARCH, 2016, AND HAVE YET TO HAVE MY AIR BAG REPLACED. WHEN WILL THIS BE RESOLVED?
Own a 2009 3 Series?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.