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2009 BMW 5 SeriesProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2009 BMW 5 Series, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-119 the manufacturer reports only 27% of affected cars repaired.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls3Lowest repair rate 27%Owner complaints81 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage87kFuel/propulsion system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 2, 2022. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2009 BMW 5 Series has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Fuel/propulsion system20
Fuel system, gasoline20
Engine20
Electrical system20
Exterior lighting10
Air bags10
Service brakes, hydraulic11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2009 BMW 5 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.

27%repaired · 2024 Q2

Emission control: crankcase (pcv)

Recall 22V-119 · Mar 2, 2022 · 917,106 vehicles · 251,242 repaired

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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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 5 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 5 Series median. How we score

'96'97'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2009 BMW 5 Series safety ratings

2009 BMW 5 Series 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2009 BMW 5 Series frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2009 BMW 5 Series side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (10.5% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: Optional
In owners' words

What 5 Series owners report

Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

"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…
Complaint 10917599 · Oct 20, 2016
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…
Complaint 10840376 · Mar 7, 2016 · 86,680 miles

Own a 2009 5 Series?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.