repaired · 2021 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2009 BMW M3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 45 owner complaints about the 2009 BMW M3, most often about the power train. It is covered by 5 safety recalls, and for recall 16V-071 the manufacturer reports only 47% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 29, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 BMW M3 has problems
45 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
24Power train
8Air bags
6Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
4Engine
3Vehicle speed control
1Exterior lighting
1Fuel system, gasoline
1Engine and engine cooling
1Seats
33 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 24 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 1 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 |
| 3 other systems | 3 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2009 BMW M3 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.
repaired · 2020 Q4
Electrical system
Risk. A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2019 Q3
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other…
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Power train: clutch assembly
Risk. IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
2kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 24 power train complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
24under 30k miles24under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other M3 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 M3 median. How we score
'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'21'22'23'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 BMW M3, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
In owners' words
What M3 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOUR ORGANIZATION TAKING AN INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT BMWNA IS WELL AWARE OF, BUT INSISTS THAT IT IS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR" FOR MY CAR/TRANSMISSION. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO…
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) DEAR [XXX], I AM VERY HAPPY TO SEE YOUR ORANIZATION TAKING AN INTEREST IN THIS ISSUE. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT BMWNA IS WELL AWARE OF, BUT INSISTS THAT IT IS "NORMAL BEHAVIOR" FOR…
WITH THE DUAL CLUTCH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN D MODE, WHEN SLOWING FROM 50 OR 60 MPH TO 15-20 MPH THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT AND STAYS IN 6TH OR 7TH GEAR. EVEN WITH THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR THE CAR WILL NOT SELECT AN APPROPRIATE GEAR WHICH MAKES THE CAR BARELY ACCELERATE AT ALL…
Own a 2009 M3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.