Does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 BMW 3 Series, the most recent reported on March 2, 2022 (Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 3 Series?

Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (15 complaints), followed by electrical system (8).

How many 2009 BMW 3 Series complaints mention a crash or fire?

4 of 53 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2009 BMW 3 Series recalls and problems

1 recall and 53 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2009 BMW 3 Series.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2009 BMW 3 Series recalls

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA campaign 22V119000 · reported March 2, 2022 · BMW of North America, LLC · 917,106 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The 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.
The fix: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Air bags15
Electrical system8
Fuel/propulsion system6
Engine5
Exterior lighting5
Unknown or other4
Engine and engine cooling3
Fuel system, gasoline3
Seat belts3
Seats3

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Apr 17, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system · 89,800 miles
4 MONTHS AGO MY CAR STOPPED SUDDENLY MECHANIC CHANGED FUEL PUMP , COUPLE WEEKS AFTER THAT IT HAPPENS AGAIN I TOOK IT BACK AND THE MECHANIC SAID EVERYTHING IS OK , I WENT HOME AND TODAY I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AGAIN, I WAS SO SCARED I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF YOU GOING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM

Sep 30, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 1,410,000 miles
I TOOK MY CAR TO A BMW DEALERSHIP IN CANNONSBURG, PA. HAD NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER DROPPING IT OFF. I HAD DRIVEN 3 HOURS TO GET TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE RECALL. BY THE END OF THE DAY I RECEIVED A CALL TELLING ME MY CAR WAS OVER HEATING AND NOT DRIVABLE. HOW IS THAT MY RESPONSIBILITY? WHEN OBVIOUSLY I DROVE IT A LONG…

Sep 25, 2018 · Electrical system · 78,000 miles
RECALL # 17V676, 17V683 IT HAS BEEN NEARLY A YEAR AND I'M STILL UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIR APPOINTMENT WITH BMW DEALER FOR REASON OF PARTS UNAVAILABLE. MY AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COULDN'T KEEP CAR COOL ENOUGH AS HEAT FROM THE ENGINE IS HIGH.

Sep 20, 2018 · Engine
IN NOVEMBER 2017 I RECEIVED TWO (2) RECALL NOTICES FOR MY 2009 BMW 328I. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR WIRING (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 17V-676) AND PCV VALVE HEATER (RECALL CAMPAIGN # 17V-676) WERE DEFECTIVE. I WAS FURTHER NOTIFIED THAT NO REMEDY FOR EITHER DEFECT WAS AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER 2018…

Jul 26, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 1 miles
FUEL INJECTORS BEGAN LEAKING AND HAVE BECOME FAULTY CAUSING MIS-FIRING. BMW HAD A SIMILAR RECALL INVOLVING CARS WITH THE SAME MODEL YEAR AND ENGINE AS MY CAR BUT HAS REFUSED TO CLAIM IT WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN THE RECALL.

3 Series model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2006	3	202	6	1
2007	1	115	6	4
2008	2	68	0	4
2009	1	53	4	2
2010	2	30	1	1
2011	2	1	0	0
2012	3	7	0	0

Across all years, the 2006 3 Series has the most complaints (202). All BMW 3 Series years →

Questions

Does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2009 BMW 3 Series, the most recent reported on March 2, 2022 (Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system, emission control, crankcase (pcv)). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 3 Series?: Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (15 complaints), followed by electrical system (8).
How many 2009 BMW 3 Series complaints mention a crash or fire?: 4 of 53 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received April 17, 2019.