2009 BMW 328I Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other 328I years
- More complaints than other years 5th of 21 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 193 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 328I. That ranks 5th out of 21 328I model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (63 complaints, 33%), typically at around 68,725 miles. Complaints mention 6 crashes, 10 fires, 3 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 193owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 6complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2009 BMW 328I problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Bags problems | 63 | 33% | 68,725 | “passenger seat” (17%) | — |
| Electrical System problems | 61 | 32% | 77,000 | “electrical engine engine” (15%) | — |
| Engine | 47 | 24% | 99,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 21 | 11% | 103,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 20 | 10% | 90,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 14 | 7% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 5% | 82,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 9 | 5% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 | 4% | 65,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 4% | 90,038 | — | — |
| Seats | 8 | 4% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 3% | 51,900 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2% | 45,169 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 2% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 1% | 69,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1% | 104,000 | — | — |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1% | 300 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | 60,639 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2009 BMW 328I recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers; electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Risk: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers; electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Problem: BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.
Risk: If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The security system, alarm system and lock were all tampered with.
The security system, alarm system and key fob have all been tampered with.
UNKNOWN- The wiring system/ security system is faulty and requires attention.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW 328i. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine overheating warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the intended destination, which was nearby. The contact stated that the temperature gauge was displayed at 240. The contact…
Seat occupancy sensor -- seat belt is inoperable on passenger side. Seat belt stuck in passengers seat back. "Active fault for seat occupancy sensor." Belt tensioner - "Drive belt starting to walk off tensioner pulley"
Other BMW 328I years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 328I | 57 | 1 |
| 2015 328I | 125 | 4 |
| 2014 328I | 152 | 8 |
| 2013 328I | 257 | 5 |
| 2012 328I | 130 | 6 |
| 2011 328I | 577 | 7 |
| 2010 328I | 155 | 6 |
| 2009 | 193 | 6 |
| 2008 328I | 239 | 5 |
| 2007 328I | 399 | 6 |
| 2006 328I | 0 | 3 |
| 2005 328I | 0 | 1 |
| 2004 328I | 0 | 1 |
| 2003 328I | 0 | 1 |
| 2002 328I | 0 | 1 |
| 2001 328I | 4 | 3 |
| 2000 328I | 112 | 7 |
| 1999 328I | 98 | 7 |
| 1998 328I | 26 | 0 |
| 1997 328I | 25 | 0 |
| 1996 328I | 31 | 0 |
See all BMW 328I problems by year, every BMW model, or the BMW VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 328I?
Owners most often report air bags, electrical system, engine problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 63 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2009 BMW 328I?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2009 BMW 328I a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other 328I model years, the 2009 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.