MYRModel Year Report

2009 BMW 128I

○ Not enough data
2009 BMW 128I
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:49:33.214Z

Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 26 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

Complaints
26

Too few to rank

Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
—

Not enough data

Complaints per year

2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 18 complaints 2008 2009: 26 complaints 2009 26 2010: 22 complaints 2010 2011: 50 complaints 2011 2012: 31 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2013
2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 18 complaints 2008 2009: 26 complaints 2009 26 2010: 22 complaints 2010 2011: 50 complaints 2011 2012: 31 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2013
2007: 1 complaint 2007 2008: 18 complaints 2008 2009: 26 complaints 2009 26 2010: 22 complaints 2010 2011: 50 complaints 2011 2012: 31 complaints 2012 2013: 36 complaints 2013

2009: 26 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20071
200818
200926
201022
201150
201231
201336

Known problem areas

Only 26 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

Air bags

11 of 26 total reports mention: air bags, most commonly citing occupant classification.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17V683000 (Engine and engine cooling) months ago. The dealer (BMW of fort walton beach, 1000 n.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-16

Also filed under Electrical system and engine and engine cooling

Engine

5 of 26 total reports mention: engine.

Show complaint excerpts

My electric water pump failed and my car overheated 3 times (once resulting in thick white smoke coming from the engine) tow trucks were called and fire department notified.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-20

Also filed under Electrical system

Electrical system

5 of 26 total reports mention: electrical system.

FIRE

Exterior lighting

5 of 26 total reports mention: exterior lighting, most commonly citing tail lights.

Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW 128I. While driving approximately 10 MPH at night, both tail lights failed without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-03-31

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 BMW 128I. The contact stated that the rear parking lights suddenly failed. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-11-04

Visibility/wiper

3 of 26 total reports mention: visibility/wiper.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2013-03-13Electrical system13V044000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2016-11-01Air bags16V071000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d...

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2018-06-18Engine and engine cooling17V683000 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.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-10-04Electrical system19V579000 BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2020-03-11Air bags20V017000 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,...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  7. R
    2022-07-22Engine and engine cooling22V119000 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...

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 BMW 128I — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 5 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 5 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V044000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 16V071000 · Air bags
  • Recall 17V683000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 19V579000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 20V017000 · Air bags
  • Recall 22V119000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2009 BMW 128I reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 128I?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 128I have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.