MYRModel Year Report

2009 BMW 328I

◆ Worse than typical
2009 BMW 328I
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:43:30.441Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, BMW 328I Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2009 highlighted. 1996: 31 complaints 1996 1997: 25 complaints 1998: 26 complaints 1999: 98 complaints 1999 2000: 112 complaints 2001: 4 complaints 2002: 0 complaints 2002 2003: 0 complaints 2004: 0 complaints 2005: 0 complaints 2005 2006: 0 complaints 2007: 395 complaints 2008: 239 complaints 2008 2009: 193 complaints 2009 2010: 153 complaints 2011: 572 complaints 2011 2012: 130 complaints 2013: 255 complaints 2014: 150 complaints 2014 2015: 121 complaints 2016: 55 complaints 2016
2009: 193 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199631
199725
199826
199998
2000112
20014
20020
20030
20040
20050
20060
2007395
2008239
2009193
2010153
2011572
2012130
2013255
2014150
2015121
201655

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 33%

33% of complaints: air bags — 63 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

One recall was for air bag deployed I had the light for it on but it was on when I got it the original owner said it popped on him well he was parked and he never fixed it or did anything ...

NHTSA ODI report, 20250313

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS CAME ON, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP, I HIT A GARBAGE CAN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUT NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED

NHTSA ODI report, 20180104

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 32%

32% of complaints: electrical system — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

One recall was for air bag deployed I had the light for it on but it was on when I got it the original owner said it popped on him well he was parked and he never fixed it or did anything ...

NHTSA ODI report, 20250313

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2009 BMW 328I. SHORTLY AFTER PARKING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FLAMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180319

TL* I WAS DRIVING ON WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE THE CABIN, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131231

ENGINE 24%

24% of complaints: engine — 47 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

One recall was for air bag deployed I had the light for it on but it was on when I got it the original owner said it popped on him well he was parked and he never fixed it or did anything ...

NHTSA ODI report, 20250313

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 3281. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, SMOKE AND FLAMES EMERGED FROM THE HOOD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND KNEES; HOWEVER, MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180222

TL* I WAS DRIVING ON WHEN MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE BROKE OUT INSIDE THE CABIN, DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131231

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I PURCHASED A 2009 BMW 238I. I TOOK IT TO GET AN OIL CHANGE ON 30 SEPT 11. I DROPPED IT OFF, GOT A LOANER, AND WENT TO WORK. BEFORE I DROPPED IT OFF THAT MORNING THE CAR RAN GREAT, IT HAD NO TICKING, NO ENGINE LIGHTS NOR LOSS OF POWER.

NHTSA ODI report, 20111007

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 20 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2009 — complaint volume: 193
R 20130313 — electrical system

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

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 a

Campaign 13V044000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180618 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 17V683000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180629 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 17V676000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190814 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V472000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200311 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V017000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20240830 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 24V513000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 BMW 328I — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (63 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (61 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (47 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V044000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V683000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V676000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V472000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V017000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V513000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2016 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2011 ■ 2007 ◆ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2009 BMW 328I reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 BMW 328I is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 328I?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 328I have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.