2009 BMW M3

● Typical for this model

2009 BMW M3
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:57:08.531Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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

2009: 45 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1988	2
1989	0
1990	0
1991	0
1992	0
1993	0
1994	0
1995	12
1996	1
1997	19
1998	14
1999	11
2000	0
2001	14
2002	40
2003	54
2004	31
2005	12
2006	14
2007	0
2008	82
2009	45
2010	15
2011	31
2012	6
2013	13
2014	0
2015	4
2016	5
2017	3
2018	8
2021	3
2022	1
2023	1
2025	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 44%

44% of complaints: power train — 20 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

MY 09 BMW M3 WITH DCT IS EXHIBITING GEAR SHIFTING SLOWNESS AND POWER LAGGING PROBLEMS AFTER HARD BRAKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20090206

AIR BAGS 18%

18% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED BMW TO REPLACE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE AT THAT TIME. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM SINCE TO ARRANGE REPLACEMENT AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200317

TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN WAITING 2 YEARS TO HAVE THIS RECALL DONE. I WAS ONCE SCHEDULED TO GET THE SERVICE AND THEN AFTER I DROPPED OFF THE CAR THEY CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THAT THEY DIDNT HAVE THE PART IN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180105

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: electrical system — 5 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BMW 2009 M3, I NOTICED A RARE BUT VERY DISTURBING PATTERN ON TAKE OFF. I HAD CAR CHECKED IN DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS LIKELY SECONDARY TO MY DRIVING STYLE!

NHTSA ODI report, 20111006

WHILE TRYING TO EXIT MY E92 2009 M3 FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE BY DOUBLE PULLING THE HANDLE IT WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE CAR. THE LOCKING BOLT STICKS UP PARTIALLY WHEN YOU PULL THE HANDLE BUT DOESN'T UNLOCK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150324

400 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAULT WARNING BEGAN TO COME ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS ALL GAUGES BOTTOM OUT QUICKLY THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. SOMETIMES, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM, EDC OR OTHER WARNINGS WILL START.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140121

ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE TAKING A TURN. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AND DRIVE TO A NEARBY PARKING LOT. I DROVE AROUND SLOWLY TO TEST AND NOTICED KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150918

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING MY BMW 2009 M3, I NOTICED A RARE BUT VERY DISTURBING PATTERN ON TAKE OFF. I HAD CAR CHECKED IN DEALER AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS LIKELY SECONDARY TO MY DRIVING STYLE!

NHTSA ODI report, 20111006

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081203 — power train

BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, T

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Campaign 08V595000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161101 — air bags

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.

Campaign 16V071000 — 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

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture