2009 BMW 135i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 BMW 135i has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 3rd worst of 7 model years, with a Caution verdict. Owners logged 29 complaints and 4 recalls, dominated by fuel system failures (55% of complaints) tied to the high-pressure fuel pump.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #3 of 7 135i years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 29
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 17 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2009 BMW 135i problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System16 (55%)
- Electrical System5 (17%)
- Engine5 (17%)
- Airbags3 (10%)
- Brakes1 (3%)
- Other1 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Loss of acceleration at highway speed while the engine kept running, later traced to a faulty fuel pump.
- High-pressure fuel pump failure causing stalling or near-stalling in traffic and at intersections.
- Check engine light paired with sudden power reduction or 'limp mode' during acceleration.
- Long cranking times before startup along with a 'service engine soon' warning.
- Rough running, misfiring, and violent shaking tied to spark plug, ignition coil, or injector issues.
- Airbag recall repairs delayed due to unavailable replacement parts.
2009 BMW 135i recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V017000Jan 15, 2020Airbags59,965 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 19V579000Aug 6, 2019Electrical System41,981 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring
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.
Risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
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. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.
- NHTSA 16V071000Feb 5, 2016Airbags840,000 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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 sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
2009 BMW 135i fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,000
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2009 compared with other 135i years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 BMW 135i reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2009 135i a Complaint Index of 67, the 3rd worst of 7 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other 135i years. The dominant issue was the fuel system, especially the high-pressure fuel pump.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 BMW 135i?
- Fuel system complaints make up 55% of all reports for this year, with a median failure mileage of 7,750 miles, mostly tied to high-pressure fuel pump failures causing stalling or loss of power.
- Does the 2009 BMW 135i have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 135i, covering airbags (two separate campaigns) and electrical system wiring, including the blower-regulator harness and battery cable connector.
- How does the 2009 135i compare to other years?
- The 2009 135i ranks 3rd worst out of 7 years by Complaint Index (67). The 2008 model is worse at 100 (Avoid), while 2012 and 2013 rank better, with 2013 earning a Best verdict at a Complaint Index of 17.