YearToAvoid

2009 BMW 328i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#4 most-complained of 12 328i years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2009 BMW 328i has 193 complaints, a complaint index of 73, and ranks 4th worst out of 12 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine, electrical, and airbag problems dominate, backed by 6 recalls including battery cable and PCV valve fixes.

Complaints
193
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
6 / 10
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 26 hwy

Top 2009 BMW 328i problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine70 (36%)
  2. Electrical System65 (34%)
  3. Airbags63 (33%)
  4. Fuel System22 (11%)
  5. Seat Belts14 (7%)
  6. Structure & Body11 (6%)
  7. Other10 (5%)
  8. Brakes9 (5%)
  9. Steering9 (5%)
  10. Transmission & Powertrain8 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report fires starting under the hood while the engine was off or idling, sometimes destroying engine components.
  • Smoke and burning smells come through the vents while driving, accompanied by a check engine light.
  • Airbag warning lights stay on without deployment, and in some cases Takata airbags deployed improperly during crashes.
  • Electrical failures cause dash lights, horn, and windshield wipers to malfunction unpredictably, creating driving hazards.
  • Owners tied to the engine cooling recall (22V119000) report waiting long periods for replacement parts while smoke or smell issues continued.
2009 BMW 328i complaints: complaints filed per quarter272011 Q42013 Q42015 Q32017 Q22019 Q12021 Q12023 Q22025 Q4
287 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2026 Q1; peak 2018 Q1 (27).

2009 BMW 328i recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V513000Jul 3, 2024Airbags394,029 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    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.

  2. 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.

  3. NHTSA 19V472000Jun 19, 2019Electrical System16,641 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers

    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.

    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. Note: This recall is an expansion of a previous recall, number 18V-314.

See all 6 recalls for the 2009 BMW 328i →

2009 BMW 328i fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17 MPG
Highway
26 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 328i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid91398621
2008Caution64239521
2009Caution73193620
2010Good45155620
2011Avoid100577720

All BMW 328i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 BMW 328i reliable?
It carries a Caution verdict based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 73 and 193 complaints, ranking 4th worst among the 12 model years with data.
What are the most common problems on the 2009 BMW 328i?
Engine complaints account for 36% of reports, followed by electrical system issues at 34% and airbag issues at 33%, per NHTSA complaint data.
Does the 2009 BMW 328i have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2009 328i, covering airbags, the positive battery cable connection, engine PCV valve heater, and electrical wiring connectors.
At what mileage do problems typically show up on the 2009 328i?
Median mileage at failure varies by system: engine problems at 98,500 miles, electrical issues at 75,000 miles, and airbag issues at 68,725 miles.
Is the 2009 328i better or worse than other years?
It ranks 4th worst of 12 years tracked, better than the 2007, 2011, and 2013 model years which carry Avoid verdicts, but worse than the 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016 model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.