YearToAvoid

2009 BMW 328xi Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

30/100

#8 most-complained of 11 328xi years

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

The 2009 BMW 328xi has 11 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 30 out of 100 — #8 highest of 11 328xi model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is electrical system (5 complaints, 45% of the total). Complaints report 1 injury.

Complaints
11
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2009 BMW 328xi problems

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

  1. Electrical System5 (45%)
  2. Fuel System4 (36%)
  3. Engine3 (27%)
  4. Airbags2 (18%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (18%)
  6. Brakes1 (9%)
2009 BMW 328xi complaints: complaints filed per month6Nov 2015Feb 2017Aug 2017Mar 2018May 2018
17 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2015 to May 2018; peak May 2018 (6).

2009 BMW 328xi recalls

4 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 4 recalls for the 2009 BMW 328xi →

2009 compared with other 328xi years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020062007200820092010201120122013201420152016
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid100198420
2008Avoid9099320
2009Good30114—
2010Caution50173—
2011Avoid80673—

All BMW 328xi years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 BMW 328xi a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 BMW 328xi ranks #8 of 11 among 328xi model years (Complaint Index 30/100, verdict: Good). It has 11 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 328xi?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (5 complaints), fuel system (4 complaints), and engine (3 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 100,000 miles.
Does the 2009 BMW 328xi have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 BMW 328xi, most recently reported 2024, covering airbags and electrical system.

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.