YearToAvoid

2009 BMW 335i Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2009 BMW 335i ranks 3rd worst of 11 model years, with a complaint index of 80 and 85 complaints including 6 fires. Fuel System issues drive 39% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 14,000 miles, earning it an Avoid verdict relative to other 335i years.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
80/100
#3 of 11 335i years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
85
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
1
reported in complaints
Fires
6
Injuries
1
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2015
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Top 2009 BMW 335i problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System33 (39%)
  2. Airbags29 (34%)
  3. Electrical System19 (22%)
  4. Engine17 (20%)
  5. Seat Belts6 (7%)
  6. Structure & Body4 (5%)
  7. Brakes3 (4%)
  8. Other3 (4%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain3 (4%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (2%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report the high-pressure fuel pump failing and triggering a reduced-power warning, sometimes causing the car to stall in traffic.
  • Some describe the engine losing power and the check-engine light coming on with a reduced-power or engine-failure message, occasionally leaving the car stranded.
  • Several owners report electrical fires starting near the battery cable, blower motor wiring, or engine bay, in some cases while the car was parked overnight.
  • One owner reported wiring related to a prior recall (17V-676) catching fire and spreading through the vehicle.
  • A separate complaint describes the positive battery cable heating up and arcing near the distribution box, causing a fire above the battery.
2009 BMW 335i complaints: complaints filed per quarter112010 Q12012 Q22014 Q42016 Q32017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q4
85 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2010 Q3 (11).

2009 BMW 335i 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 17V676000Oct 25, 2017Electrical System702,965 vehicles

    Electrical system:wiring

    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. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system 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 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. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

See all 4 recalls for the 2009 BMW 335i →

2009 BMW 335i 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 335i 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
2007Avoid100288520.5
2008Avoid90201420
2009Avoid8085420
2010Caution6041420
2011Caution7098721.5

All BMW 335i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 BMW 335i reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 335i ranks 3rd worst among 11 model years with a complaint index of 80, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other 335i years.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 335i?
NHTSA complaints show Fuel System issues make up 39% of complaints, followed by Airbags at 34% and Electrical System problems at 22%, the latter including 6 reported fires.
Does the 2009 BMW 335i have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 335i covering airbags (twice) and electrical wiring/connectors, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
What year BMW 335i should I avoid?
The 2007 model year has the highest complaint index at 100 and is also rated Avoid, followed by 2008 at 90 and 2009 at 80, all worse than later years like 2015, rated Best with an index of 20.
At what mileage do 2009 BMW 335i fuel system problems occur?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 14,000 miles for Fuel System complaints on the 2009 335i, indicating the issue tends to appear early in the vehicle's life.

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.