YearToAvoid

2009 BMW 335i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#3 most-complained of 11 335i years

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

The 2009 BMW 335i has 85 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 80 out of 100 — #3 highest of 11 335i model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is fuel system (33 complaints, 39% of the total). Complaints report 1 crash, 6 fires, and 1 injury.

Complaints
85
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
1 / 6
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
20
17 city / 25.5 hwy

Top 2009 BMW 335i problems

NHTSA owner 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%)
2009 BMW 335i complaints: complaints filed per quarter122010 Q12012 Q22014 Q42016 Q32017 Q42019 Q22020 Q42022 Q4
121 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2010 Q3 (12).

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 a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 BMW 335i ranks #3 of 11 among 335i model years (Complaint Index 80/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 85 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 335i?
The most reported problem areas are fuel system (33 complaints), airbags (29 complaints), and electrical system (19 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 50,000 miles.
Does the 2009 BMW 335i have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 BMW 335i, most recently reported 2024, covering airbags and electrical system.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 BMW 335i?
EPA rates the 2009 BMW 335i at 20 MPG combined (17 city / 25.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,000. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

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.