2009 BMW 5 Series Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 BMW 5 Series has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 5th out of 9 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 8 complaints and 3 recalls, with fuel system problems making up half of reported issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #5 of 9 5 Series years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 8
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
Top 2009 BMW 5 Series problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System4 (50%)
- Electrical System2 (25%)
- Engine2 (25%)
- Airbags1 (13%)
- Brakes1 (13%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Fuel system failures include stalling and violent jerking, with the high pressure fuel pump warning light coming on before loss of power at highway speed.
- Engine problems include a camshaft sensor issue tied to stalling on the freeway, described by owners as similar to a later BMW recall for 528i camshaft sensors.
- An engine malfunction warning message with reduced power appeared while driving at low speed on a surface street.
- A brake failure was reported where the pedal went to the floor and the car rolled forward into a wall at low mileage, with the dealer unable to find a fault.
- An electrical issue involved a melted grounding wire in the taillight connector, cutting out brake and running lights, which owners compared to a recall issued for a related BMW model.
- A Takata airbag recall notice was received but not completed by the dealer, alongside an unrelated report of smelling gas near the fuel tank while parked.
2009 BMW 5 Series recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V119000Mar 2, 2022Engine917,106 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 1 Series Coupe (128i); 2007-2013 3 Series Coupe (328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive); 2007-2010 X3 SAV (X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i); 2008-2013 1 Series Convertible (128i); 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi); 2006-2012 3 Series Wagon (328i, 328i xDrive); 2007-2013 3 Series Convertible (328i); 2006-2010 5 Series Sedan (525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi); 2006-2007 5 Series Wagon (530xi); 2007-2010 X5 SAV (X5 3.0si, X5 xDrive30i); 2006-2008 Z4 Coupe (Z4 3.0si); and 2006-2011 Z4 Roadster (Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si, Z4 sDrive30i) vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
Risk: An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.
Remedy: This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Dealers will install an electrical wiring harness with fuse protection for the PCV Valve heater in potentially affected vehicles, free of charge. This recall supersedes and expands previous NHTSA recalls 17V-683 and 19V-273. Vehicles previously repaired under the prior recalls will need to come back for the new recall remedy. The remedy is currently being developed. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 1, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 22, 2022. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 12V126000Mar 26, 2012Electrical System367,682 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, model year 2004-2010 6-series, model year 2006-2010 m5, and model year 2007-2010 m6 vehicles. The insulated bulkhead connector for the positive battery cable may have been incorrectly attached to the trunk floor panel, which can lead to a loosening of the bolt connection. As it loosens, an increase in electrical resistance at this cable connection is possible and could cause the cable connection to overheat.
Risk: Overheating could lead to a fire, even while the vehicle is not in use. As a precaution, owners are advised to park outside until the remedy has been made.
Remedy: Bmw will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and secure the battery bolt cable connection as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 30, 2012. Owners may contact bmw customer relations and services at 1-800-525-7417.
- NHTSA 10V446000Oct 1, 2010Brakes198,352 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Bmw is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 5-series, 6-series, and model year 2002-2008 7-series vehicles. A check valve of the brake vacuum pump may leak a small amount of lubricating oil. Over time this could result in contamination of the brake booster.
Risk: Power assist braking performance could be adversely affected. In extreme cases there could be a complete loss of power assist braking. An unexpected reduction or loss in power braking assist may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Bmw will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on november 24, 2010. Owners may contact bmw at 1-800-525-7417.
2009 compared with other 5 Series years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 BMW 5 Series reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2009 BMW 5 Series has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 5th out of 9 model years, with a Caution verdict relative to other 5 Series years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 5 Series?
- Fuel system issues account for half of the 8 complaints NHTSA lists, followed by electrical system and engine problems, each at 25%.
- Does the 2009 BMW 5 Series have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2009 BMW 5 Series, covering the engine wiring, electrical battery cable connector, and a brake vacuum pump check valve.
- How does the 2009 5 Series compare to other years?
- The 2009 model's Complaint Index of 50 is better than 2006, 2008, and 2011, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 75, 100, and 88, but worse than 2010's Best verdict at 13 and 2007's and 2012's Good verdicts.