YearToAvoid

2009 BMW 530i Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

No verdict

Complaint Index

7/100

#15 most-complained of 16 530i years

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

The 2009 BMW 530i has 0 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 7 out of 100 — #15 highest of 16 530i model years.

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

Top 2009 BMW 530i problems

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

No component data.

2009 BMW 530i recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V683000Oct 30, 2017Engine740,561 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control:crankcase (pcv)

    BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2011 128i and 2007-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 525i, 525xi, 528i, 528xi, 530i, 530xi, X3 3.0si, X3 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive30i, Z4 3.0i, Z4 3.0si and Z4 sDrive30i vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.

    Risk: An electrical short can cause the parts within the PCV valve to melt, increasing the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is not in use.

    Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notification by the end of October 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

2009 compared with other 530i years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2007Avoid10073221
2008No verdict001—
2009No verdict701—
2010No verdict1301—
2011No verdict2001—

All BMW 530i years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 BMW 530i a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 BMW 530i ranks #15 of 16 among 530i model years (Complaint Index 7/100). It has 0 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
Does the 2009 BMW 530i have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 BMW 530i, most recently reported 2017, covering engine.

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.