What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2009 BMW M3

Early-defect pattern

50% of complaints about the 2009 BMW M3 came in its first year of service — a higher share than 100% of the 212 2009 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is power train (25 complaints), typically at 8 mo or about 1,800 miles.

Complaints
54
Median age at failure
1.4 yr
Median mileage
5,600 n=47
Crash / fire / tow
3.7% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Power train
25 reports · 1,800 mi
8 mo
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V017000 2020-01-15
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 xDr

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

19V472000 2019-06-19
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.

A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

17V676000 2017-10-25
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.

Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.

16V071000 2016-02-05
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive Sedans, 2009-2011 335d sedans, 2006-2012 325xiT, 328i and 328xi sports wagons, 2007-2013 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive, 335is and M3 Coupes and Convertibles, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i SAVs, 2007-2010 X3 xDrive30i SAVs, 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M SAVs, 2009-2013 BMW X5 xDrive35d SAV

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

08V595000 2008-11-14
Power train:clutch assembly

BMW IS RECALLING 2,500 MY 2008-2009 M3 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH AN OPTIONAL DOUBLE CLUTCH TRANSMISSION. THE PROBLEM INVOLVES THE DOUBLE CLUTCH GEARBOX. IN A SITUATION OF RAPID VEHICLE DECELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE MAY PERFORM A MULTISTAGE DOWNSHIFT.

IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Power train 1,800 mi 5 mo in service
MY 09 BMW M3 WITH DCT IS EXHIBITING GEAR SHIFTING SLOWNESS AND POWER LAGGING PROBLEMS AFTER HARD BRAKING. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS A NEAR REAR END COLLISION TODAY THAT REQUIRED ME TO BRAKE HARD FROM 70MPH, TO 40, SWITCH LANES AND ACCELERATE TO AVOID BEING HIT BY APPROACHING TRAFFIC FROM BEHIND. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE A COUPLE SECONDS. THE LAG WAS LONG ENOUGH THAT THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FORCED TO LEAVE THE ROAD TO AVOID HITTING ME. *TR
Power train 1,500 mi 7 mo in service
WHEN TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS TO 2ND GEAR, SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHEN TURNING. HAPPENS WITH DCT TRANSMISSION WITH LATEST SOFTWARE. MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON BMW MESSAGE BOARDS, AND BMW IS BASICALLY IGNORING US. *TR
Power train 1,200 mi 7 mo in service
THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT LAG FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE IN MY CAR WHICH AT TIMES PREVENTS ME FROM GETTING OUT OF THE WAY OF A POTENTIAL CONFLICT. *TR

Other M3 model years

2011200920082003

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