2009 BMW M3 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
54
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
4
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2009 BMW M3
The 2009 BMW M3 has received a total of 54 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES. 4 technical service bulletins have been issued by BMW of North America, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Trainautomatic Transmission (20 complaints), Air Bags (8 complaints), and Electrical System (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2009 BMW M3
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2009 BMW M3, potentially affecting up to 1,655,353 vehicles.
Recall 20V017000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 59,965 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 19V472000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
| 16,641 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a...
View full details →Recall 19V472000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
| 16,641 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a...
View full details →Recall 19V472000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 16,641 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of a...
View full details →Recall 17V676000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 702,965 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 16V071000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 840,000 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
View full details →Recall 08V595000 — POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
| 2,500 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IN THAT SITUATION, AT LOW VEHICLE SPEEDS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE ENGINE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT WITH UPDATED SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 3, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2009 BMW M3
54 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2009 BMW M3. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control Esc | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System Gasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainclutch Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2009 BMW M3. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side turn signal failed to illuminate. Additionally, the headlights and dashboard lights would flicker on and off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the electrical wiring insulation was frayed and damaged. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
The contact owns a 2009 BMW M3. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, the driver’s and passenger’s side turn signal failed to illuminate. Additionally, the headlights and dashboard lights would flicker on and off. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the electrical wiring insulation was frayed and damaged. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.
I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE AIRBAG ON MY CAR. I CONTACTED BMW TO REPLACE BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE AT THAT TIME. I HAVE TRIED TO CONTACT THEM SINCE TO ARRANGE REPLACEMENT AND THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY CALLS.
TAKATA RECALL - I HAVE BEEN WAITING 2 YEARS TO HAVE THIS RECALL DONE. I WAS ONCE SCHEDULED TO GET THE SERVICE AND THEN AFTER I DROPPED OFF THE CAR THEY CALLED ME BACK AND STATED THAT THEY DIDNT HAVE THE PART IN.
TAKATA RECALL DRIVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES ON THE LOCAL STREET AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, LIGHT TURNS GREEN, I TRY TO ACCELERATE AND ENGINE FELT SLUGGISH AND SHUTS OFF. TOWED THE CAR TO MRF ENGINEERING AND CAR NEEDED AN "ENGINE REPLACEMENT" AS MY ROD BEARINGS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. COSTED ROUGHLY AROUND $19,000 IN PARTS AND LABOR.
Safety Rating for the 2009 BMW M3
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2009 BMW M3 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2009 BMW M3
BMW of North America, LLC has issued 4 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2009 BMW M3. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
B640315 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Air Conditioning Cooling is Insufficient or Inoperative. The air conditioner system refrigerant level is low or empty. CAUSE The evaporator is leaking refrigerant.
011214 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
M57 Diesel Engine Throttle Valve (for EGR): Limited Warranty Extension to 10 Years/120,000 Miles. INFORMATION BMW of North America, LLC ("BMW NA") is extending the limited warranty for the M57 diesel engine's throttle valve (for EGR) on the above-referenced vehicle to: 10 years/120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, as determined from...
513608 — STRUCTURE
"Outside Door Mirror Moves when Locking or Unlocking the Vehicle. The door mirror tilts immediately after unlocking or locking. The mirror position does not correspond to the memory position preset by the customer. Pressing the seat memory button typically will return the mirror to the stored position. Poor electrical contacts...
SIB-13-13-10 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
BMW: ON SOME VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAS AN INTERNAL COMPONENT THAT MAY FAIL AND CAUSING DRIVABILITY SYMPTOMS SUCH AS ERRATIC ENGINE OPERATION AND LONGER STARTING TIMES. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2009 BMW M3
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the BMW M3
- 2004 BMW M3 — 36 complaints
- 2005 BMW M3 — 12 complaints
- 2006 BMW M3 — 14 complaints
- 2007 BMW M3 — 0 complaints
- 2008 BMW M3 — 102 complaints
- 2009 BMW M3 (current)
- 2010 BMW M3 — 20 complaints
- 2011 BMW M3 — 41 complaints
- 2012 BMW M3 — 6 complaints
- 2013 BMW M3 — 17 complaints
- 2014 BMW M3 — 0 complaints