2009 BMW 128I Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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.

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.

917,106 vehicles affected

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.

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.

59,965 vehicles affected

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2012 BMW 128i, 135i, 135is Coupes and 128i, 135i Convertible vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors in the blower-regulator wiring harness may overheat.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the blower-regulator wiring harness, and replace it with a new part, free of charge. The recall began October 4, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Note: This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall number 17V-676.

41,981 vehicles affected

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.

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.

740,561 vehicles affected

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 SAVs, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i, and X6 M SACs, 2010-2011 BMW X6 xDrive50i SACs and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

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.

840,000 vehicles affected

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008-2012 1-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured December 2007 through September 2011; and 2007-2011 3-Series coupes and convertibles manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sedans manufactured March 2007 through October 2011; 2007-2011 3-Series sports wagons manufactured March 2007 through June 2011; and 2009-2011 Z4 vehicles manufactured March 2009 through June 2011. In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles. In July 2013, BMW informed the agency that it was adding 1-Series, 3-Series, and Z4 vehicles, representing an additional 12,094 vehicles. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 516,791. The connector for the positive battery cable connector and the corresponding terminal on the fuse box may degrade over time. Over time, the high current flow and heat from electrical resistance may lead to a breakage of the connection, and a loss of electrical power to the vehicle.

Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the positive battery cable connector and secure it with an improved method, free of charge. The recall began on March 13, 2013. Owners may call BMW at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at [email protected].

516,791 vehicles affected

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES

516,791 vehicles affected

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

516,791 vehicles affected

VANOS chamshaft bolts broke, and had to pay $3,200 to replace assembly, and restore timing in engine. There is currently an open recall for 2010+ models but the problem still occurs on 2009 models as well. This is a huge risk for drivers as the car can randomly stall and cause fatal accidents and/or financial burden. This problem has been addressed for earlier models, and needs to be held to the same standard for later models with the same engine.

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 128I. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V119000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

My electric water pump failed and my car overheated 3 times (once resulting in thick white smoke coming from the engine) tow trucks were called and fire department notified. Car is now unused on drive way as it just overheats constantly when turned on.

The contact owns a 2009 BMW 128I. The contact stated the vehicle overheated. There was a hole in the radiator. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed him that the radiator needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V683000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.

Water pump failure Radiator hose disconnected Thermostat Assembly

Broken coolant pipe causing engine to overheat

FIRST WE HAD THE ADAPTIVE HEADLIGHT ERROR CODE, WE ALSO HAD FREQUENT BLOWN BULBS. AFTER PULLING THE COMPLETE UNIT OUT FROM THE CAR NOTICED THAT ALL THE WIRING INSULATION IS CRUMBLING AND FALLING OFF THE WIRING LOOM. MULTIPLE WIRE WERE BONDED TOGETHER CAUSING HEAT AND SHORT CIRCUITS.

THE AIRBAG ON MY VEHICLE WAS REPLACED DURING THE FIRST AIRBAG RECALL. DOES THE AIRBAG NEED TO REPLACED AGAIN?

TAIL LIGHTS DOESN'T WORK

PURCHASED THIS CAR YESTERDAY (06/08/2019), AND AFTER BUYING IT NOTICED THAT THE PROMETER WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE WIPERS, WHICH THEY SAID WOULD BE FIXED, HAD BEEN DISCONNECTED. THE CAR DIED ON ME WHEN WE WERE DRIVING AT AROUND 35 MPH AND ALL LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASH BOARD. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID I BOUGHT THE CAR AS IS AND DID NOT LET ME EVEN TELL HIM ABOUT THE ODOMETER. HE PROMISED TO FIX THE WIPERS ON THURSDAY, THOUGH.

WHEN WE SAW THE CAR WE NOTICED THE WIPERS WERE ON AND WOULD NOT QUIT. THE MANAGER OF THE DEALER TOLD US HE WOULD GET IT FIXED, THAT THIS WAS NO PROBLEM. WHEN WE CAME BACK, THE WIPERS WERE OFF AND WE DID NOT CHECK THEM. AFTER WE LEFT, THE CAR DIED ON US AND ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON ON THE DASH. WE DROVE BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM WE WANTED OUR MONEY BACK, BUT HE SAID THAT WE HAD BOUGHT THE CAR "AS IS" AND THAT MEANT THAT WE HAD NO RECOURSE. I TOLD THEM THAT IF I BUY A CAR FOR THE SAKE TO BE GOOD THE CAR MUST BE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN, BUT HE SAID THAT HE WOULD FIX THE WIPERS ON THURSDAY, BUT THAT'S ALL HE'D DO FOR US.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE REAR WINDOW DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CENTURY BMW (2934 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607, (864) 214-3449) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

DEFECTIVE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT DETECTION MAT SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY GOES ON AND OFF. IF THE ELECTRONIC SENSING MAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILS, THIS WILL DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER (BMW OF FORT WALTON BEACH, 1000 N. BEAL PARKWAY, FORT WALTON BEACH, FL 32547, (850) 863-2167) WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PART WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES THAT PROGRESSED WHILE WAITING TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REMEDY, SUCH AS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AFTER THE DEALER COMPLETED AN AIR BAG RECALL REPAIR AND THE DEALER WAS SERVICING THE COMPUTER TO DETERMINE IF A SENSOR OR THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Fire

NALLEY BMW IS SAYING THEY DO NOT HAVE THIS RECALL ON MY CAR, BUT IT IS COMING UP IN THE RECALL DATABASE AND I AM HEARING A NOISE IN MY CAR (A WHIRRING / HIGH PITCHING HUMMING SOUND) POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER : THIS RECALL INVOLVES AN ENGINE COMPONENT KNOWN AS THE POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) VALVE HEATER.

TAKATA RECALL

DRIVER SIDE LED TAIL LIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT. THE RUNING LIGHTS HAVE THREE BARS THAT HAVE GONE OUT AND HAVE GOT NO HELP FROM LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN FIXING THEM. THERE ARE NEWS ARETICLES OF THE RECALL AFFECTING ALL MODEL YEAR BUT NONE SHOW UP FOR MY CAR EVEN THOUGH IT'S THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TAKATA RECALL---THE BMW IS USED AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE TRAVELING 64 MILES EACH DAY, 5 DAYS A WEEK. I WAS ALERTED TO THE AIR BAG PROBLEM BY THE DEALER. I'VE CONTACTED THE DEALER ON 2 OCCASIONS INQUIRING AS TO THE STATUS OF THE REPLACEMENT BAGS; BOTH CALLS WERE NOT HELPFUL AS I WAS TOLD THAT THE BAGS WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT THERE IS NO DATE AS TO WHEN MY CAR CAN BE REPAIRED. I UNDERSTAND, TOO, THAT THE CAR CAN'T BE SOLD OR TRADED FOR A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE. THIS SCENARIO HAS LEFT ME IN A COMPRIMISED POSITION. I'M DRIVING A CAR THAT HAS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO MY HEALTH AND I CAN'T REPLACE THE CAR WHICH NOW HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT.

WE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM BMW FOR THE AIRBAG A FEW MONTHS AGO BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A DATE WHEN IT WILL BE COMPLETED. IN OUR OPINION, THE OLDER MODELS SHOULD BE REPLACED FIRST DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY.

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED AS IF IT MIGHT STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V044000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/13/16*LJ THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/20/16. *JB

I RECENTLY HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW PASSENGER AIRBAG ON MY 2009 BMW 1 SERIES, SINCE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE CERTAIN BMW VEHICLES WHICH HAD A RECALL DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING PASSENGER AIRBAGS. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE PERSONS AT THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT THE 2009 1 SERIES HAS NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PASSENGER AIRBAG RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AT NIGHT, BOTH TAIL LIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW CAVED IN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THE REAR WINDOW WAS NOT BUILT TO WITHSTAND A LONG DISTANCE DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PARKING LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.