CarModelProblems.com

2009 BMW 328I Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Air Bags — runs 3.8× the fleet median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.
193Complaints
6Recalls
6Crashes
10Fires
3Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Air Bags (32.6% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Air Bags complaints here are 3.8× the median for that category across the 1998 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Air Bags63 · 32.6%RecalledRecall 20V017000 · Recall 24V513000
Electrical System61 · 31.6%RecalledRecall 13V044000 · Recall 19V472000 · Recall 17V676000
Engine47 · 24.4%RecalledRecall 17V683000
Engine And Engine Cooling21 · 10.9%RecalledRecall 17V683000
Fuel/propulsion System20 · 10.4%No official action
Seat Belts14 · 7.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS63 · 32.6%
ENGINE47 · 24.4%
SEAT BELTS14 · 7.3%
STEERING9 · 4.7%
Unspecified / other9 · 4.7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8 · 4.1%
POWER TRAIN8 · 4.1%

Percentages are the share of the 193 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 13V044000 · 2013 · reported 02/07/2013

If there is a loss of electrical power to the vehicle, the vehicle may unexpectedly stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring:fuses And Circuit Breakers

NHTSA campaign 19V472000 · 2019 · reported 06/19/2019

A loss of electrical power can cause the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V017000 · 2020 · reported 01/15/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control:crankcase (pcv)

NHTSA campaign 17V683000 · 2017 · reported 10/30/2017

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 17V676000 · 2017 · reported 10/25/2017

Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 24V513000 · 2024 · reported 07/03/2024

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“TAMARA RECALL: RECALL ON BATTERY TERMINAL; AIR BAG; BLOWER MOTOR; HEAT VALVE: RECALL 10/27/17: NOTIFIED DEALER: NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR ANY RECALL; DON'T KNOW WHEN…”NHTSA complaint 11065392 — filed 01/27/2018 · AIR BAGS
“I HAVE AN AIRBAG WARNING AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL HAS AN AIRBAG RECALL. MANY MECHANICS THAT SPECIALIZE IN…”NHTSA complaint 11063118 — filed 01/16/2018 · AIR BAGS
“AIR BAG LIGHT HAS CAME ON, WHEN I WAS BACKING UP, I HIT A GARBAGE CAN. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE…”NHTSA complaint 11058618 — filed 01/04/2018 · AIR BAGS

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

720121311201418212016487520182510202053220221132024972026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 BMW 328I?

Air bags issues are the most-reported category, cited in 63 of 193 NHTSA complaints (32.6%), followed by electrical system (61), engine (47), engine and engine cooling (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2009 BMW 328I have?

193 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 6 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, and 3 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2009 BMW 328I have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 13V044000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 BMW 328I's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.