The Lemon Index2009 BMW 3 Series.
The 2009 BMW 3 Series is worse than average by owner complaints: 90 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 122, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about fuel system, gasoline, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 to 22 mpg combined. The best BMW 3 Series year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 433 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every BMW 3 Series year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 18K to 98K miles on the car (279 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 51K–101K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 51K–100K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 58K–111K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2024
The original steering wheel may have been replaced with a sport or M-sport steering wheel equipped with an inflator that can explode during deployment.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2019
The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse box terminal may degrade, resulting in an intermittent loss of electrical power.
Show all 6 recalls
- engine 2017
The heater for the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve may short circuit.
- electrical 2017
The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
- electrical 2013
In February 2013, BMW recalled 504,545 vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems BMW told dealers about
BMW sent dealers 218 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information This Service Information bulletin…
- "repairing transfer case actuator (vtg servo-motor)
- Shudder from the Driveline on Vehicles with xDrive
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3600–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
During routine driving there is a sudden loss of power due to a defective high pressure fuel pump. The pump has already been replaced once by BMW and the car is going back into the shop for a second time to replace the pump again.
2009 BMW 3 Series owner · NHTSA complaint 10334361
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10265033
M-dct transmission lag. When you're turning and cars may be coming at you there is no power, causing serious endangerment.
NHTSA complaint 10277564
Quick answers
Is the 2009 BMW 3 Series reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 122; 100 is average, lower is better). The best BMW 3 Series year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2009 BMW 3 Series problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (39%), transmission & drivetrain (32%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 BMW 3 Series get?
20 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 BMW 3 Series problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 18,400 and 98,000 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 279 complaints.
Does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 32% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 BMW 3 Series cost in fuel a year?
About $3600 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 BMW 3 Series have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What BMW 3 Series year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2019 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works