The Lemon IndexAll cars · BMW 5 Series · 2009
2009 BMW 5 Series. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 10
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 18 / 28 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | RWD | 18 / 27 / 21 | Premium | $3,700 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4Wheel or AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | 4Wheel or AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | RWD | 17 / 26 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Auto (S6) | 4Wheel or AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 | Premium | $3,850 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | 4Wheel or AWD | 16 / 25 / 19 | Premium | $4,050 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 15 / 22 / 18 | Premium | $4,300 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | Auto (S6) | RWD | 15 / 23 / 18 | Premium | $4,300 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,100 and 115,000 miles. Median 80,000, from 81 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 85,000 | 62,500–117,200 | 25 |
| Fuel or ev drive system | 100,000 | 64,300–124,600 | 25 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 18,500 | 11,900–72,700 | 17 |
| Engine | 38,600 | 9,000–147,900 | 8 |
| Electrical | 84,800 | 30,000–119,300 | 5 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 56% |
| Engine | 28% |
| Equipment adaptive / mobility | 6% |
| Tires | 6% |
| Steering | 6% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 107 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 2
17V683000 Oct 2017 Engine And Engine Cooling / Exhaust System / Emission Control / Crankcase (Pcv)
Defect. 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.
Risk. 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.
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.
13V407000 Sep 2013 Exterior Lighting / Tail Lights
Defect. BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical contact points may cause damage to the ground terminal and housing of the connector resulting in an intermittent or permanent loss of functionality of one or more rear lamp functions (tail, brake, turn-signal, reverse).
Risk. Intermittent light operation reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com.
Manufacturer communications 73
BMW filed 73 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- Complaint of a delayed engagement and a harsh jolt when accelerating from a stop
- ConnectedDrive/BMW Assist System Diagnosis Information
- External Engine Oil Leaks and Repairs
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | Optional |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data