Known Recalls

Model year record

2009 BMW 3 Series

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 74 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V119000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)
Manufacturer
BMW of North America, LLC
Vehicles affected
917,106
Reported to NHTSA
2022-03-02
Owners notified
2022-07-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An electrical short can cause the PCV valve heater to overheat, increasing the risk of a fire while driving or, soon after driving when parked.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags1575,000 mi
Electrical system859,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system689,800 mi
Engine559,700 mi
Exterior lighting532,500 mi
Unknown or other468,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline317,000 mi
Seat belts375,000 mi
Seats384,000 mi
Steering370,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling238,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission217,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)189,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine135,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility180,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel159,700 mi
Fuel system, other1—
Power train198,790 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid1—
Structure12,000 mi
Tires1—
Visibility1—
Visibility/wiper1150,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior1—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly178,000 mi
Visibility: windshield15,500 mi

The 2008 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2010 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.