RoadVitals

2009 BMW 1 Series

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest May 22, 2019
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Aug 10, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 BMW 1 Series, most frequently naming the airbags, exterior lighting and electrical categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 53 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags730.4%
  • Exterior lighting626.1%
  • Electrical417.4%
  • Interior & seats14.3%
  • Other / unspecified14.3%
  • Seat belts14.3%
  • Tires & wheels14.3%
  • Driver assistance14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
12E029000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Aug 10, 2012
585 units potentially affected
The defect: This recall involves aftermarket parts sold by Valeo. Valeo is recalling certain engine cooling fans, part numbers 696121, 696273, and 696275, used as service replacement parts for model year 2008-2011 BMW 1-Series, 2006-2011 BMW 3-Series, 2000-2009 BMW 5-Series, 2004-2005 BMW 6-Series, and 2006-2007 BMW 7-Series vehicles. A metal-oxide semiconductor may overheat due to insufficient screwing of the semiconductor on the aluminum heat sink. This primary failure could cause adjacent components on the fan assembly motor circuit board to overheat and short.
The risk: This condition could cause the fan motor to become inoperative, or cause the motor circuit board in the assembly to overheat, potentially leading to a fire in the engine compartment.
The remedy: Valeo will notify owners and replace the fans free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2012. This recall is being conducted by Valeo, not by BMW. For further information, owners may contact Valeo at 1-888-718-2536.
ValeoView on NHTSA.gov
10V254000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Jun 10, 2010
31,935 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2011 1-SERIES VEHICLES. IN A CRASH OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, DEPLOYMENT OF THE FRONT PRE-TENSIONER AND LOAD-LIMITER OCCURS.
The risk: THE INSULATION AROUND THE PRE-TENSIONER COULD IGNITE.
The remedy: VEHICLES PRODUCED UP THROUGH DECEMBER 2009 WILL RECEIVE NEW FRONT SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR UNITS AND A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS, WHILE VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN JANUARY 2010 AND MAY 2010 WILL RECEIVE A MODIFICATION TO THE SOUND INSULATION NEAR THE UNITS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-525-7417.
BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLCView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 18
Electrical
Filed May 22, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 1 SERIES. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER, BUT NO AIR FLOWED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ELECTRONIC BURNING ODOR AND TURNED OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BMW OF BAYSIDE (LOCATED AT 266 E SHORE RD, GREAT NECK, NY 11023, (516) 304-3700) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,657.

NHTSA ID
11209347
Incident
May 16, 2019
Mileage
108,657 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 10, 2018

I WAS DRIVING 40MPH AND THEN SUDDENLY ALL LIGHT CONTROLS LIT UP ON MY DASHBOARD AFTER I NOTICED I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE, THEN MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON SLOWLY WITHOUT MYSELF OPERATING THEM , AS MY CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP/ENGINE OFF. AFTER CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAITING 10 MINS, THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. RECENTLY REPAIRED PVC RECALL AND UNCERTAIN IF PCV WAS DETRIMENTAL TO OTHER COMPONENTS THAT WERE NOT REPLACED DUE TO THE PCV. BATTERY READ AS GOOD PER MECHANIC.

NHTSA ID
11072056
Incident
Feb 10, 2018
Mileage
122,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 18, 2017

FOR LAST 16 MONTHS BMW OF NORTH AMERICA HAS NOT FIX THE PROBLEM ON EXPENSE OF MY OWN SAFETY. WHEN VISITED BMW DEALERSHIP THEY SAY THAT BMW HAS NO SOLUTION TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM YET. I AM DRIVING EVERY DAY THIS CAR COMPROMISING MY OWN SAFETY. WHEN I WANT TO SELL THIS CAR I CAN'T GET FAIR VALUE PRICE DUE TO THE RECALL PROBLEM. POTENTIAL BUYER CHECK CAR SAFETY RECALL AND DO NOT BUY CAR WHICH IS LISTED AS A UNSAFE. BMW IGNORE ALL PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ID
10986311
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed Dec 28, 2016

TAKATA RECALL. NOTHING HAS HAPPEN JUST WANT MY AIRBAGS REPLACED BEEN WAITING A LONG, LONG TIME AND I HAVEN'T HEARD A THING ON RECALL REPAIRS

NHTSA ID
10938357
Incident
Feb 5, 2016
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 16, 2016

RIGHT REAR ROADSIDE PARKING AND TAIL LAMP LED FAILED. THESE LAMPS SHOULD NOT FAIL WITHIN THIS TIME FRAME. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS ISSUE UNTIL I WAS WAMING UP CAR AND CLEANING OFF SNOW WHEN I SAW THE DIFFERENCE.

NHTSA ID
10935634
Incident
Dec 9, 2016
Mileage
44,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 13, 2016

TAKATA RECALL: MY DRIVER AIR BAG HAVE YET TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS FROM FEBRUARY 5, 2016. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR OUTSIDE OF MY TOWN FOR FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS A SIN!!! IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR. I AM EVEN WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IN TOWN BUT TRUSTING MY LORD AND SAVIOR FOR MY LIFE SAFETY. TAKATA NEEDS TO GET THE JOB DONE FOR ALL OF US. *TR

NHTSA ID
10934930
Incident
Feb 5, 2016
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Sep 9, 2016

WE RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE AIRBAGS RECALL OVER THREE MONTHS AGO, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALER, REEVES BMW, THAT THE PROMISE PARTS WERE TO BE RECEIVED BY END OF SUMMER, ARE NOT YET RECEIVED AND THEY CANNOT REPAIR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
10905060
Incident
Sep 9, 2016
Airbags
Filed Sep 4, 2016

TAKATA RECALL WE WERE ADVISED BY LETTER IN FEBRUARY 2016 THAT OUR MODEL HAD A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG, AND THAT WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN A SOLUTION WAS AVAILABLE. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER AND STILL NO NOTICE FROM BMW. CONSIDERING THE FACT THAT OLDER MODEL CARS AND CARS IN DAMP HUMID CLIMATES (WE LIVE IN FLORIDA) WOULD RECEIVE FIRST PRIORITY, SHOULDN'T WE HAVE HEARD BACK FROM BMW BY NOW?

NHTSA ID
10903555
Incident
Feb 26, 2016

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle “discharged battery” complaints.

SB23-01

EQUIPMENT; STEERING; SUSPENSION

Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471

sb23-01TMS

EQUIPMENT; STEERING; SUSPENSION

This is the companion to SPL Parts, Inc.'s SB 23-01 mailed by private label independent distributor Turner Motorsports.

SB 23-01

EQUIPMENT; STEERING; SUSPENSION

SPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for dedicated competition vehicles and "track day" cars some of which may be used on both track and highway. SB 23-01 adresses proper installation torque of cap bolt fasteners attaching SPL's aftermarket lower control arms, recurring inspection and confirmation of torque setting and removal and replacement of damaged or under torqued fasteners to reduce risk of premature failure and accident. SB-23-01 was mailed, emailed and posted on SPL website to known resellers, race teams and users of the affected parts and is being submitted here as required by part 579.5. Vehicle Applications include: BMW series 1,2,3,& 4, 2008-2023; Chevrolet Camaro 26-2023, Cadillac ATS, CTS 2016-2019; Ford Mustang 2015-2023; Toyota Supra 2020-2023.

B611305

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process over the last few years. This has led to increased demands being placed on the battery. This document covers important information for the dealer on how to handle "discharged battery" complaints. In order to properly repair the vehicle the first time in the workshop, it is very important that the diagnostic test plans are performed to completion, with all results taken into consideration. Without performing the energy diagnosis test plan, the root cause of the discharged battery cannot be identified. This increases the chances of a repeat repair.

B650709

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

NAVIGATION SYSTEM: REPORTING MISSING OR INCORRECT ROAD MAP DATA: The route guidance is inaccurate and therefore irritating to the customer; or it is not possible to locate certain addresses, for instance:

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

BMW 1 Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2012010—
2011333045.9
2010830—
2009Viewing182038.6
2008183043.5
2007600—
2006500—
2005300—
2004300—
2003100—
2002100—
2001100—
2000100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.