2009 BMW 328XI Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 BMW 328XI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical527.8%
- Fuel system422.2%
- Engine316.7%
- Airbags211.1%
- Powertrain (other)211.1%
- Driver assistance15.6%
- Exterior lighting15.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER (UNION PARK BMW, 1900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (866) 455-4444) CONFIRMED PART UNAVAILABILITY AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
2009 328XI BMW FIRST BATTERY GOES DEAD,ONE MONTH LATER CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING,BMW SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND HOSE,THEY FIXED THAT,WHILE AT DEALER THEY SAID FAULTY CODE CAME UP FOR ALTERNATOR . ALL THIS WITHIN 1 MONTH. NO SIGNS OF LIGHTS DIM,CAR NOT STARTING,HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AND WITH NO WARNING.SEEMS THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE.DEALER FIXED FUEL PUMP.BUT HOW DOES ALTERNATOR GO WITH NO SIGNS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 328XI BMW FIRST BATTERY GOES DEAD,ONE MONTH LATER CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING,BMW SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND HOSE,THEY FIXED THAT,WHILE AT DEALER THEY SAID FAULTY CODE CAME UP FOR ALTERNATOR . ALL THIS WITHIN 1 MONTH. NO SIGNS OF LIGHTS DIM,CAR NOT STARTING,HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AND WITH NO WARNING.SEEMS THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE.DEALER FIXED FUEL PUMP.BUT HOW DOES ALTERNATOR GO WITH NO SIGNS.
2009 328 XI BMW WITH 120K FUEL PUMP JUST BREAKS. BMW REPLACED FOR FREE DUE TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND RECALL INFO,THIS SUCH BE A NATIONAL RECALL AS SOMEONES CAR CAN JUST STOP WHILE DRIVING,AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER (UNION PARK BMW, 1900 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (866) 455-4444) CONFIRMED PART UNAVAILABILITY AND DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD BE SUPPLIED FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V676000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND 17V683000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. CONCOURS MOTORS IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53209 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER PATRICK BMW LOCATED AT 700 E GOLF RD SCHAUMBURG IL 60175, PHONE NUMBER: 847-843-4000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. (PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT).
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 328XI. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V071000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PART DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 328XI BMW FIRST BATTERY GOES DEAD,ONE MONTH LATER CAR STOPS WHILE DRIVING,BMW SAID IT WAS FUEL PUMP AND HOSE,THEY FIXED THAT,WHILE AT DEALER THEY SAID FAULTY CODE CAME UP FOR ALTERNATOR . ALL THIS WITHIN 1 MONTH. NO SIGNS OF LIGHTS DIM,CAR NOT STARTING,HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE AND WITH NO WARNING.SEEMS THERE IS A BIGGER ISSUE.DEALER FIXED FUEL PUMP.BUT HOW DOES ALTERNATOR GO WITH NO SIGNS.
THERE IS A BLUE LEAK ON THE GROUND COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE, MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID WAS FILLED UP AND WENT EMPTY WITH INT WEEKS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM GULF SHORES ALABAMA MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE POWER WENT OFF ON THE RADIO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND AN SOS BUTTON CAME ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND IT WAS TORRENTIAL RAINS AND TOTAL DARKNESS ON INTERSTATE 75. WHEN I COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET OVER TO THE BRIM I GOOGLED THE CODES THAT WERE FLASHING AND WAS GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND VISIBILITY ( WITH THE RAIN ) WAS IMPOSSIBLE. SEVERAL VARIOUS CODES CONTINUED TO POP UP AND THIS HAPPENED UNTIL WE ARRIVD AT OUR DESTINATION. IT WAS IF THE WHOLE COMPUTER BOARD HAD GONE HAYWIRE .EVERY CODE IMAGINABLE CAME ON AND WE HAD TO STOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET THE CAR GOING. SINCE THEN MY BMW WILL NOT START UNLESS THE BATTERY IS CHARGED. IT SAYS BATTERY DISCHARGING OR BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SO I HAVE TO KEEP BATTERY CABLES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. SO LAST NIGHT I'M HAVING THE AIRBAG CODE COME ON WHICH I DO HAVE A RECALL ON THAT, AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE VARIOUS CODES INVOLVED WHICH I WILL ATTACH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM GULF SHORES ALABAMA MY HEADLIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE POWER WENT OFF ON THE RADIO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND AN SOS BUTTON CAME ON. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND IT WAS TORRENTIAL RAINS AND TOTAL DARKNESS ON INTERSTATE 75. WHEN I COULD SEE WELL ENOUGH TO GET OVER TO THE BRIM I GOOGLED THE CODES THAT WERE FLASHING AND WAS GIVEN FURTHER INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO GET MY CAR STARTED AGAIN. THE HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING ON AND OFF AND VISIBILITY ( WITH THE RAIN ) WAS IMPOSSIBLE. SEVERAL VARIOUS CODES CONTINUED TO POP UP AND THIS HAPPENED UNTIL WE ARRIVD AT OUR DESTINATION. IT WAS IF THE WHOLE COMPUTER BOARD HAD GONE HAYWIRE .EVERY CODE IMAGINABLE CAME ON AND WE HAD TO STOP TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET THE CAR GOING. SINCE THEN MY BMW WILL NOT START UNLESS THE BATTERY IS CHARGED. IT SAYS BATTERY DISCHARGING OR BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED SO I HAVE TO KEEP BATTERY CABLES WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. SO LAST NIGHT I'M HAVING THE AIRBAG CODE COME ON WHICH I DO HAVE A RECALL ON THAT, AS WELL. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PICTURES OF THE VARIOUS CODES INVOLVED WHICH I WILL ATTACH.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .