RoadVitals

2009 BMW 335XI

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 13, 2017
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.
3
Latest Jul 3, 2024
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 BMW 335XI, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and other / unspecified categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 104 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

  • Fuel system1145.8%
  • Engine520.8%
  • Other / unspecified28.3%
  • Steering14.2%
  • Suspension14.2%
  • Airbags14.2%
  • Tires & wheels14.2%
  • Electrical14.2%

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

3 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
24V513000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jul 3, 2024
394,029 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 3 Series Sedan (324i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi), 2006-2012 3 Series Sportswagon (325xi, 328i, 328xi), and 2009-2011 3 Series Sedan (335d) vehicles. 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.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the driver's air bag module as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 30, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
20V017000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 15, 2020
59,965 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335is, 335i xDrive and M3 Coupes, 2006-2011 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i xDrive and M3, 2009-2011 335D, 2006-2012 325xi, 328i, 328xi and 328i xDrive, 2010-2011 X6 ActiveHybrid, 2007-2013 328i, 335i, 335is, M3 Coupes, X5 30si, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 48i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d and 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6M vehicles equipped with non-desiccated driver frontal air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 11, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
BMW of North America, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
17V676000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Oct 25, 2017
702,965 units potentially affected
The defect: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2011 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi and M3, 2007-2011 328i xDrive, 335i xDrive and 335is and 2009-2011 335d vehicles. The wiring and electrical connectors for the system that controls air flow for the heating and air conditioning system may overheat.
The risk: Wiring that overheats could cause the electrical connectors to melt, and increase the risk of a fire, even when the vehicle is unattended.
The remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiring and electrical connectors, free of charge. Interim letters were mailed on November 27, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when the remedy becomes available. Owners may contact BMW customer service 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
Fuel system
Filed May 13, 2017

BMW ISSUED A RECALL - SI B13 14 10 - AND IT COVERS REPLACING INJECTORS, IF THE CAR FALLS UNDER A CERTAIN DATE AND HAS A CERTAIN BATCH OF INJECTOR. MOST IMPORTANTLY, ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RECALL BULLETIN STATES: "WARRANTY INFO" - AND IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS, "THE REPAIR DESCRIBED IN THIS BULLETIN IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY REGARDLESS OF TIME OR MILEAGE." THE CAR HAD THE INJECTOR(S) FAIL A FEW WEEKS AGO, AND VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT STEVENS CREEK BMW. THE DEALERS/MANUFACTURER ARE REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL NOTICE THAT I HANDED TO THEM - EVEN THOUGH IT SPECIFICALLY STATES THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT OR MILEAGE LIMIT TO REPLACING THE INJECTORS... 3 OF THE INJECTORS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL YEARS AGO, BUT 3 WERE NOT, AND THE INJECTOR THAT FAILED IS PART OF THE BATCH THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THE TECHNICIAN DECIDED NOT TO YEARS AGO. THEY ARE SAYING THIS IS NOT A RECALL - ALTHOUGH IT CLEARLY SAYS "VOLUNTARY RECALL". BECAUSE THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT AND THE MILES DO NOT COUNT AGAINST THE RECALL (ACCORDING TO THE BULLETIN) THE INJECTORS SHOULD BE REPLAECD (AND SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN) WITHOUT ANY CUSTOMER NEEDING TO PAY ANYTHING, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR AND THAT IS WHAT IT DIRECTLY SAYS. BUT THE DEALERSHIP (STEVENS CREEK BMW) AND BMW NA OR SAYING THEY WON'T HONOR THE RECALL OR TELL ME WHY. I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO DO BECAUSE MY CAR IS STRANDED OVER THERE AND THEY WANT $3500 TO REPLACE SOMETHING THAT BMW SAYS SHOULD ALREADY BE REPLACED (REGARDLESS OF TIME OR MILEAGE).

NHTSA ID
10985541
Incident
May 12, 2017
Mileage
82,154 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 19, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 335XI. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE REDUCE ENGINE POWER INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FISHTAILED INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

NHTSA ID
10936324
Incident
Dec 18, 2016
Mileage
108,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 19, 2015

VEHICLE IN STRAIGHT, FORWARD MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPROX. 60MPH) AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED DRAMATICALLY. REACHING A SAFE RESTING AREA POSED SIGNIFICANT RISK DUE TO LACK OF WARNING OR DESCRIPTIVE VEHICLE FAULT. SMOKE AND/OR STEAM EMITTING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSE APPEARS TO BE FAULTY ELECTRIC WATER PUMP AT 56,000 MILES/5 YEARS IN SERVICE. SECOND OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ID
10794783
Incident
Nov 17, 2015
Mileage
56,000 mi
EngineSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 19, 2015

TIMING BELT SHREDDED AFTER HITTING A SPEED BUMP FOR THE SECOND TIME AT LOW SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
10726188
Incident
Jun 19, 2015
Mileage
84,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 19, 2015

CAR TAKEN TO DEALER FOR ROUGH IDLE AND POOR PERFORMANCE. TOLD THAT ISSUE WAS WITH FUEL COILS. PAPERWORK STATES THAT COILS NEED TO BE REPLACED. DEFERRED AS ONE OF THE COULD HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED. ON WAY HOME CAR BEGAN TO EMIT WHITE SMOKE. CAR UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP ALREADY REPLACED. HIGH RISK FOR ACCIDENT FOR ULTIMATELY TURNED OUT TO BE 5 FAILED FUEL INJECTORS. BMW KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS FOR RECALL. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE PER MULTIPLE WEB SEARCHES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10695502
Incident
Mar 17, 2015
Mileage
35,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Feb 1, 2015

INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF LED'S IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TAIL LIGHT FOR THE TURN SIGNAL. FIRST STARTED ABOUT 7 MONTHS AGO. NOW NEARLY FULL TIME FAILURE. CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN WHEN CHANGING LANES AND MAKING TURNS IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT WITH NUMEROUS POSTS ON THE WEB. *TR

NHTSA ID
10680403
Incident
Jun 25, 2014
Mileage
18,246 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Dec 18, 2011

VEHICLE OIL TEMP WAS JUST UNDER 250. VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN ACCELERATING ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON AN INCLINE. ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND YOU CAN FEEL THE VEHICLE MISFIRING IN THE GAS PEDDLE. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHAKE IN PARK. DEALER ADVISED TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR 30 MIN BEFORE DRIVING AGAIN. SEEMS TO BE A TEMPORARY FIX UNTIL THE ENGINE TEMP INCREASES TO JUST UNDER 250 OR DRIVING ON A INCLINE ON THE HWY. PREVIOUSLY HAD NO ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE UNTIL DEALER REPLACED A HFP (RECALL NOTICE) DURING AN OIL CHANGE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 11/23/11 THAT THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX. PREVIOUSLY BEEN TOLD INJECTORS WERE MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO PROGRAMMING AND ALSO BAD GAS. I HAVE ALWAYS USED PREMIUM 91+ OCT GAS. RECENTLY THE DEALER PUT IN A FUEL ADDITIVE AND ADVISED ME TO USE SHELL OR CHEVRON PREMIUM GAS IN THE FUTURE. I DROVE OUT THE FUEL ADDITIVE TANK, NO ISSUES AND REFUELED AT SHELL USING PREMIUM 91 POWER V. FORTY FIVE MINUTES LATER, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ON THE HWY ONCE AGAIN AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS FORCED TO SUDDENLY SLOW DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY TO A SPEED / GEAR WHERE I WOULDN'T SHAKE. PREVIOUS DRIVING HISTORY IN EU WITH NO ISSUES ON THE AUTOBAHN AND THE VEHICLE IS A US SPEC. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED TO CA, I DROVE IT TO AZ (800 MILES) WITH NO ISSUES AND CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL SEPT WHEN I HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND MY HFP REPLACED. MY FIRST LONG HWY DRIVE SINCE THE OIL CHANGE / HFP WAS REPLACED, WE ENCOUNTERED THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10440322
Incident
Nov 23, 2011
Mileage
49,000 mi
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Jun 4, 2011

HARD DISK DRIVE IN ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND CREATES DISTRACTION TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10404470
Incident
May 26, 2011
Mileage
11,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

B510819

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

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.

B610322

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The footwell module (FRM) cannot be encoded after replacement.

B011321

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al

B011321

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N54/N54T/N55 ELECTRIC ENGINE COOLANT PUMP . With the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered a nationwide settlement with the plaintiffs in the following class action: Oliver, et al v. BMW NA, et al

B340414

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC; STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused by high thermal stresses during rapid heating and cooling of the brake discs. Braking from high speed with cold brake components (less than 212 degrees F) increases the likelihood of cracks to form.

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 335XI by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016001—
2015211—
2014721—
2013911—
2012210—
2011233049.7
2010113040.5
2009Viewing183050.2
2008613049.3
2007204056.6
2006030—
2005003—

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.